I deeply apologize for copying the idea of "Two Louds Left" by Coldwarnick. Thankfully, Coldwarnick gave me permission for it.
Hey there, Darney J here as the publisher again. I hope that you will enjoy reading this. The whole story is going to be written by Seanrudin, I'm only a publisher and the one who suggested ideas.
The Louds has prepared long for it. Lynn Senior had finished loading the Vanzilla with two cool boxes that contains grilled food. They are going to do a picnic at Forest Hill.
"Children, get in the car. We have to go." said Lynn Sr.
"I hope we have everything with us." said Rita.
"I've checked everything. It's all there." said Lincoln.
"Then we can drive off." said Lynn Sr.
The Louds boarded Vanzilla. Lynn got in the back left, next to Lana. Leni sat down between Lily, who was sitting on her left, and Luan on her right. As starts the vehicle, Vanzilla starts on the first try. He was delighted.
"On the first try. I haven't experienced that in months." said Lynn Sr. It is not a good sign, something bad would totally happen if something good suddenly did.
Lynn senior drives off. They left Franklin Avenue and go onto Main Street. Luan tells them one of her jokes again.
"So Leni, do you know the joke about the burglar who stole the calendar? He only got twelve months. Haha! Get it?"
Leni laughed briefly.
"I don't get the joke." said Leni in wonder.
"Leni, a calendar has twelve months." said Lana in annoyance.
Vanzilla drove to the outskirts of Royal Woods. A railroad crossing came into view. Lynn Senior looked closely. The level crossing was open.
"Fortunately the level crossing is open, I always hate waiting here." said Lynn Sr. Not a good sign.
Vanzilla drove towards the railroad crossing. Just before Vanzilla was on the railroad crossing, Rita noticed something big, red with a raphite gray stripe in the corner of her eye. It was a tram. Rita was startled. As the engineer of the train struggles to brake.
"TRAIN! TRAIN!" screamed Rita.
The next thing that happened, happened in a single second. Lynn senior braked in reflex. Lynn looked to the right, past Lana and Lola, and saw the tram speeding toward them. Leni threw herself on Lily, took her and held her tight. Then there was a bang that sounded like artillery. The train have collapsed with Vanzilla.
There are very quiet days. The Royal Woods Fire Department didn't have much to do in those days. Willy, a fireman, was drinking coffee with his colleague Jim. Willy wore brown hair and was 32 years old. Jim was forty years old and had dark gray hair.
"These days are suspiciously quiet." said Willy.
"If this continues, we won't be needed anymore." said Jim.
"We were called once because a car was losing oil. I'm telling you, something big is about to happen."
The alarm went off at the fire station.
"I should play the lottery." said Willy.
The fire brigade commander Jacob ran out of the office. He was in his mid-sixties, had light gray hair, and wore glasses and a mustache. He put on his jacket.
"Large operation boys. Large operation. An accident. A tram collided with a car. The caller said there were serious injuries on the tram. The condition of the people in the vehicle is unclear." said Jakob.
Jim and Willy get up and run to the cloakroom, get their helmets and jackets. Jacob, Jim and Willy get into an emergency vehicle. Willy is behind the wheel. More people from the fire department get into the fire engines. The garage has been opened and they are driving off. Jacob looks at his cell phone and dials a number.
"Yes. This is Jacob from the fire department. There was an accident at the Meadow level crossing. You have to switch off the catenary and ground it."
Jacob listens briefly.
"Good thank you."
Jacob hangs up.
"Well, the dispatchers of the RWR now switch off the catenary. Willy, you will ground it, you know how it works. Jim, you and I will take care of the people in the car."
Willy drives along the main road at a hundred kilometers an hour. The railroad crossing was in sight. Five ambulances were there and the paramedics were waiting for the fire department. Willy stopped. The three got out, Willy went to the equipment hatch, and pulled out a long pole, which had a hook attached to an insulator at one end, which had a copper wire with a clamp. Willy ran to the track and clamped the copper clamp to the track. Then he lifted the bar and hung his heels on the high-voltage line. Jim and Jakob ran to the paramedics.
"Will grounded the catenary. You can get on the tram." said Jacob.
The paramedics nodded and ran to the tram and made an emergency opening on the doors. They went in. Jim looked at Vanzilla, who was bruised and lying on the track with shattered windows. He was pushed ten meters on impact. Jim got a cut-off wheel and started the engine.
"I will cut the roof of the van. After that we will look for survivors." said Jim.
Jacob nodded. Jim went to Vanzilla and cut off the roof. Willy ran to the two of them and Jakob climbed in on Vanzilla. It was a terrifying sight to see. There were dead people everywhere. He looked around. Then he saw Leni. She lay on the floor of Vanzilla, and breathed. Jakob pulled her up and noticed that she was fully conscious. Then he noticed that she was holding a baby. Lily. She started crying.
"Damn! Jim. Give me a hand." shouted Jacob.
Leni whispered all the time.
"It's going to be alright Lily. It's going to be alright Lily. It's going to be alright Lily."
Jim stood in Vanzilla now. He lifted Leni by the shoulders and Jakob lifted Leni by the legs. They carried Leni out of Vanzilla and laid her on the meadow next to the track bed.
"Medic! Over here!" shouted Jim.
A paramedic ran to them. He immediately looked at Leni. But Leni held Lily to the paramedic.
"Please. Take care of Lily first." said Leni.
Jakob took out his radio.
"Fire engine 17 here, I'm calling for reinforcements. We have serious injuries and deaths. I need two ambulances and a helicopter."
"Roger. Reinforcements are on their way."
"Jakob! We have to get the other girl out!" shouted Willy.
Jakob and Willy climbed back into Vanzilla and climbed into the back seat. Lynn was badly injured and needed immediate medical attention. She was unconscious and bleeding profusely from the head. Jakob and Willy picked Lynn up and carried her onto the meadow, next to Leni, who was being looked after by another paramedic. When the paramedic saw Lynn, he immediately went to Lynn.
"We need a helicopter." said the paramedic.
"He's on the way." said Jacob.
Two more ambulances drove onto the meadow. The paramedics loaded Leni into the ambulance, and, and the other paramedic loaded Lily into the other ambulance. The paramedic who was with Lynn started to sweat.
"Damn! When is the f*** helicopter coming?" shouted the paramedic.
"He comes!" shouted Jacob.
"I hope so, otherwise we can call the hearse!"
Paramedics and firefighters are now carrying the injured out of the tram. A paramedic runs towards Jim.
"Two dead on the tram. And twenty injured." said the paramedic.
"Nine dead and two injured. The baby is unharmed. The blond girl is slightly injured, and the one on the meadow is seriously injured. Jakob called the helicopter."
The sound of a helicopter could be heard in the distance. And the next night a helicopter hovered over the meadow. Willy goes aside. The helicopter lands and two paramedics get out. One runs to the tram, the other runs to Lynn with a stretcher. The paramedic and ambulance place Lynn on the stretcher and carry Lynn to the helicopter, which is waiting with its engine running. The ambulance puts Lynn in the helicopter. The door of the helicopter is shot, and the helicopter takes off and flies towards the hospital. Jim approaches Willy.
"The paramedics in the tram vehicle will be ready soon. Jakob is calling the hearse." said Jim.
"An entire family. An entire family was killed in a small moment. I've never seen anything like it."
"Willy, when we're done here, you can see a psychologist if you want. Our insurance will pay for that. But now, now we have to clean up. If you can't, I won't blame you."
"There's a girl in there who's four years old, and she's dead. And my daughter is the same age."
"Willy, go home. This is too much for you here. I'll take care of it with Jakob." said Jim, and walked to the emergency vehicle.
Willy went to the group vehicle and sat down. Jim, who is now standing next to the tram with Jakob, begins to report the situation.
"Willy is in the group vehicle now. The three survivors from the car have been taken away."
"Fine. I was on the phone. The hearses will be here in half an hour. Jim, get the body bags. We have to clean up." said Jacob.
Jim nodded and walked to the supplies truck. Jacob took out a packet of cigarettes, took out a cigarette and started to smoke.
Leni's ambulance stopped in front of the regional hospital and Leni was carried to the emergency room. The doctor in charge came running. He was sixty, had white hair, and a mustache and had an accent that sounded Eastern European. He spoke quickly and purposefully.
"She has no visible injuries. Takes the girl to the x-ray room. I want to know what's going on under her flesh." said the doctor.
"Lily? Where's Lily?" Leni asked.
"The baby is being examined by a specialist."
"I have to see her." Leni said and wanted to get up, but the doctor prevented this.
"Oh no. you're not going anywhere. I was trained in the former Soviet Union, and I can even sedate KGB agents."
Leni was carried into the X-ray room and placed on the carriage of the large X-ray machine. The doctor bent over Leni and shone a flashlight in her eyes.
"I forgot to say, I'm Doctor Antonov. You're about to be wheeled into this machine, and then we'll take an X-ray of your entire body."
"X-ray?" Leni asked.
"A photo showing the inside of the body."
"Does that hurt?"
"No. The machine will be loud, but you won't feel anything."
Antonov gave a hand signal to an assistant, and Leni was pulled into the tube. The machine was really loud. Leni felt uncomfortable. After minutes it was done. Leni came out of the X-ray machine and Antonov helped her get up.
"X-rays show a broken collarbone and your right arm is also broken. I'll put you in a cast." said Antonov.
"Why don't I feel any pain?" Leni asked.
"You are in shock."
Antonov accompanied Leni to a room and began to make a cast. He put it on Leni, and then he gave Leni a single pill, which was in a small pack.
"As soon as you feel pain, you take this pill and swallow it." said Antonov.
Antonov looked at his phone.
"Your little sister has finished the examination. She seems unharmed. Come with me."
Antonov led Leni to a hospital room where a nurse held Lily in her arms.
"You best lie down and rest." said Antonov.
Leni lay down on the bed. The nurse put Lily next to Leni. Lily was obviously happy to see her. Antonov and the nurse left the room.
"Leni." said Lily.
Lily climbed onto Leni's stomach and hugged her. Leni began to feel pain in her arm. Leni took the pill and swallowed it.
"Lily. I hope this is all a bad dream."
Lori arrives at her apartment. The day at college was getting harder and harder because exams were coming up. She took off her shoes, sat on the sofa, and turned on the television. On the tv was Kate Mulligan reading the news.
"Good evening, this is the news at 7:00 p.m., with Kate Mulligan. Shortly after noon today, there was a serious accident on the Meadow level crossing, killing 11. Jane Scott reports."
A young reporter's voice could be heard. On the TV there were pictures of the level crossing with the tram.
"The Meadow level crossing had long been considered dangerous, and now it happened again. This time it's the worst time. A family of 12 drove over the level crossing and were hit by a tram. Nine people died in the car, two were slightly injured, one seriously. The train driver and one passenger died in the tram."
Now Lori could see the worst. Vanzilla could now be seen on the television, which was standing on the track. Lori looked at the tv in disbelief. She turned it off, ran to the door, put on her shoes, grabbed her car keys, and ran to her car. Lori got into her car and drove off at tremendous speed. On the freeway, lori kept the engine running at 6000 rpm the whole time. Lori knew it wasn't good for her car, but she didn't care. Lori drove constantly at over 200 kilometers per hour. She felt the vibration in the steering wheel. It usually takes about three hours to travel from Great Lake City to Royal Woods. Lori only needed half the time this time. When Lori saw the clouds of steam from the nuclear power plant, she knew she wasn't going to be long. When she stopped in front of the regional hospital, it was already getting dark. Lori ran to the reception.
"Loud! Any Loud! Is there a Loud here?" shouted Lori.
"Heaven help. Room 86." said the nurse.
Lori ran to room 86 and entered. She saw Leni and Lily on the bed. She ran towards the two and hugged them.
"You're fine. I'm so glad you're okay." said Lori, and started to cry.
"I'm glad to see you too." said Leni.
"Where are the others?" Lori said in worries.
"I don't know. I only saw Lynn being taken out of Vanzilla. And Doctor Antonov said she was in intensive care. They won't let us see her."
Lori got up.
"The TV said there were nine dead in Vanzilla."
Leni slowly closed her eyes. Her facial expression looked painful. Lori went to the door.
"Where are you going Lori?" Leni asked.
"I'm going to Lynn. No doctor can stop me from seeing my sister."
Leni took Lily on her left arm and stood up.
"I'll come with you."
Lor, and Leni with Lily in her arms went to the intensive care units. Antonov was standing in front of one of the rooms.
"Where's Lynn Loud?" Lori asked.
"In this room. Stop! You are not allowed in there!" said Antonov, blocking Lori's way.
Lori hit Antonov in the jaw and he went down. Lori opened the door and heard Antonov swearing in Belarusian. When Lori saw Lynn, she was shocked. Lynn was on tubes, on IVs, and unconscious. Lori wanted to approach Lynn, but a hand held her back. It was Antonov.
"I don't know the extent of Lynn's injuries yet. Please leave this room now."
Lori walked out. Leni waited with Lily. Lori took Lily in her arms and held her tight.
"I'm not going to lose any of you three." Lori said.
"We're staying with Lynn." said Leni.
A policeman walked down the corridor and looked around. When he saw Lori, Leni and Lily, he walked towards them.
"I'm Officer Davis. I have bad news to tell you."
"What is it about?" asked Lori.
"Leni Loud, Lynn Loud and Lily Loud are the only survivors. The rest of your family perished."
Lori bit her lip. Leni pressed her face into Lori's shoulder. Jackson took out a business card and wrote something on the back with a pen. He gave them to Lori.
"My private phone number is on the back. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me." said Davis, and left.
Lori, Leni and Lily stayed in the ICU corridor. Lori looked at the business card. Then she looked at Leni and Lily and heard Leni sobbing. Lily realized something was wrong because she started crying. Lori started rocking Lily in her arms, humming a song. But at some point Lori could no longer hum because the grief was too great.
Black is the color of mourning. The clothes that Lori and Leni are wearing are black. Everyone's clothes are black. The Royal Woods Cemetery is packed with people wanting to say goodbye this Tuesday afternoon. Eleven graves have been dug, nine for one family. Lori holds Lily, who was about to cry. Leni looked into the open grave in which lies a coffin made of mahogany. The tracks of the RWR ran next to the cemetery and the church. Two kilometers from the scene of the accident. Only one person spoke that day. Pastor Schindler. He had gray hair, was in his mid-fifties, and wore thin glasses.
"Almighty God. We thank you for all the mercy and faithfulness with which you have guided the deceased through the joys and sorrows of life. We know that you receive them with open arms. We thank you Lord for your kindness. We thank you to you too for all the love and blessings we have received through them. Forgive them, Lord, everything that might stand between them and you. We are thinking of the other people who have already left us. Continue to offer them an eternal home with you. We summarize everything that moves us by praying the Lord's Prayer together." said Pastor Schindler.
The Lord's Prayer was the only prayer Lori knew. She prayed quietly with the other people, whispering it in Lily's ear.
"Our father in Heaven,
Blessed be your name.
Thy kingdom come.
Your will will happen,
as in heaven so on earth.
Our daily bread Give us today.
And forgive us our sins
as we also forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever.
Amen."
Just as Pastor Schindler had finished, a regional train passed the building next to the church. He slowed and stopped. The engine whistle sounded briefly and the regional train drove on. Lori saw someone waving to the local train. It was a man in his thirties who had brown hair and a mustache. He was wearing a train driver's uniform. Lori looked at the other two graves. There was the grave of the driver of the accident train, who also died. Lori looked back at the mustachioed engineer. Next to him was a woman who was crying. It had to be the dead train driver's wife. When the funeral was over, Leni approached pastor schindler.
"Pastor. I have a question." said Leni.
"Of course. Just ask." said Pastor Schindler.
"What happens after death?"
Pastor Schindler thought for a moment.
"Each religion says something different. But at the end of the day it's what you believe that counts. We Christians believe in heaven and that we live on there after death. If a person has had a good life and his sins are gone, then he goes to heaven. As far as I know, it's similar with the Muslims. But I'm not sure. And in ancient Judaism, it was imagined that after death, man went into a shadow world, and there near or far from God live on. However, this life is not a real life. It is therefore particularly important for a devout Jew to live on in his descendants. That means, according to Jewish belief, your parents live on in you, Lori, Lynn and Lily. But Leni, all that matters is what you believe in."
"Thank you. Pastor Schindler."
Lori was still looking at the graves. Then she heard two people talking to each other. She looked in the direction the voices were coming from. The engine driver and a conductor were talking. Lori listened to the conversation.
"Peter, have you heard anything about the cause of the accident?" asked the engine driver.
"Yes. It is said to have been a defective relay, which was supposed to trigger the closing process of the level crossing." said the conductor.
"I saw the railcar at the depot. Cab two is completely destroyed. And I heard Frank say he wants number 117 repaired."
"Armin, if you ask me, it doesn't matter what happens to the railcar. The worst part is that eleven people died."
"That's right. And a relay like that can be replaced in five minutes. It sucks that something like that happened."
Lori approached Leni.
"Leni. Let's go. I have to do something." said Lori.
Lena nodded. The three left the cemetery and went to Lori's car in the parking lot. Lori puts Lily in her seat in the back and buckles her up. Leni sat in the passenger seat. Lori gets in and drives off. Lori drives down the main street and stops at a shop. She gets out and enters the store. Five minutes later she comes out with a bouquet of roses. She gets in and drives towards the level crossing. She stops in front of the railroad crossing, takes the bouquet and gets out. There are a bunch of flowers next to the track bed. Lori puts the bouquet next to the track. She looks at the railroad crossing. It looked the same as always. The track is clean and there are no shards or pieces of metal. Lori looked at the flowers. Then she heard the bell of the level crossing. The barriers were lowered. Lori heard a faint rustling coming from the track. Then a tram in double traction drove past, which made a long whistle with the locomotive whistle on the level crossing. The tram went over the level crossing at eighty kilometers per hour and continued on. Leni got out. She approached Lori.
"Lori. I want to get out of here. I don't want to be here." said Leni.
Lori closed her eyes. Leni became restless.
"Lori. Please."
Lori turned around.
"Our family died here! Please, I want a moment to myself!" Lori said loudly.
"I was in that car! I saved Lily's life. And I was awake the whole time! I felt the impact! I heard Luan stop breathing! I saw them all die! And I don't want to be here! I want to be with Luan! With Lincoln! With Mom and Dad! I want to be with Lynn! But I don't want to be here!" screamed Leni.
Leni began to cry softly. Lori walked up to her and hugged her.
"Okay, let's get out of here." said Lori.
Lori led Leni back to the car. The two got in. Lori started the engine and drove back to the hospital. The three went into the aisle of the intensive care unit. They entered Lynn's room. She was still unconscious. Lori walked up to Lynn and laid Lily on the bed next to her. Lily snuggled under Lynn's arm.
"Hey Lynn. How are you?" said Lori.
The device that displayed her heart rate beeped briefly.
"Soon you will wake up. And you will be fine."
The door of the room opened and Antonov entered. When he saw LLori, Leni and Lily, his eyes got slightly annoyed.
"I told you to stay outside. Oh, forget it. You're visiting Lynn, I assume?" said Antonov.
Lori nodded.
"How is she doing?" Leni asked.
"Well that's why I wanted to call you. Lynn's condition is stable now. But there are certain things I don't like."
"What exactly? What is it?" asked Lori.
"Well, I was in contact with an expert from Great Lake City and he had looked at the test results. And Lynn has brain damage."
"What does brain damage mean?"
Antonov looked at his phone.
"The expert wrote to me, because I'm not a neurobiologist. Here. The center responsible for walking has suffered serious damage. The center for motor skills in the arm and hand has slight damage, which the brain can heal again. The rest is unharmed, but since the brain is still a mystery for research, I have to say that you shouldn't get your hopes up too much." said Antonov.
"What does this mean?" asked Lori.
"That means it's possible Lynn won't be able to walk anymore."
Lori looked at Lynn. She knew sport meant a lot to Lynn and now that wasn't possible anymore? Antonov noticed Lori's despair.
"Were you at a family funeral? I'll give you a tip. It's better if you go home. Rest yourselves. When Lynn wakes up, I'll call." said Antonov.
"Thank you doctor." said Leni.
Lori tried to pick Lily up, but Lily grabbed Lynn's arm and wouldn't let go.
"Oh come on Lily." said Lori.
"Waiting helps. Sooner or later she has to fall asleep, and then it's very easy." said Antonov, and left the room.
Lori and Leni were waiting. Eventually Lily fell asleep and Lori was able to pick her up with no problem. Leni gave Lynn a kiss on the forehead and they left the room. Upon entering, they saw Antonov attending to a patient in an emergency.
"How can you poison yourself with mercury?" said Antonov.
Lori and Leni walked to the car and Lori carefully put Lily in the seat.
Lori and Leni walked to the car and Lori carefully put Lily in the seat. Lori and Leni board. Lori drove off. On the radio lef a song that somehow Lori liked. It wasn't pop, or rock, or any modern form of music. It was classical, played by an orchestra, and the melody was powerful. She glanced at the car radio screen. Hummel gets the Rockets, by Hans zimmer. Lori drove onto Franklin Avenue. Lori drove down the street and pulled into the driveway of the house. Someone was waiting there. Bobby. Lori and Leni got out.
"Hi Lori. Sorry to be here so late." said Bobby.
Lori went to Bobby and hugged him.
"It's okay. I have to get Lily out of the car." said Lori, and went to the back door, and opened it.
Leni went to Bobby.
"Hi Leni. I'm sorry about what happened." said Bobby and hugged Leni.
"I'm glad to see you." said Leni.
Lori took the sleeping Lily out of her seat and went to Bobby.
"Bobby, the house key is in my pocket. Could you take it out and unlock the door?" asked Lori.
"Sure, of course." said Bobby, reached into Lori's pocket and took out the house key.
Bobby went to the front door and unlocked it. Lori and Leni entered. Bobby followed them. Lori walked into Lily and Lisa's room and carefully laid Lily in her crib. Lori took Lily's purple blanket and tucked her in. She walked out of Lily's room and saw Leni walking into her room. Lori followed her. Leni lay down on her bed.
"Leni? Can I help you?" asked Lori.
"No. I'm tired like Lily and I just want to sleep." said Leni.
"I understand. Sleep well."
"Lori."
"Yes?"
"I hope that when I wake up everything will be normal and that it was all just a nightmare."
"I have the same hope." Lori said, walked out of the room and closed the door.
"But my hope is dying." said Lori to herself.
She went down the stairs into the living room and saw Bobby on the couch. Lori noticed his posture. He was sad too. Lori sat down next to him.
"How is Lynn?" asked Bobby.
"Doctor Antonov says she has serious brain damage. She won't be able to walk anymore." said Lori.
"I'm sorry. And how are you three?"
"Lily isn't hurt. But she cries a lot. Leni, she's kind of tired and... I don't know how to say it."
"And you, Lori?"
"I woke up in the middle of the night and I thought my heart stopped beating. It felt like I was dying. And I didn't mind at that moment. But I have to move on. Leni, Lynn and Lily need me as a big sister, and I need you Bobby." said Lori, and leaned on Bobby.
Bobby put his left arm around Lori's shoulder. Lori put her arms around Bobby and snuggled up to him.
"Why did something like this have to happen? I don't understand it." said Lori.
Bobby said nothing. He hugged Lori tightly, trying to make her okay. Then Lily started crying in her room. Lori got up.
"I will be back soon." said Lori, and ran up the stairs.
Lori ran into Lily's room. Now she realized that Lily wasn't just screaming and crying. She called for her mother. Lori picked Lily up and rocked her in her arms.
"Shhh. Lily. Your big sister is here." whispered Lori.
Lily kept calling for her mother. Lori started humming a song to calm Lily. Lily was still crying. Lori wondered if they could sing a song to calm Lily down. She remembered a song she had learned at school. A song that men sang in mines. Lori started singing.
"Again sounds back from the mountain;
the little bell's cheerful echoing.
And everyone is called to his duty;
let's wallow to work.
So sweet love, a kiss,
don't miss the treat.
This is fate's course;
Good luck, good luck!"
Lily wasn't crying so hard now.
"And when we are in the deep mountain,
at our workplaces,
so help us St. Barbara,
that we would have good luck too!
One hears the thunder of the powder,
the chisel and the drill sound,
the chariot wheels run,
Good luck, good luck!"
Lily stopped crying. She looked at Lori with a sad look.
"And should we in the deep mountain,
beat the last hour
so help us the dear God,
bear the heavy fate!
So sweet love, don't cry
Not afraid of death is a miner's duty.
This is the miner's run;
Good luck, good luck!"
Lily clung to Lori. Lori noticed that Lily didn't want to let go of her anymore. Lily yawned, and so did Lori. She walked into the aisle with Lily. Lori looked down the stairs.
"Bobby! I'll go to sleep!"
"Alright babe! Sleep good!" said bobby.
Lori went into her room and lay down on her bed with Lily. Lori heard Leni snoring.
"Mom?" said Lily.
"Don't worry. Your sister Lori is here." said Lori.
"Mom?"
"I'm here. I'm here Lily."
Lily made herself comfortable on Lori's chest. Lori felt Lily's warmth on her stomach. It was pleasant. Eventually Lily fell asleep. And Lori realized that she was also very tired. Lori fell asleep too.
Lori hung up. She sat on the couch and thought. She thought about her family. She thought about her friends. She thought about many things. She got up. Lori ran into the kitchen, to the key drawer. She took out three keys and ran up the stairs. First she went to Luna and Luan's room. She closed the door and put the key in the keyhole. She turned him over and the door was locked. She went to Lana and Lola's room and locked it too. Then Lincoln's room. Then a routine began for Lori. Lori took Leni and Lily to school and kindergarten in the morning, she drove home and studied on the computer. In the afternoon she picked up Leni and Lily and brought them both home, then she cooked dinner. And so went every day. Six weeks long. She also visited Lynn every day. Lynn's condition was at a point after six weeks where Antonov made a decision. He wanted to wake up Lynn. He went to Lynn's room with a nurse.
"So, prepare a dose of morphine in case the patient is in pain. Standard dose for a thirteen year old." said Antonov.
"Yes. I'll come right away with the dose." said the nurse and left the room.
Antonov prepares a syringe. He approached Linn and injected her with the medication. He stepped back a little and looked at the monitors. He sat down in a chair and kept an eye on everything.
"Well Lynn. This is probably your first dream in six weeks. I hope it's comfortable." said Antonov.
Antonov was right. The neurons in Lynn's brain, which had been almost dormant for weeks, now experienced a chain reaction. Areas of the brain that had been dead for weeks now started working again. Lynn slowly transitioned into a REM phase and she began to dream. She dreamed that she was running down a long corridor pursued by a skelet in a black cloak holding a scythe. It was death itself. Lynn was sweating, running as fast as she could. She kept looking back, but he kept getting closer. Then Lynn noticed that the corridor was over. There was just a wall. Lynn looked back in panic. Death was getting closer. Lynn hit the wall and screamed.
"Help! Help me! Please help me!" screamed Lynn in panic.
Lynn turned around. Death stretched out his bony hand to Lynn. He grabbed her by the collar and lifted her up. Lynn peered into the skull's eye sockets. He raised his scythe. Then Lynn saw the scythe rush toward her. She screamed and closed her eyes. Then Lynn felt that she was lying somewhere. She opened her eyes. She was lying in a meadow with an extremely thick fog. Then she heard screams. The screams sounded familiar to her. It was Lincoln. She ran in the direction of the screams.
"Lincoln! I'm coming to you!" shouted Lynn.
She kept getting closer. Then she saw Lincoln, who was being pulled by the arm from death. Lynn ran in his direction. Death looked at Lynn. He snapped, and a huge eagle landed in front of Lynn, which must have been ten feet tall. It screeched, and snapped its beak at Lynn. Lynn dodged, and ran alongside the eagle to pursue Lincoln. The eagle flew at Lynn and grabbed her with its huge claws. Lynn watched Lincoln and Death disappear into the mist. All she could hear was Lincoln screaming. The one next to him turned red and blood began to rain down. The eagle took Lynn in its beak and flew away. Red lightning flashed in the mist, and Lynn did not know how high the eagle flew. Lynn slapped his beak. Then he dropped her. Lynn fell deep. She landed on something soft. She looked around. It was an eagle's nest. It was on a cliff. There was a number scratched all over the rock. 117. Lynn heard the screech of the eagle, and then she saw it fly towards her in the crimson mist around rain. Lynn pressed herself against the rock face. The eagle landed and grabbed Lynn again with its beak. He drew her into his nest and put her in the middle. The eagle perched on Lynn as if incubating its eggs. Lynn couldn't move anymore. She felt only the nest and the feathers of the eagle. It was warm and somehow comfortable. Lynn couldn't see anything. She only felt the warmth of the eagle, and this became more and more real.
OK, if you don't like the religious elements here, I'm sorry. I don't really want to offend any side, so just skip that part if you can.
I never read "Two Louds Left" before this chapter was published as it's own story on the original version posted around mid-2022.
I want to credit a lot of people here, but for now:-
Seanrudin - A really good writer. Go check out works from Seanrudin!
Coldwarnick - Thank you very much for giving the permission to use idea similar as yours.