Warning, it'll be a little slower in the first few chapters, but if you can get through it I promise it'll be better before you know it.

Also, thank you for your reviews/tips. I thought might happen and indeed be the case, as I said above, it will be slow at first, but I appreciate you sticking with it. I also get that I probably didn't explain it well, so here's a brief explanation of the bits I think are probably a bit confusing. First, where and when; the one who was narrating in the first bit, is, as I said, Catherine, the abbreviation 'Catrin', is a nickname of hers, and it has to do with the pronunciation of her name by the Singaporean accent, which leads me to the other half of this point. The story at its very beginning takes place in Singapore, in around February during Chinese New Year, and at hers cousin's place.

Also, here's a key when I comes to some of the names, cause currently the names I've been using are Chinese words for things, and nicknames;

Jiu Mu – means; 'Auntie', her actual name is Shirley, but as it's more traditional this is what is generally used.

Jiu Jiu – means; 'Uncle', his actual name is Joseph, or Joe. He is also the one that connects the families, being Catherine's mother, Nancy's, brother.

Lena – as you might have guessed, refers to the younger of the two sisters, Alena, her being one year older than Catherine.

Licia – refers to Alicia, the older of the two, being 21, she is 5 years older than Alena.

For future reference, I will include; Da Yi Jiang – this also means 'Uncle', only it's a way of distinguishing between uncles, this one meaning; 'Big uncle'.

Da Yi – also 'Auntie', but has the same reasoning as above.

Gong Gong and Ma Ma – means; 'Grandfather' and 'Grandmother', though despite using this name for them, they are not directly Catherine's grandparents, they are actually Shirley's parents, her cousins grandparents, as her two grandparents on her mother's side died a long time ago.

Yeesh, that expo was actually a heap longer than I intended, but whatever, it's worth it if it clears things up, which hopefully it does.

This when it starts to get a little more serious, so bear with me. (and not to worry, the autobots will be showing up soon, just not in this chapter.)

I think that it should be advised that this chapter in its late parts may get a little disconcerting.

Warnings : It might get to be what some may consider as angst, and contain a bit of (not to spoil it, but) possibly tragedy. Cursing will apply in some chapters.

Now enough exposition, onto the chapter before I bore you even more than I already have.

Chapter 1

3rd POV

Slumping down on the couch, she wrapped one leg over the other in front of her, sinking into the couch.

As the warmth of a hand rested on her shoulder, she relaxed and waited for the presence, knowing it was Alena, to settle down.

Joining her in resting on the couch herself, Alena tilted her head to rest it on Catherine's shoulder. In return, she laid her head on top of hers, a soft smile making its way onto her features.

The two sat quietly for a while, both content in their current position. Silently watching the tv while enjoying each other's company, occasionally closing their eyes for a rest.

Strands of their long waterfall of hair intertwining with each other's, cascading elegantly over their shoulders, creating an appealing flow of combined black and brown locks.

They heard a call from the kitchen as they carefully unwrapped their heads, looking over to see Nancy hurrying to the dining table with two bowls in hand, quickly setting them down, making a small click as she did so.

One after the other they both stood up and sauntered over to the table, the first to rise beckoning the second to follow, shooting a curt smile her way. Taking a seat next to each other on the long cushioned bench.

(time skip 1 hour)

As a knock on the door once again sounded, more people poured in, increasing the already near deafening volume of the growing party.

The house was full, everyone had come to celebrate, Da Yi, Da Yi Jiang, even Gong Gong and Ma Ma, even more surprising was Nicki (Jiu Mu's niece) and her family. It was the first time in years that the whole family had been together for Chinese New Year.

As Catherine was pulled into another round of firm hugs and loud greetings, she felt her mother tapping her on the shoulder as she was released from the last of the tight grips.

"Catherine, can you go down and get the duck, it should be ready by now." She almost yelled, handing her a wallet and the order receipt.

"Kay, I'll be back in a few minutes."

Grabbing her bag and stuffing in a set of keys, she said goodbye as she walked out the door and down the 11 flights of stairs, passing under the large apartment building and across the street to the food court and market.

(skip 30 minutes)

Crossing back over the road, bags in hand, she caught a whiff of what smelled like smoke, passing under one of the buildings and emerging back into the open, she looked up towards the apartment, the sunlight temporarily blocking her vision as her eyes adjusted to the harsh light. Suddenly her mouth fell open, gawking at the sight before her.

The building was on fire.

Dropping the shopping bag she sprinted towards the building, dumbstruck by the event unfolding right before her eyes. She was shocked to disbelief, not willing to believe what she was seeing was real.

Pushing through the crowd of gathering onlookers and firefighters, she very nearly shrieked at anyone who stood in her way. "Let me through! My family! They're up there!"

Stepping in front of her a puffed up sweaty fireman attempted to turn her back, "I'm sorry miss, but it's too dangerous!"

"I said let me through!" With a punch that just about knocked him out, she burst through the line of firefighters and ran into the building.

She sprinted up the staircases, ignoring the blazing heat and burning in her legs, bounding up all 11 floors as fast as she could.

She finally reached the eleventh floor and bound towards the door. Though it had only taken her a few minutes to get there, to her it had seemed like an eternity.

She grabbed the first, metal door's handle and tried with all her strength to pry it open, ignoring the burning metal between her hands, but the door was jammed. 'Why? Why now? That door hardly ever jammed, so why now of all times.'

She reached frantically for her keys, fumbling slightly before jamming them into the second door. She thrust it open with all her might, just about throwing the burning door off its hinges. She clasped both her hands onto the bars of the first door, shaking it frantically, hoping to somehow unjam it, ignoring the pain in her hands from the burning of her skin.

She pressed her face to the bars and screamed, looking around for any sign of them. "MUM! DAD! ALICIA! ALENA! JIUMU! ANYONE!"

She stepped back and started kicking the door, smashing it with everything she had, trying her hardest to break it open. Each attack shaking her own body from the force, but no matter how hard she tried, it wouldn't open.

Tears were beginning to pour from her eyes. She paused momentarily then began to scream once more. "MUM! DAD! PLEASE ANSWER ME! YOU NEED TO GET OUT! MUM! DAD!" She continued kicking the door, hardly stopping for a second between kicks, becoming more and more frustrated by the second. She was absolutely desperate to get it open, and in that moment she would have done anything to achieve that.

Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind, an arm tightly slung around her waist. "Come on miss, you have to go!" The fireman shouted as he pulled her away.

"NO! LET ME GO! MUMMY! DADDY!" Her heart broke and tears streamed down her cheeks, her outstretched hand wanting nothing more than to grab onto the burning bars of the door and find a way inside.

… Well that was a little depressing, I can tell you now it was hard to write, and though it sounds bad, I hope it was sad for you to read too.

Hope you guys liked this chapter better than the last one.