Daxter…

Five years ago,a wave of a strange illness had hit our happy town. A town full of life suddenly went silent.

I was young…i didn't know a thing. None of us knew a thing.

Untold secrets…lying parents…a poisoned town.

Dead families,dead relatives,dead friends.
Everyone had been hit…yet, others still turned their backs.

Selfish world equals selfish humans.

Five years now and history is about to repeat itself.

The irony…

Astrid…

“Please…”
I watched the expression on Dax face switch between indecisiveness and hurt and I knew I was definitely screwed. I turned to look at Eddie. He was still. Everybody was.

My heart squeezed in betrayal and hurt.

Was this how Dax had felt? Rejected?

Gianna jerked in my arms and my heart rate sped up. “I need help! What is wrong with you people!!!!” I screamed out.

The wail of sirens shook everyone out of their paralysis and silence.
“I called 911 since everyone is such a coward now.” Noah came forward holding his phone out. “Oh…and the police too.”

The whole room erupted with noise and scrambling of feets. I watched Dax move towards me but Nasir stopped him by whispering something into his ear.
He gave me one last glance before turning away.

The paramedics rushed in holding a stretcher while everyone rushed out. I stared at my sister with teary eyes. She had wanted to stay home but i could not afford to not attend the party.

You're so self centered Astrid

The police officers came in and went straight to Eddie to question him about the party. A paramedic tapped my shoulder.
“Come on, you have to get tested.”

I nodded slowly and followed her out of the house. My joints felt numb.

I started to imagine how devastated and disappointed my parents would feel when the news reached them.

We'd already suffered one loss because of the stupid wave and here it was again.

As we reached the ambulance,my head started to spin. I heard a familiar voice calling out my name right before i fell and blacked out.

4 hours later…

The hospital?

Yes, I was at the hospital but why?

I opened my eyes slowly and looked around. The room was dark but I could make out a figure on the couch.

“D…D…Dad?” I called out in a croaky voice and started to cough. “D…D…Dad!” I called out again still coughing.

He jerked awake at the sound of my coughs and rushed to his feet. “Astrid…hold on baby, I'll get the nurses to bring you a glass of water.”

Few minutes later, I was being spoon fed a bland liquid and two nurses were fussing over me. The door opened and the town doctor came in.
“How are you feeling Astrid?” He asked after one of the nurses whispered into his ear.
“Apart from the dryness in my throat, I'm okay.”
“Are you sure? No pains? Headaches? Blurry sight?” He asked again and I eyed him warily.

“No. I feel fine. What's with the questions. Am I okay? Why am I even here?” I questioned frantically and my Dad looked at me strangely.
“You don't remember?”
“Remember what?”
“The illegal party that you guys threw on a school night.”
“Illegal party? What are you talking about?”
The doctor gave me a strange look then scribbled something down on his pad.
“What do you remember last Astrid?”
“Umm…a picnic of some sort. I had hurt my sister and I…I'm not so sure.”
“Picnic?” My Dad echoed in a shocked voice.

The doctor beckoned my Dad over to the corner of the room, leaving me to my scrambled thoughts.

A party? On a school night?

My Dad returned while the doctor and nurses left. He gave a comforting smile and tucked some of my locks behind my ear.
“Dad? Is everything okay? Am I in trouble?”
He shook his head, his smile still in place.
“You're okay Astrid. The doctor says you have partial amnesia. That you shouldn't work your brain too much. It'll return soon.”

Partial amnesia?

“Did I hit my head or something? Why do I have partial amnesia?” I pressed on and he sighed.
“From shock baby.” he replied.
My heart started to race all of a sudden.
“Shock? Where's mum…and…and…and…”
“Astrid?” He called and stared at me worriedly. I looked at him and started panicking.
“Daddy… I…I did something didn't I?” I asked, my voice frantic
“No baby, you did nothing wrong.” He replied calmly and I shook my head vigorously.
“I did something. I know I did. And…why can't I remember…Gianna!” I grabbed his arm and started to shake it.
“Daddy where's Gia? She's hurt isn't she?”

I saw him reach for the emergency button and my heart rate increased.
“That's why mum isn't here right? She always avoids me when i do something stupid. Dad…Dad.” I begged on even as one of the nurses that had rushed in seconds ago injected my drip bag with something.
“Daddy…what's wrong?” I whispered softly as my eyes drooped low.
“Rest my dear. Rest.”

°°°

I was alone when I awoke again. Alone, but in my bedroom. My head hurt a bit and my hand wasn't connected to a drip bag but a plaster was there to remind me that I'd been in the hospital and that I wasn't being delusional.

My head felt heavy and memories from whatever had happened were hazy. I sat up and switched on my bedside lamp. It came on, bathing my room in it's pale blue light. The clock on my wall read 7am which meant I had to be quick or I'll be late for school.

The house was very quiet. Too quiet. I made my way downstairs to the kitchen but no one was there. “Dad? Mom?” I called out,leaving the kitchen. No answer. “Dad? Gigi?” I called again moving back upstairs.

Uh! Weird…

After making sure everything I needed today for school was ready, I went back downstairs,grabbed two granola bars and a pack of apple juice for breakfast. A sticky note I hadn't noticed earlier was on the fridge. Dad's writing was on it.

Stay with the Swifts after school. Don't question this.

I stared at the note in confusion. The Swifts?
A honk outside startled me out of my dilemma and I rushed out quickly with my things.

Hailey Fax, my bestfriend since kindergarten, was leaning on her car and boping her head to the loud rock coming out of her Car’s speaker.
“Isn't it too early to be listening to something this loud?” I teased and she rolled her eyes as a response.
“You're looking better.” She chirped as soon as we were on our way to school. I turned a questioned gaze to her.
“What do you mean?”
“I visted you at the hospital yesterday…you fainted after that awful occurence at the party on monday night.” She explained further making me confused.
“Party? Monday night? What the hell is going on?”
“you seriously can't remember anything? Geez! Today's Wednesday Astrid. You fainted around 11 something pm on Monday because Gianna got hit by that awful wave.”

My head started to spin as soon as those words left Hailey's mouth. The memory of my experience at the hospital became clear again. Dad looking all weary and sad; the doctor saying I had partial amnesia…mum. Mum! My heart raced as the dead look in her eyes came back to me.

I felt Hailey stop the car and then reach out for my face. She turned my head so that I was looking at her.
“She's fine Astrid…Gianna. I saw her yesterday. She's just quarantined and under tight supervision at the new hospital that My father just built.”
“It was my fault right? I did something that caused my sister harm again.” I choked out and Hailey shook her head.
“You didn't do anything.”
“I always do something Hailey— always. It's worse that I can't even remember anything asides the family picnic that occurred during summer.”
“Everything's fine Astrid. Now, check inside the dashboard. There are some gloves and nose masks there. It's already compulsory everyone wears them.”
“No..no…no..” I whispered softly covering my face with my hands. The wave had hit my family again. How was I going to face mum and convince her that I didn't mean to put Gianna in that state when I couldn't even remember the party!

“Oh God!” I groaned out and leaned backwards.

“It's going to be fine. Everything's going to be fine.” Hailey said again trying to coax me.

Still a bit derailed, I numbly pulled on the gloves and nose mask before getting out of the car.

The looks were the first thing I noticed.

Then…the whispers.

They followed me everywhere. It felt strangling. Knowing everyone was talking about you but all you could do was stay silent. A short assembly was called to welcome me back which made me feel worse.

Their looks held fake pity…and behind that fake pity was disgust…and fear.

They probably want to rid of me. They didn't want me but they had no choice.

Just like Daxter.

Was this how he'd felt…or still feels?

My classes went their usual way. The only difference was the stares and distance I was given. Hailey stuck with me throughout the whole morning, not the slightest bit bothered that they could also ignore her.

“You have to stop.” I muttered on our way to the cafeteria. Hailey stopped in her tracks and faced me.

“Stop what?”

“Sticking with me like I'm a vase that's going to shatter any moment from now. I may not have the wave but Gia has it. I'm an outcast even though they won't say it. They're probably silent because I'm the school president.”
Hailey scoffed as if I just said the most stupid thing she'd ever heard in her entire life.
“You're kidding right?” …. “Right?”

I sighed. “You're just gonna let people treat you like shit because of me? It doesn't feel right.”
“You're my best friend Astrid.”
“That's why! I don't want you taking on this because you feel obligated to.”
“What part of bestfriend don't you understand? I don't feel obligated Astrid. I'm doing this because I care for you.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the cafeteria door. “Stop worrying Ash. All this will pass soon. You'll see.”

Right! It would. Gianna will get better and things will return to how it formally was.

I ignored the sinking feeling I had in my gut as I stepped into the cafeteria and it fell silent. Despite the way eyes followed me around, I held my head up and walked with Hailey to my reserved table.

Just as we took our seats, Sofia walked over with the twins and some of the cheerleaders. My heart skipped at the smile on Sofia's face.

It was…cunning.

“Hey there Astrid. I would love to go through the trouble of asking how you're doing and how Gigi is but we all know the answer to that so I'll just go straight to the point. You're off the cheerleading team.”

“What!”

That was Hailey. Me on the other hand…i was silent… barely surprised by her announcement. I knew she was going to draw a red line. The sudden hit of The wave on my family just made it easier and quicker.

I raised my eyes to meet hers. She returned my stare with a challenging look s if to say ‘refuse me, i dare you.’

“You can't do this Sofia.” Hailey continued once she noticed my silence. “She's the school president.”

Sofia laughed and faced Hailey. “Oh that…you should consider stepping down Astrid.” She looked back at me again. “No…not consider…you should step down. Our school doesn't need an outcast like you as the president.”

There was that word I was waiting so bad for someone to say out loud. A similar setting flashed through my mind. Only this time, Daxter…12 year old Daxter was in my place.

13 year old crying Daxter…

And I'd also casted him out…

I stared around the very silent hall. I locked eyes with Eddie but he looked away.

So this was how it felt…this was how falling felt.

Daxter…

Power
It was what everyone wanted…what they all craved…what made the town infested…

And, it was also what was killing us all….slowly