Amanda
Bang!
Came the distant sound, leaving stillness in its wake.
My eyes widened at the scene;
The bloody stranger, the speeding car just a few meters away, my racing heart, all a reminder of how fragile life really was.
My mind spun with countless thoughts, rushing in all at once as my arms tightened on the steering wheel.
I should just drive away, pretend I saw nothing. But my body didn't listen.
Not when my feet betrayed me, my arms fumbled on the car door, and in the next moment, I was already at the hospital waiting for news.
Any news, just not bad news.
My hopes flared as my eyes narrowed on the hollow, eerie passageway leading to the ER ward.
My heart pounding with desperation, the way one would for a loved one, or any close relative, to pull through that fragile string between life and death.
"Please stay with me."
"Don't give up yet."
I imagined my eyes locking into those sets of unfamiliar eyes, holding so much hope for him as he fought through.
Those words I would least expect from anyone, at least not my kind.
Not when I was termed the traitorous, wolfless, and worthless daughter.
The impromptu crack of the door jolted me and I hurried over.
The doctor appeared, his gaze was unreadable, a warning signal I refused to acknowledge.
"Doctor," my voice cracked as I stared at him.
He shook his head.
"From the report… I'm afraid…" he paused, looking ahead.
Surprised, I spun.
My veins stiffened as my eyes met those of a tall, unfamiliar figure approaching, followed by two men, with one dressed in the livery of a guard.
Something stirred in me. Too real to acknowledge.
They were twins.
The stranger I just saved bore the same striking resemblance as him, except for a little difference in the way their hair was neatly arranged.
"How is he?"
His sharp voice cut through my thoughts and I sniffed, releasing the breath I never knew I was holding.
"He's just hanging on, but there's an issue," the doctor reported after a slight bow.
They moved pass like I was invisible.
Not even a turn in my direction, nor a simple thank you, or was that why I was worried?
Standing there, wrestling with my thoughts, whether to go after them or to just slide back to the pillar or better go back to my car.
Sliding into the seat, my head rested over the steering as my thoughts wandered to hours ago.
The heated conversation with Keira, Dad's one-sided judgment, the silent drive to cool my head, at least for the longest time I could buy myself out of the walls of that building that bore so much pain and agony.
Same as had encrypted a hollow in my heart. That which would never change no matter how hard I tried to please everyone.
I was never the cherished daughter. Keira had always been, and would always be. I was just a spare to hold onto for the long years of waiting until they finally got theirs.
I sniffed, blinking down tears I never knew had gathered.
The thoughts of the stranger stealing the moment off my agony.
Down that empty street, I had watched as a car knocked down an individual by the roadside.
Whoever it was should have stopped to help, but he never did, and my heart, it never could just let me drive past without a helping hand, at least to the dying stranger.
The dripping of his blood never leaving my subconscious, a quick reminder that we just had only one life to live.
I sucked in air, assuring myself that no matter what, I wasn't going to let my family break me. I was going to fight for what's mine. What has always been mine to keep, Neto.
My high school crush and boyfriend.
The loud clapping of thunder stole the moment off my thoughts as I turned on the engine of the car.
But as I drove out of the hospital compound, my heart betrayed me once more. My thoughts lingered on what issue the doctor would have meant.
Just maybe I should wait to see how he was doing? I should just walk back in and hear it myself.
But no, instead I drove off.
The silver-colored gate appearing in the distance reminded me I was back home. Back to the misery I was trying to run away from.
Just for a second, I thought the world would give us chances to choose, I would have had a better option other than being the adoptive daughter of the Moores.
A title, without a promise.
I gulped, driving into the compound, but paused as I caught sight of the scene before me.
There they were, my dad, mum, Keira at the side of the door. Two strangers stood opposite them in a conversation but halted when they noticed my presence.
Eyes turned in my direction.
The familiarity all striking me like a thunderstorm. He was the one, same as was with the stranger a few moments ago in the hospital.
How did he get here and what was he looking for?
Or perhaps they had come to appreciate my kind gesture to save one of theirs?
If so, I was far from acknowledging their presence as well.
I hissed, stepping forward, ignoring the cold stare from the people I called family. Just about turning the handle of the door when a hand held onto mine.
Stunned, I turned, meeting the grimaced look on the other stranger dressed as a guard.
"I'm sorry, but you have to come with us," he announced.
Before I could hold onto the meaning of his words, I found my knees buckled as I was dragged along like a common criminal.
"Let go!" I fought against the fierce grip.
But they were stronger than I could ever imagine.
"I would advise you to comply," the calm stranger advised.
My eyes widened with every bit of confusion. Those lingered in my heart, with no response.
They shoved me into the car, but then something else struck me so hard, and I sniffed.
As the car drove out of the compound, my eyes drifted to the people I called family standing just there.
Those who would have protected me, even for a second. But no, how could I have asked for much, knowing this was my life after all?
Living as their adoptive daughter was more like a choker to my neck, a death sentence in disguise.
I gasped, turning to the stranger.
"Where to?"