Hey everybody! Just checked my profile and realised that 'Susie Summer' is #660 on the Short Story genre! I am delighted and have to thank all you supporters for that. Just to demonstrate the extent of my joy, I will update the next chapter by Sunday so as to keep you guys happy too! I really hope you like the song choice for this chapter! It's 'I Lived' by OneRepublic. This chapter is dedicated to plaidskinnyjeans for being an amazing friend! I love you Ant Man. Enjoy kids!

Weekly Discussion Thread: Summer's here! Whatcha gonna do?
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The coldness submerged, settling on skin as rough as sandpaper and running like flowing water through my permeable body. Everywhere I turned, its presence remained unwavering like the stoic figure of Mrs Weaver, our next door neighbour. A feather sailed towards me, dancing in the air like a skilled ballerina, each sway and plié so meticulous, it would put human skill to shame. There was something about the way it was falling, drifting to the ground that brought a shiver down my neck. As it neared the floor, a shade of crimson blotches formed flecks on it. The bloody mess made me stiffen and I felt a twisting pain reach my body.

My eyes snapped open, instantly forcing my heartbeat to return to normalcy. The panicked breathing routine began, air wheezing in and out of my lungs. Blinking, I glanced at my surfboard resting against the turquoise walls, my cluttered desk strewn with manuscript and blunt pencils and a book, open at a random page with blotched calligraphy from when I had spilled chocolate milk on it. Okay, so it was just a dream.

It had been a week since Robbie's breakdown at Paul's house and I hadn't heard from him since. His intention to stay with his sick mother was clear when he ignored my texts and calls each night. A series of wheezing coughs snapped me back to the present and I threw away the bedcovers, reaching for my flip-flops. I immediately recognised the familiar creaking of my parents' bedroom door opening; my mom's voice sounded muffled a few minutes later, I heard her feet quickly run down the stairs. With a deep thudding heart, I made my way out of the room and down the stairs, following as curiosity escalated.

The coughing grew louder, more intense and painful. I could almost feel the same pain in my chest each time I heard it and tried not to wince. Mom's voice was louder now, almost trembling with fear. Something was wrong. As I creeped past the living room, I noticed Willow's absence, with bedsheets strewn on the floor. My ears even picked up Natalie's voice and Dad's swearing growing closer to where I was. Something was definitely wrong if everybody was awake. The lights turned on and my Dad's eyes widened in fear at first and then relaxed when he saw me rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

In his hands were two towels but that wasn't the worst part. They were drenched in a deep red mess, bloody spatters dotting the white cotton. His shirt was also covered in the same colour. My palms grew clammy and I tried to gulp back the daunting truth of what was happening. "Dad. What is going on?"

"Honey. Lena's really sick tonight. We've called one of the doctors to come here. I think this is probably the worst Lena has faced."

The words felt like a huge slap across the face and I stumbled backwards slightly before running past him and towards the bathroom. It was a mess. Blood was spattered across the sink and the toilet seats and Lena's face was a pale and sickly bluish-green hue. Mom put her hand out, gesturing at me to take Natalie away from there but I was frozen in shock. Dad was right. The way Lena was holding her head in her hands seemed as though she wanted to yank it off and end the pain. Her legs were too weak so she was lying on the white tiles through continued coughs. Her eyes were swollen and thin lips disappeared into her face. I noticed tears trickling down her face in pain.

"I don't want Susie to see me like this." Lena's voice was only a small whisper, indistinguishable to many but louder than a concert in my ears.

Willow grabbed Natalie and walked towards me. My eyes widened in shock when she unexpectedly grabbed my arm too, dragging us both towards the living room and seating us on her sofa bed. My breathing quickened and it felt like my throat was constricting, not allowing enough air into my lungs. Dizziness overtook me and the world was soon spinning, a blur of colourful anger and shock penetrating through my thoughts.

The phone rang, monotonous trills echoing in my ear; time slowed and every action was magnified, emphasising reality and eradicating misconceptions. The first thought in my mind told me to run back inside and stay with Lena, but she didn't want me; I had to respect that.

Lena's coughing suddenly stopped and the silence seemed to be the loudest scream I had heard in my lifetime. Fear and confusion settled as I fought against Willow to run to my sister.

"HARRY!" I turned my head so quickly when my mom shouted for my Dad. Panic forced its way into my system and Willow pulled me into her, as if already anticipating my next reaction. The tears arrived, bringing a flood with it and I buried my head into her shoulder and tried to shake away my fears. Struggling against her tight hold, I continued crying and screamed into her pyjamas. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks and I kept shaking my head.

"I have to wake up." My voice was muffled as I spoke through sobs.

"Susie, you are awake."

Dark storms and thunders reigned in my mind and the peaceful summer vanished, leaving a gaping, empty void inside me, vulnerable to penultimate peril. The pain was protruding through me like a million battle scars all forming at once but Willow was strong enough to hold me in a tight hug, stopping me from lashing out.
***
The doorbell must've rang because I was awoken by a shrill noise. Or was that a scream?

The next second, I heard a familiar voice speaking in hushed whispers. "How are they? Is Susie okay?"

My face felt blotchy with tears and I found Mom sitting on the opposite sofa, with crossed legs and a mug in her trembling hands. Her lips quivered and Dad was stroking her hair softly, his arms wrapped around her. Natalie was sleeping soundly on his lap, hugging the Tinker Bell doll she was obsessed with. Both of them turned their gazes at me as I shifted on the sofa.

No words were exchanged. Just simples nods. They seemed to say: 'We'll be okay,' but I already knew that wasn't the case.

A tall figure walked in, familiar soft brown hair and eyes approaching me. As he sat down next to me, I felt the cushion creak and then arms encasing me. Willow sat on a chair, slightly distancing herself from the rest of us. My eyes instinctively moved to the bathroom, only to find it shut... barricaded from me.

From what Willow told me, after I had cried myself to sleep, the doctors had arrived and taken Lena from us. Willow cleaned up the bathroom and had called Robbie, telling him the news. So he was the first to know. The house was so silent, it was almost haunting me and I desperately wanted to get away from everyone. Reality seemed so surreal and my mind couldn't process thoughts consistently; everything was a mixture of confusion yet one thing was clear: Lena was gone.

The Summer house remained this way for the rest of the day; silent.

Cracks ran through our family before my very eyes and our  our bridge could not withhold the heavy grief that was surfacing within. Lena was the only person who had held us together, acting like the binding string in our family. And now, she had disappeared and so had the bond.

My mom, as if in a dazed state, looked up at me and smiled tightly, keeping her emotions hidden although she was unsuccessful in doing so. "We need to call relatives and friends. Tell them. We've got lots of things to do. No point sitting around."

Her stern anger sliced through me, sizzling like acid and I blinked back the tears in my eyes. Robbie was taken aback and I could feel his heaving chest, sharing my upset. When I looked at Willow, she turned away from me but I had already seen the tears welling in her eyes.

"Natasha, I know you're upset." My dad began but was cut off by her fuming stare. For the first time, his voice was
wobbly with sadness. He was trying very hard not to break; in fact, I think everyone was. He squeezed the handle of the mug extremely hard before looking away in pain. I noticed the red puffy spots in both their faces and gulped back the rocky ball of grief. The pain erupted like a fast-flowing volcano and I shifted in Robbie's arms, trying to hide my sadness.

"It's time to move on. We knew it was coming." She now had tears in her eyes but turned away quickly, trudging to her room and slamming the door shut. Natalie awoke with a start but Dad scooped her in his arms and followed my mom. Their footsteps receded, leaving me alone with Willow and Robbie.

I wanted to cry again at the thought that Natalie didn't realise what was happening. She didn't deserve this.
My parents didn't either. Worst of all, Lena didn't have to die. Anger rushed towards me in tumultuous waves and I balled my hands into fists. I needed to be alone. A bitter taste formed on my tongue and I attempted to get rid of it but in vain; the poison was too strong to be destroyed.

"I'm going to my room." Shaking off Robbie's arms, I walked away slowly without turning back, all of his warmth leaving me and a numbing cold replacing it. I heard Willow sniff and wanted to tell her everything was alright but how could I when I myself didn't believe that? Everyone was upset to the point of breaking and I needed to gather my
thoughts first before talking to anyone else.
***
My door remained shut for the rest of the week, apart from when I needed the toilet or if Natalie was having nightmares. She slipped into my arms, wriggling next to me throughout the entire night and leaving me alone for the day. The fact that she was quiet made me feel at ease; at least I didn't have to explain anything to her without breaking down.

During the days, I heard Mom calling six to seven people, crying over the phone and each time, she was just getting dragged deeper into the world of grief. Each time her voice cracked just a little more, her sobs grew just a little louder and her happiness sputtered out until there was no fire left in her soul. At night, Dad comforted her sometimes before retreating back to working on Willow's case.

I had switched off my phone, blocking off anyone who tried to offer their sympathy and a black vine seemed to be entwining around my heart. Once or twice Willow knocked, offering lunch or dinner but after a few minutes of silence, she left, sighing and sniffing.

I heard my door creak and Natalie squeeze in before shutting it again. She walked towards me, her small arms reaching out for a hug. I sat on the window ledge, watching the waves rushing to shore and Natalie climbed up to sit next to me, her pigtails flying as she did so.

"Where's Lena? I want to play hide and seek."

There was the question I had been dreading to answer.

My body nearly fell of the window ledge and I ended up hitting my head against the pane of glass, in shock. Her innocent eyes begged for her sister and I gulped desperately trying to wriggle my way out of this confrontation.

"She left, Nat." I choked on my own words and bowed me head down to hide the tears.

"Left?" An innocent squeak escaped her lips and my heart shattered for her.

"Yes. She's going on a long journey, far away from home. She told me to tell you she loves you, okay? You remember that."

Natalie nodded lightly but I already knew what was coming. Her face reddened and her lips quivered. Silent tears trickled down her poofy cheeks and she crawled towards me, snuggling in my bony arms. For some reason, my clothes felt like they had grown bigger.

"She left without me."

I looked away, trying to ignore the sniffs and trembling little body of Natalie but grief overwhelmed me and dragged me down to its deepest crevices.

"Susie? You want some dinner? I made Mac and Cheese." Willow knocked on my door and I counted down twenty seconds before anticipating the routine footsteps fade away back downstairs. Yet they didn't come. Checking the clock to confirm that it had been twenty seconds, I blinked, wondering why she hadn't left yet.

The door burst open, the doorknob rattling to the floor as
Willow walked in, her eyes widening when she saw the state of me. I probably looked like a hobo in stolen clothes, trying to abduct Natalie.

"Oh my god, Susie!" She stomped over to me with flushed cheeks and grabbed my arm softly. Her gasp was loud and clear and she dropped my arm instantly, taking a closer look at my figure.

"What?" I snapped angrily and noticed Natalie slipping out of the room. Mom was calling our names from the kitchen but I ignored her voice.

"You need to eat something." Willow's voice trembled with fear as she kept looking at me. By now, I had had enough of her staring at me. Anger blazed in my eyes and I spat out the words.

"I'm not hungry. You aren't even a part of the family, so don't order me around."

I immediately clamped my mouth shut when I heard the words that had escaped me but it was too late. Willow was furious as she glared at me; to my surprise however, she did not walk out, upset. Instead, she stood her ground, grasped my hand so tightly that the circulation was cut off and dragged me out. She ignored my kicking and screaming, forcing me down the stairs and I had never been more mad at her in my entire life.

As we reached downstairs, my Dad walked over to us and took my hand, taking me to the dining table. "I don't want it." I screamed at the food, only getting angrier when my eyes fell on Lena's empty space. "Let me go."

I was breathing heavily but it seemed as though the entire family had planned on dragging me out of my room. My mom was nearly in tears when she saw my face but my Dad tried to hide his concerns. Seriously, what was wrong? Did I have poo on me or something?

They settled me down on my chair and I stared angrily at the food. "I. DONT. WANT. IT." My voice was quieter and I tried to make it sound deadly, warning them that I was ready to kill somebody today if they didn't leave me alone. I was pretty darn serious too as I was eyeing the fork next to me!

"Fine. You don't want it. But the rest of us want to eat. You can keep us company." Mom seated herself on a chair and everyone began to dig in.

"Fine." I spat out.

Willow moaned in delight and I narrowed my eyes at her, gritting my teeth in anger. I knew what they were doing but it wasn't helping. "Don't try to tempt me. It won't work."

Glaring at everyone, I balled my hands into fists but remained quiet. The smell of the melted cheese and the pasta drifted to my nose, making my mouth water but I stayed put, determined not to give up on my hunger strike.  This was a test of willpower and I hated my parents for doing this when I was grieving the loss of Lena; how spiteful were they?! Willow looked out at me from the corner of her eye but instantly went back to concentrating on the food when I caught her in the act.

My tastebuds were tingling and my hands itched to grab the fork and clean the plate. One bite wouldn't hurt. My eyes widened at the food and I found my stomach growling in hunger; aww dammit!

I lunged for the fork and gorged myself in mac and cheese, completely obvious to everyone around the table. Oh, the first bite felt like edible gold in my mouth and I sighed, relaxing into my chair. My mom looked slightly relieved and Dad let out a heavy sigh. Willow grinned happily before going back to her meal.

First meal after four days. First meal since Lena's death.

I glanced up and my eyes drifted to the empty seat and the void clogged inside me, hurting my throat. An image of her eighth birthday party flashed across my vision and I heard the echo of her laughter as she blew out the candles in her fairy costume. One minute she was here. The next she was gone.

I looked down and pretended to enjoy the rest of dinner. Everyone was feeling the same way but nobody had the strength to reach out and assure us it was going to be alright.

"I need to organise the funeral. Susie, will you help?" My head snapped up and I noticed the pain in my mom's eyes. She was being strong for all of us and I appreciated it.

"Yeah." I knew Dad and Willow were busy with the case. The day for the open hearing was on the same day as Lena's funeral but the judge had agreed to give us some time before everything began.

I laughed bitterly at the situation we were in; the accumulated sadness was weighing us down, muddling minds and preventing us from moving on. The irony was, Lena's final wish was for all of us to let go.

But letting go isn't what you expected it to feel like.
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Hello! I know... I know what I did. Don't hate me! But aside the huge climatic turning point, did you like this chapter people? Tell me... Did I take you by surprise? Was it predictable? Was it boring? Do you want to kill me?