10
569words
Dad spent all the money and came home, they fought the second they saw each other.
James endured their constant arguments over his medical bills.
Unable to cope,he dove back into gaming,playing day and night.
After two sleepless days,starving,he went to buy some cheap food and saw Sarah.
Pregnant,she had a tall man beside her supporting her.
James approached with longing in his eyes."Sarah."
She looked at him like a stranger."You've got the wrong person.I'm not Sarah."
She had changed her name.
"No,you're my Sarah.I know that mole on your arm."
He reached for her,obsessed.
"Get away!"She recoiled,screaming.
"Don't touch my fiancée!"The man shoved James away.
James's eyes turned feral."She's my wife!"
He grabbed for her,but the man pushed him down onto the ground.
"Harass her again,and I'm calling the cops."
Sarah tugged the man."Ignore this lunatic—let's go!"
They drove off.
James scrambled up,chasing the car."Sarah,come back!"
He didn't see the red light.A truck barreled through,hit him hard,had him flying up and landed six feet away.
The hospital was nearby,and he was rushed in,but Mom arrived only to be told that it was too late.
"Doctor,save my son!"
She knelt,begging,but the doctor said they had try their best.
Massive organ damage from the crash—he didn't last long.
Mom wept by his body."Son,get up.I can't lose you."
No one answered.
I hadn't expected her to bury James next to me.
Even in death,I faced my enemy.I'd rather be a wandering ghost.
Mom stood before the graves,regretful."Next life,we'll be family again.I'll love you both."
Only she would believe that.
She placed James's photo highest,mine below.
Every morning, as soon as she woke up,she would pray."Claire,look after your brother in Heaven."
Those words fueled my rage,my soul fading.
I'm dead,and you still wouldn't let me go.
Must I vanish completely to escape from you completely?
That moment came soon.
Without James,Mom lost the purpose of her life.
Only when Dad came home drunk,demanding money,did she felt lively again and fought back.
"No money!Take my life!"
Dad stole their cash again.
Days later,he racked up gambling debts,and thugs tied him up at home.
Mom stared blankly at them."Come here,I'll get your money."
But when they approached,she stabbed a dagger into one's heart.
"My daughter has money—go ask her in Hell."
They froze.
She stabbed wildly,like a madwoman,until he was dead.
"Murder!Murder!"
The thugs called the police.Dad fled but later was killed at a casino for cheating.
Mom was sent to a mental hospital,muttering,"Claire,where are you?Come back."
One day,she escaped,stealing a baby girl."Claire,my Claire."
The child wailed.
She cooed,"Don't cry,Mommy's taking you to the Ferris wheel."
A nurse spotted her on the rooftop via surveillance cameras and called the police.
"Don't move!"
Firefighters reached the roof,coaxing,"Put the child down."
Mom beamed,cradling the baby."This is my daughter—so well-behaved."
"Your daughter's the best.She looks sick—let me take her to a doctor."
Mom blinked."My daughter's never been sick.She doesn't need a doctor."
"There's a doctor here saying she needs treatment."
She nodded slowly."Okay,but you have to promise to cure her."
As she handed over the child,she panicked."No doctor!"
The firefighter snatched away the baby in time.
Mom lunged at them,furious,but slipped,falling off the roof.
Her body hit the ground,a bloody mess,eyes open, her lips still moving."Claire."
Panic gripped me—she seemed to see me.
As she died,my soul felt the relief I had never felt before.
The world faded away slowly.
