When we got out of the cabin, the sky rained. David went to the car and told the driver to stall the cops while we escaped, and Reuben drove the car. I can already hear the sirens from afar. My heart jumped a little, knowing that we would be saved.

David and Reuben sat in the front seat, and Stephanie and I sat in the back.

When David said about having some fun, "This isn't the fun that I hoped for!" Stephanie exclaimed at David while he was shooting back at the cops.

The cops are chasing us, and I thought it's a good thing, but it's a bad thing, according to David, because he's shooting at them. Reuben drove the car uphill at high speed, and I'm surprised to know this mountain doesn't have dead ends.

"They said, live life a little dangerously," David said, smirking.

"Did they?"

"Hold on!" Reuben turned the steering wheel to the right at full speed, making us shift to the left side of the car. I grabbed the 'oh-shit' handle, so I didn't squash Stephanie.

"For Christ's sake, I'm getting nausea," I said while I covered my mouth from vomiting.

A gunshot went through the window of the car. And I bowed down, and I took Stephanie's head to bowed down, "Get down, you could get killed."

"Why the fuck is the cops are shooting at us! Don't they know that we're here?!" Stephanie grunted.

"Die motherfucker!" David laughed like a lunatic. He reloads his gun and continues shooting.

"You should be the one who dies, Myres!" Stephanie said furiously.

"Shit, that was the last ammo. Step on it, Reuben!" David commanded Reuben.

Suddenly I heard a popped sound from the car, "What was that?!" I asked.

"I think the wheel popped. Shit, I'm losing control," Reuben said while he's holding on to the steering wheel, "hold on again!"

I can feel the car wiggled to the right and left. Reuben stepped on the brakes, and the car slipped and flipped upside down. My head hits the window too hard, making me pass out.

When I finally regained consciousness. I only heard a sirens sound, and the door from my side opened. The person was calling for me, but I couldn't hear them. Thank God for the seatbelts because I'm hanging upside down on my seat. Blood ran from my head, dripping down to the roof of the car. I tried to move my head to see Stephanie's eyes still closed. I grasped her shirt and shook her body. I relief when she groaned in pain and opened her eyes.

Then suddenly, a hand startled me. It was reaching for my seatbelt, and I instantly grabbed it, "Hey, hey, it's alright, kid. It's me," they spoke. I look to my right to see my dad bloodshot eyes after crying. I let go of his hand and allowed him to get me out of the car.

My dad carried me in a bridal style. I look around the premises. I saw Detectives Ross and Arthur say the Miranda rights while handcuffing David and Reuben. I also saw Stephanie brought to the stretchers and went inside the ambulance. My dad lay me down on the stretchers, and the paramedics put me inside the ambulance. They put me on oxygen masks.

My dad keeps holding my hand on the way to the hospital. Then, I start to get sleepy. Ah, when was the last time I slept on a comfortable bed with a soft pillow? I tried to keep my open, but my vision was getting black.

~~~

Where am I?

I'm inside my room with. The posters are on the wall, and the desk lamp is shining my homework on the desk, my favourite guitar is sitting on the bed. I'm reading Rolling Stone magazine. I remember I always collect Rolling Stone magazine because I adore singers. I wanted to be a singer or anything in a rock band when I grew up.

When is this?

I checked my alarm to see the dates—11th March 2016.

Oh, it's the day after my birthday. But next week is the day my mom left.

Suddenly there's a knock on the door, "Honey, can I come in?" a women voice spoke.

"Yeah, sure, mom," I answered.

Mom? Oh right.

She opened the door and sat next to me. Her eyes are tired as always, "are you still reading your magazine?"

"Yeah, I got the one with Paul McCartney on the cover," I said while I showed her the cover.

"Oh, that's the Beatles vocalist. I used to listen to it with-" she suddenly stops her sentence. I know whenever she stops her sentence, it's always about dad.

"You used to listen to it with dad?" I put down the magazine and sighed, "I don't get why you two always fight."

Did I really say that back then? Wow.

My mom sighed and stroked my hair, "I know, honey, I'm sorry," she leaned down and kissed my head, "sometimes... Your dad committed stupid things that... Made me mad."

"What kinds of stupid thing? I wouldn't expect a sheriff would act like that," I said to my mom.

Because he's a wife-beater with a sheriff badge.

"I don't know," she shakes her head, "I'm sorry if your dad and I fought a lot."

I nodded.

"Enough about that. I came here because I want to talk to my daughter," she said to me.

"What is it?"

"You know, in a few months, you will graduate middle school, and you're finally a high schooler. You always talk about how much you want to be a high schooler," my mom smiled genuinely at me.

"Yeah! I can't wait for high school," I beamed.

"There's some lesson you need to learn before stepping to adulthood," She utters, and I silence myself and listen to what she has to say, "You need to walk your own path. You said you wanted to be a singer and a guitar player? Reach for it. Don't ever let someone else's goals and dreams influence your vision."

"next, don't hesitate when you should act. No matter the outcome, you will end up more intelligent than before," she proceeds, "and then, good things don't come easy. With the struggle you've received, you'll get enough amount of effort and ability to learn from your mistake. And last, take care of your health early."

I rolled my eyes when she said the last sentence, "I know you would say that."

"Please tell me you listen to the rest of what I said," My mom said.

"Yes, mom, I did thank you."

She pulled me into a hug, "also, choose the person wisely for you to love."

I nodded.

I know she was talking about her and dad being married, and years later, her husband became a wife-beater.

"But they say you don't choose love. Love comes by itself," I look up to her.

"Where did you learn that wise words?" she asked.

"I learn from the best," I said while looking at my mom.

"That is also right. But, you don't know who's your soulmate is. Even when you are married, that doesn't mean your spouse is your soul mate because there's this thing called 'divorce'," she spoke.

"Then, how do I know who's my soulmate is?" I asked in confusion.

"Well, sometimes you know that they're your soulmate," she said and sighed, "you can sense calmness around them, you respect and balance each other, and someday you'll find yourself fighting for your relationship."

"Fighting like what?"

"Like, if they're missing, you'll find them. When they give up on you, you don't give up on them. When someone is trying to get between you and your soulmate, you'll try to get rid of the third person."

Suddenly I had the idea in my mind, "how about you and dad?"

She sighed and caressed my cheek, "I'm trying to fight for us, for our family."

"Does soulmate need to be my lover, mom?" I asked.

She shakes her head, "no, they could be anyone. For example, if you know your soulmate is your best friend, you could still have a spouse and your best friend being your soulmate."

I huffed, "I'm confused."

My mom chuckled, "One day, you'll understand."

~~~

The sound of beeping echoed in my ear. I sense a touch on my hand, "Are you comfortable sleeping on the hospital bed?" a familiar voice spoke. Is that, Joanne? I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn't move my body. It's like I'm inside my subconscious.

"Please wake up. It's been two days," she spoke again, "I was worried sick about you. You were gone for a week, and now you're here in a coma for two days. Why can't you take a break? Aren't you tired?"

I'm exhausted, Joanne.

"I can't stand to see you vulnerable like this. Wound all over your body. What exactly happened to you? Stephanie wouldn't tell me even the Detective wouldn't say anything," I can hear her break down, sniffing.

Suddenly, I heard the door open, "Hey, how is she?" a familiar voice came, is that Stephanie?

"Still sleeping."

"Hmm, Mrs Everest wanted to see you. She said you need to eat," she said, and Joanne excused herself.

Mrs Everest? Why does my mom still here? And my mom wanted to see Joanne? Did I miss a whole episode or something?

I heard Stephanie pull up a chair, "Hey, Kate. I hope you can hear me right now because the doctor put my hand gips, yay," she said happily, "I mean, aw man. But, you know how much I wanted to get gips? I don't want the feeling of how painful it is. I want to experience it, you know? Don't worry, you also got gipsed but... I think yours are worse than mine. The doctor said you broke your ankle."

She quieted herself and sighed, "I missed you, dude," Stephanie grasped my hand, "How did you even get into a coma for more than a day? I mean, I woke up yesterday. I know how much they tortured you, but... I didn't expect it would be this bad."

"Anyway, everyone's here for you. When I said everyone, I mean your parents. You mom and your brother is here. They came here to see you because they're worried. Your mother, she loves you, Kate. She cares about you and your dad. And you brother, well I can say he's cute. He also misses you, you know?"

Really? After all this year, she showed up after five years. I'm not mad at my brother; I'm only mad at my mom. I wanted to scream from the bottom of my lungs, "That's bullshit," to Stephanie's face because... There's no way...

Fuck it. I'm going to try and wake up.

I tried my best to move my hand, but all I got was a slight twitching on my finger. Stephanie wouldn't notice the gesture. I tried to move again and... Yes! It moved.

"Kate? Can you hear me?" she asked, "move again if you can."

I clenched my fish to give her a sign.

"Holy shit, you sneaky bastard. Have you been listening to our conversation?" Stephanie laughed, "okay, try to open your eyes now."

I tried to raise my eyelids. It's was tough at first, but I managed to open my right eye and then my left eye. I can't see Stephanie clearly because everything is blurry, but I see Stephanie wearing a sling. I thought about what Stephanie said about my leg and looked over to see. My leg is in gips, hanged by white clothing on a pole.

"Shit, shit, you're awake. I'm going to call everyone," she said, but I stopped her. She leaned forward to me, "what is it?"

I tried to open my mouth but it feels like I've
A bulldozer has run over me, "That's... Bullshit..." I manage to speak two words.

"I don't need your bullshit right now. We'll talk later," she ran through the door, "Doctor! Anyone! The patient regains consciousness."

Then everything was happening at the same time. The doctor came and checked up on me. My eyes are getting more precise, thanks to the doctor. Everyone was inside the room. Simon, Stephanie, Joanne, Mason, My parents and... My brother, Aiden, is getting more to my dad now. They didn't rush me and talked like a maniac. They gave me some time to rest after my long sleep.

I'm okay with it, but I'm not okay when my dad left me alone with my mom and my brother.

***

Hey? how are you? you good?

don't forget to be happy!

-chicken