Chapter 1

“Years ago there was a suicide. A woman stabbed herself in the stomach rather than straight into the heart to punish herself for the sins she had committed. Although the pain was horrid, she didn’t scream because she wanted no one to save her. You must be wondering, what caused it.” The storyteller looked at everyone waiting for a response. Most of them had closed their ears not wanting to listen anymore. Some were nodding their head curios of what was about to happen.

                                                                                

“The sin that she had committed was causing the death of her whole family over one simple mistake. She could never forgive herself. Every single day that she lived, the memories haunted her. The day when it all happened was during her 16^th birthday on the 29^th of February. She was so happy that finally her birthday came after waiting for 4 years to past. Everyone there was smiling with joy in their eyes and laughter filled the mansion when the comedian made jokes on the stage. It was raining outside but inside the hall was filled with joy.

It was all wonderful until a group of gangster with guns broke in. Bullets were shot and everyone ran in fear. Her mother got hit by a bullet and fell to the floor. Other people were shot too. Blood covered the floor and laughter that filled the room before had changed into screams of pain. She crawled to her mother even though her legs were bleeding. She held her mother’s hand and begged her to stay alive.

With the last inch of strength, her mother said “I love you dear and please take care of yourself. Good bye.” Her mother smiled as she took her last breath and closed her eyes. She called out her mothers name but there was no reply. Her mother’s hand felt lifeless and cold. She cried and cried. She didn’t even notice that someone was pointing a gun to her head.

“Just kill me.” She said but the man only stood there, staring at her. “You already murdered my family and my friends. Why don’t you just kill me now?” She looked back and saw her best friend, the one that she trusted with everything. “Why?” She looked at him with a confuse face. However no response was given. She looked up and saw her friends eyes filled with nothing but darkness.

“Aren’t you going to answer me or why don’t you just kill me?” She yelled it to him since she couldn’t do anything else. Her hands were red from the blood of her mother and hers. Her face also had blood splattered on her face. She stared at him.

“No. I’m not going to kill you. Because now everyday you live, you will think of me and you will remember it’s your entire fault. The day when you couldn’t do anything to save the people you care about. Remember if you say or breathe a word of what happened today, one more life will be killed in your place.” He shot a man on the chest and that man screamed in pain. “See…” He looked back at me with no facial expression.

“Why?” She just stared at him. “Why do you need to do this to me? We were friends and I trusted you. You were kind and considerate. You wouldn’t even hurt a fly. Who are you? You’re not the person I’ve met before.” Then something came into her mind. She looked down, away from his face and closed her eyes shut tight making tears fall out. “Is it because of money?” She gripped her hands tight and punched it to the floor.

“If it was a part of it would it make any difference?” He put his gun away and said it with no sense of guilt.

“I knew it...” Someone hit her head from the back and made her faint.

“Do you want to bring her along? Since she’s quite a beauty and if we sell her off we might get a good pay out of it, or we could just kill her?” A man asked him while he looked at the girl.

“Leave her. The cops will be here soon. Let’s get what we want and leave.” He sternly said and called out everyone to leave. The man obliged what his boss said and followed him.

After 20 minutes the policemen arrived. When they walked in all they could see was blood on the floor and on the walls, dead bodies of people lying flat on the ground and cases of bullets. They put on their gloves and started to look for any survivor. A teenager came running into the scene and ran towards a girl. They tried to pull the girl away from the teenager. She eventually lets the girl go and was brought out of the mansion. They checked if she was still alive, blood was still oozing out of her legs and her heart rate was very weak. She was quickly brought into the ambulance and driven to the hospital.

At the police station

“Who are you? What is your connection to this girl?” The policeman asked looking at the suspicious girl. The girl wiped her tears.

“I am Maya Marissa Mathew. I was a part of the Mathew family until…my ex-father disowned me. I am the sister of that girl. I was supposed to wish my sister a “Happy Birthday.” ” Maya broke down and cried. A policeman tried to calm her down. “It’s okay.” Maya wiped the tears away. “What had happened? Did anyone else survive?” Maya looked at the policeman.

“No, only your sister survived but she might not be able to recover from the shock. We all believe it was a robbery because all the valuable items were stolen. But we are not completely sure who planned it.” The policeman looked at her with compassion.

She asked putting her head on her arm. “Can see her?”

“Yes. Except you could only meet her after we are completely sure of your identity.” The policemen went out and finished their jobs while Maya cried till she couldn’t cry anymore.

At the hospital

“How is the girl doing?” The inspector asked the doctor. He flipped through the results and looked neither happy nor sad.

“She’s stable right now but please don’t disturb her. The operation was a success. Luckily none of the bullets hit any vital vein. The bullets in her legs were taken out and now her legs are healing. She will not be able to walk until then. She will also be given pain killers for the pain. Have you found any family members that could take care of her until then?” The doctor looked at the inspector with a sad look on his face.

“Yes my colleague called and he told me that they had a girl named Maya Marissa Mathew who claimed to be this girl’s sister.” The inspector puts his hands in his pocket and looked solemnly at the girl who had no one but a sister that could also be an imposter. “Until she wakes up I will pay all of her bills.” He said to the doctor while he looked down to the floor.

“You don’t have to. Someone else had already paid all of her bills and that someone even bought a wheelchair for her to use until her legs recover.” The doctor walked towards the door and pushed it.

“Who did that?” The inspector asked curiously and confused. He quickly turned his face to see the doctor.

“The man was John Thomson. He said he was an acquaintance of the girl and paid the bills. After that he left. Anyway I have to leave now, I have another patient on hold.” The doctor answered, took a glance of the girl and left the room. The inspector called his co-worker to check the background of the man named John Thomson and for them to assign two policemen to take care of her. He pulled a chair and sat next to the girl. He asked “Why were you the only who survived little girl?” He looked at the girl wondering whether it was a good luck or a curse that she had to live with.

The next day the girl woke up. She looked around and saw a white ceiling and a window on her right side. She knew what she had dreamt was real but she wanted it to just be a nightmare. She sat up and saw two strangers sleeping on the chairs. “Who are you? Where am I?” She asked to the two strangers. They quickly woke up and had a surprise look on their faces. They walked to her and the woman sat on the small corner of her bed

“You’re in a hospital and we have been assigned by our police officer to take care of you. I am Adeline and he is Jake.” The woman said it softly to her. Adeline was afraid that the girl would freak out from all that was going on.

“That means that what I have dreamt about is real.” She stopped talking and became silent for a while. “Can you guys, please leave for a while?” They were about to shake their heads but she stopped them by saying. “Don’t worry I won’t do anything stupid. I just need some time alone. If it would make you happy, you can take all the sharp objects out of the room.” She smiled weakly at them as she tried to hold back the tears in her eyes. They nodded their heads and took all the sharp items, then left the room.

When they were finally out of the room, she looked at the window and saw families smiling with joy while holding each others hands. The tears in her eyes started to flow out. She didn’t make a single sound. She didn’t want anyone to know the pain she was feeling inside. Both Adeline and Jake knew the girl was crying but all they could do was just wait until she stopped. They bowed their heads in sympathy.

After 20 minutes

Jake knocked the door and said “You have a visitor. It’s your sister.”

“You can let her in.” She said it wiping the tears on her face. She stared out of window not even taking a glance of Maya. Maya came in smiling and yet there was sympathy in her eyes. “Why did you come back?” She hugged herself, still not even taking a simple glance of Maya.

“That’s not the way you should talk to your own sister.” Maya put the basket of fruits on the drawers next to the bed.

“No but you’re not my sister ever since you left that day. You never even tried to come see me in any way. You have left us but now you are back. What’s the catch?” Her eyes were filled with anger toward her sister.

“I came here to wish you a “Happy Birthday” but when I arrived I saw police cars and tons of policemen. I panicked and ran inside to see you lying there with blood covering your body. I was afraid I lost you.” A tear escaped Maya’s eyes and she wiped it away. The girl hugged herself tighter because she felt cold inside.

“I was the troublesome kid but you would always try to help me. You were there when mom and dad didn’t care but I didn’t want to burden you anymore. I also had enough of everything, I wanted to feel loved. Luckily I did but I didn’t have my family to enjoy it with. I got married and it’s with a good man.” Maya walked closer towards the girl. “Can you please look at me sis? I’m sorry for what I did but I won’t regret it. I love this man and I wouldn’t exchange anything for the love I have for him.”  Maya looked at the ring on her finger and smiled sweetly. The girl turned her face towards Maya and saw the smile she made. A small piece of her heart accepted the marriage but the other wanted her sister to stay the same like old times.

“What makes you think he is a good man?” The girl faced her and looked at her straight into the eyes. Maya took a chair and sat on it. Maya held her hands together, putting them on her lap and smiled at the girl.

“Well he is just like you. He would always take care of me and make sure I’m safe. Not like the other men I met before. You know what’s funny, he scolded me when I smoked or drank alcohol, and it was like you were him. At the end I stopped all the bad habits I had before. He was the one who asked me to go and see you on your birthday. He wanted me to reunite with my family again and be happy. He even promises to work hard on getting the blessing of my parents. But I guess that won’t be able happen now.” The smile on Maya’s face turned into a frown. She looked at her hands and tears fell. The girl let go of herself and hugged Maya.

“Maya please don’t cry. Mom and dad forgave you long ago. All they wanted was just for you to come back home. They are in a better place now so we better not make them feel sad or worried anymore. I forgave you too but I was angry. It took you such a long time to notice. The good thing is that you’re back safe and sound.” The girl said it softly to Maya and it sounded as if the anger and pain had disappeared from her heart.

“Little sis what happened? What killed our parents?” Maya muffled it out while she still sobbed on the girl’s chest. Before the girl could even answer a nurse came in with her medicine and an envelope. Then the nurse passed them to her and told that a man gave it to her, saying it was urgent that the girl in room 1312 to receive the letter. The girl curiously opened it and saw there was a letter inside with a locket. The locket her parents gave her before the party started. She picked up the locket and pressed the emerald on it. The locket opened. There was a picture of her mom and dad on one side and a picture of her and Maya on the other. She knew who gave it and asked Maya to go outside for a while. Maya was reluctant to leave at first but when she saw the look on her sister’s face she knew it was serious and left.

The girl took out the letter and opened it slowly. The words were written in blood, “If you tell another living soul a life shall be taken as payment for yours.” Her hands were shaking and the letter fell down. The memories came flashing back through her mind. Her hands were put on her ears as she tried to make the sound of bullets being shot and the sound of people screaming in pain, disappear. She trembled in fear remembering the horrible memory once more. She closed her eyes tight and begged for it to stop.

Maya, Adeline and Jake felt something was wrong and burst into the room. They saw the girl hysterically begging for something to stop. Maya and Adeline quickly ran towards the girl and tried to calm her down. Jake saw the paper and took it. The girl snapped back when she saw it and yell don’t but it was too late. Jake got shot on the stomach and fell on the floor. Adeline looked out the window and saw a person on the roof. Adeline rushed to Jake’s side and pressed to wound to stop it from bleeding.

“Go! Find the person now before he gets away.” Jake pushed her away; Adeline was hesitant on leaving him. “I’ll be fine.” Jake tried to reassure her. She dashed out of there to chase the person. She held her gun close to her. When she held the gun Jake’s blood dripped on it. It fueled her to run faster and catch the man who did it. While Adeline was running up the stairs, doctors rushed in and took Jake away. The girl was quivering in fear and Maya tried to calm her down. The girl pushed Maya away and she crawled off the bed. Maya wanted to help but the girl stopped her. She didn’t want anymore blood to be spilled. She took the letter and kept it in her pocket. After that she told Maya to keep it a secret from the police.

“No! I’m not keeping this a secret if that would lead to who killed our parents. I’m sorry.” Maya wanted to run out of the room but the girl held on her legs and pleaded her not to.

“Maya please don’t, it wouldn’t lead anywhere only more lives would be killed. I already have enough on my shoulder.” The girl held on Maya leg tightly. “I already lost mom and dad. I don’t want to lose a sister too.” Maya stopped struggling and thought of the pain her sister had to endure everyday. Maya went down to her knees and pulled the girl to herself, giving her a hug. She promised the girl she would keep it a secret until the day she died. The girl hugged Maya back still shivering in fear.

Adeline arrived there and saw the person. She told him to push his shot gun away and raise both of his hands up but the sniper looked back at her smiling. The sniper had a gun in his hands and pointed it to his head. Adeline told him to stop but the sniper said “Finally I’m going to be free.” Adeline sprinted to stop him but it was too late. The sniper already pulled the trigger. Blood and bits of brain came splattered out the other side. The sniper was dead and Adeline called the police station. She reported the incident and the police station sent the investigators. Adeline waited there. Suddenly an old lady came in through the door. Adeline was wondering who it was.

“Sorry ma’am you’re not allowed to be here.” Adeline said politely to the elderly woman.

“I’m sorry but have you seen my son? He always comes up here for some fresh air.” The aged woman looked around and saw the body behind Adeline. She became shock and put her hand to her mouth. The woman’s eyes were filled with tears.

“What is it ma’am?” The elderly woman pointed to the dead body and Adeline looked back. “Is he your son?” Adeline was shocked but no one could see it since she was too tired. The woman nodded and tears fell from her eyes. “Please don’t cry ma’am.” Adeline walked towards the woman, trying to comfort her.

“Christopher…” The woman sobbed and Adeline watched feeling miserable for not being able to do anything. Jake was in surgery fighting for his life. The girl was just trying to keep people from dying in her place while Maya was torn between the need to find the killer of her parents and to keep her sisters secret. Everyone was tied in a knot that they can’t untie themselves.

The girl was carried back onto the bed and given sleeping pills. Maya sat beside her stroking her hair away from her face. Someone knocked the door and walk into the room. It was Adeline. “How’s Jake?” Maya looked at her tired and worried.

“He survived the surgery but he is still in critical stage. He still hasn’t woken up.” Adeline sat on a chair. She puts her head to her hands feeling frustrated and tired. Maya was also tired but she couldn’t leave her sister alone.

“Adeline, you should go home and take some time to rest.” Maya suggested it to her hoping she would agree. Adeline was going to decline her offer but it was stopped when, Maya continued with “Anyway the inspector is coming to visit her soon. We are also going to change the room to another as soon as possible. If you want you can help us transfer her to another room then you could leave.” Maya sounded very calm and conserve even though she is emotionally exhausted.

“Sure that would help me from worrying too much.” Adeline gave a weak smile and accepted Maya suggestion. Maya smiled back at Adeline and continued taking care of her sister.