IT STARTS ON A BRIDGE

Chapter-3

Sarah’s perspective:

The profound source of my distress, agony, and anger that has deeply wounded me was the tragic accident involving my sister, Lisa. She possessed an extraordinary beauty and a genuinely angelic nature. My love for her surpassed anyone else's. After our grandmother, she was my sole family member. However, it was on that particular day, my birthday, when everything took a painful turn. The memories of that day continue to haunt me, causing my heart to ache whenever they resurface.

It was ten years ago in London, 2009. I was in the process of preparing for school when I heard an extremely irritated voice echoing from downstairs.

Lisa - Sarah, hurry up! We'll be late if you don't hurry.

She chimed for the fifth time, becoming increasingly annoying.

Sarah - Wait, I'll be there in two minutes.

I hurriedly replied.

Lisa - You've been using that line for the past half an hour. Come on!

She was right, but my inherent laziness always seemed to prolong any task, making it take twice as long as necessary. After five more minutes, I finally made my way downstairs, where Lisa had been standing, arms crossed over her chest, waiting for me.

Lisa - Finally, you're here. I thought I'd faint from waiting for you.

She remarked, rolling her eyes.

Sarah - Don't worry, you won't faint that easily.

I responded before bursting into laughter.

Lisa - You're so annoying, Sarah.

Sarah - Not more than you.

I retorted, and we both laughed together.

After a quick breakfast, we kissed Grandma's cheeks and headed to school. Since our school wasn't far from where we lived, we used to walk there.

Lisa - Stop playing with your bracelet. I told you not to wear it to school. Why did you disobey? You never listen. Pay attention to the road while walking and stop fiddling with it.

I had been playing with the bracelet Grandma had given me as a birthday present. Today, I planned to celebrate my birthday with Lisa, Grandma, and my school friends in the evening after classes. Lisa always assumed the role of an adult, constantly telling me what not to do, which was incredibly irritating. I ignored her most of the time. Although she told me not to wear the bracelet to school, I insisted on showing it to my friends, so I secretly wore it while she was busy elsewhere. Now, I can't wait to show it off.

Sarah - Don't worry, I'm paying attention to the road as well.

I replied, while tracing the intricate details of the magnificent bracelet.

Lisa - Sarah...

Sarah - What? I told...

Boom

I don't know what happened, but Lisa pushed me, causing me to fall to the ground and scrape my elbows. As I stood up, I witnessed the most horrifying scene of my life. Dread consumed me, and my mind was filled with chaos until realization struck, bringing clarity to the situation.

A few minutes ago...

Lisa’s perspective:

Sarah, my younger sister, my baby. I love her so much, but she never listens to me. She often ignores my advice. I warned her not to bring the bracelet to school, knowing how quickly she tends to lose things and then cry about it. She thinks I'm unaware, but I know everything about her. I understand her better than she understands herself. I was urging her to pay attention to the road when a car suddenly appeared out of nowhere, hurtling towards her at full speed. I tried to alert her, but she was too engrossed in playing with her bracelet to hear my shouts (as she was a few steps ahead of me). She finally turned around to face me, possibly realizing that I was trying to get her attention, but it was too late. I pushed her out of the car's path, attempting to evade it myself, but I was too late, too slow.

Blackout

Sarah’s perspective:

She pushed me aside, out of harm's way, and took the full impact of the car herself. I closed my eyes, and when I opened them and got back on my feet, the car had disappeared. However, the lifeless body of none other than Lisa lay motionless on the street. I screamed in horror at the sight of her and rushed to her side, kneeling down and cradling her head in my lap. She was bleeding profusely, and her blood stained both of us. It felt as though we were submerged in a sea of blood, our clothes drenched in it, while she remained unconscious. I cried out for help, and my screams attracted a crowd.

After a while, an ambulance arrived, and we were rushed to the hospital. Soon after, Grandma arrived as well. The hospital staff had contacted her using the number stored on our phone.

Grandma - What happened, Sarah? Where is Lisa? What happened to her? Tell me, my child.

I recounted everything, trembling with fear and sobbing uncontrollably.

Sarah - It's my fault. I should have paid attention. Lisa is in the surgery room. I'm waiting for the surgery to be over, and then the doctor will update us on her condition. I'm praying that everything goes well.

Grandma - It's not your fault, my dear. Don't blame yourself, and let's hope the surgery is successful.

After several hours, a doctor emerged from the surgery room.

Doctor - I'm sorry, but she's in a coma. We did everything we could. Now, it's up to Lisa herself to determine how long it will take for her to heal and wake up.

Upon hearing the doctor's words, Grandma fainted, and I rushed to her side, offering support and helping her onto the couch.

A week later...

Nearly a week has passed since the accident, and thank goodness, Lisa is recovering quickly. However, she still remains in a coma. It has become our daily routine to visit her in the hospital after school. Grandma runs a small flower shop, and she closes it in the afternoon so that we can visit Lisa. We were getting ready to go see her when a call came from the hospital. We recognized the number, as it was saved on our phone for emergencies. For a brief moment, I entertained the thought that maybe, just maybe, Lisa had finally awakened. Happiness briefly washed over me, only to vanish the instant I heard the voice of the doctor at the other end of the line.

Doctor - I'm sorry to inform you that Lisa is not here. Her body... was stolen. Our staff thoroughly searched the entire hospital and reviewed the security camera footage, but there was no trace. Please come to the hospital as soon as possible.

Upon hearing the doctor's words, the ground beneath me shook. Grandma was equally shocked, and tears welled up in both of our eyes. What in the world were they saying? Her body had been stolen? It was beyond comprehension.