It was a dark night. I checked my bright purple watch to see that it was 8:27pm. Mum had asked us to buy sugar to use for baking.

Zoe and I walked along the sidewalk, the night air cold.

"Zoe! What are we going to bake this time? Cake? Cookies? Brownies?" I asked eagerly.

"No, we're making cupcakes!" Zoe smiled. I clapped my hands in joy.

"I like cupcakes!" I giggled.

"I know you do," Zoe pinched my cheek.

"Hey!" I shouted playfully. Zoe laughed.

"Okay, Bianca. We're crossing the road now so watch out for cars, okay?" Zoe held my hand and stepped on the road.

I nodded, looking left to right.

As we were reaching the other side of the road, I spotted the lights of a car approaching us.

It was approaching us fast. Zoe hadn't seen the car.

"Zoe! There's a car over there-"

Too late, as the car knocked Zoe down, barely leaving time for her to push me aside.

"Zoe!"I cried. The driver sat up groggily and got out to look at Zoe.

"Watch out for cars next time, little girl. You guys were in my way," he grumbled. His breath smelt sour.

"Alcohol," I thought, "Dad always smelt like that."

Even though I was only eight, I knew quite a lot. Mum and Dad got a divorce when I was six because he was an alcoholic. Mum didn't think he was a good example for Zoe and I.

I snapped out of my thoughts as the man walked back to his car and drove away.

I dragged Zoe's body to the sidewalk.

"Hold on, Zoe," I whispered in Zoe's ear.

There was no response. I ran down a few blocks to our house.

I burst into the living room.

"Mum! Y-you have to come!" I shouted. Mum poked her head out of the kitchen.

"What's wrong? she asked. When she same the look on my face, she immediately became alert.

"Where's Zoe?" She walked towards me, panic evident in her voice. I pulled her out of the house and lead her to Zoe. Mum let out a cry.

"Zoe.. Zoe!" Mum screamed, shaking Zoe's body. She touched Zoe's wrist.

She shook her head.

"She's gone.." Mum whispered, tears running down her cheeks. I refused to believe it.

"No! She can't be! S-she can't leave yet! We were going to bake together, we were going to live happily! No! Zoe!" I sobbed, burying my head into Zoe's chest, hearing no heartbeats.

"Zoe.. please.. don't go.. you're my only friend. I love you, please... come back." Tears pooled in my eyes.

"Zoe.."

I sat up, eyes wide, gasping for breath. I hadn't had a flashback in a long time. I wasn't ready to welcome it like an old friend.

Mum was sitting next to me, holding my shaking hands. Her face was tear stained.

"Mum, I- I want to visit Zoe," I spoke softly. She nodded in understanding.