Born To Shine

Born To Shine (13)

Chapter 13

"She's dead."

The words spiralled around my mind before they made sense.

"WHAT?!" I shouted. Everyone gave me anxious looks, I ignored them.

My eyes watered but I refused to cry. Well not yet. She can't be... dead? I gulped the bile in my throat rose, making me want to vomit.

My heart raced at an unbearable rate. I felt as if a part of me died with her. My palms became overheated and were sweating. My body became numb and I felt as if I was disconnected from the world.

I heard muffled noises from around the room. I didn't notice that Marco was trying to talk to me.

"Lizzie calm down." He said urgency through the phone his voice was slightly hoarse.

"She's..." I trailed helplessly.

"Lizzie meet me at the central hospital." He begged. I was so lost I didn't understand what he was trying to say.

"How..." I trailed. I felt all the colour from my face go so I looked a ghost. I didn't care though.

Elise. My older sister. Gone.

I couldn't believe it until I saw it. I wanted desperately to run away but I had no control over my body.

"Lizzie, come to the hospital I'll tell you everything," He vowed. I nodded slightly even though he couldn't see me.

"Okay..." And with that, the line went dead. Trisha was approaching me with her hand to touch me. Her face worried.

I flinched, jumped off my seat and legged it out of there. I ran out of the house as fast as I could to my car. Luckily, I was carrying my keys, I couldn't afford to make a trip to get them.

I urgently jammed my keys into the ignition and quickly pulled out. From the corner of my eye, I saw Trisha and a few others trail out of the house.

I drove out of the place. I forced myself to think of nothing. I needed to be distracted. I passed the cemetery where my parents and brother lay. My sister was going to be with them.

I shook the thoughts from my mind. I wouldn't think.

I soon got into the outskirts of the town. I disobeyed the law and drove fast but carefully through the dark streets. Wanting to reach my destination as soon as I possibly could.

I was tempted to drive through a red light but ignored the longing to. I couldn't risk being caught. I finally reached the hospital and parked outside. I realised I hadn't put on a jacket when the cool breeze attacked me.

Remembering that I had always kept one in my car I slid it on and quickly took out a pair of shades to cover who I was. Being followed wasn't even the last thing I wanted. Once I was satisfied I ran into the hospital nearly colliding with the front doors. I opened them and stepped inside.

I didn't bother to take in my surroundings so I marched straight to the front desk. I was about to ask where I was supposed to go but a hand pulled me back. I tried to yank it away but they were stronger than me. I turned to see that it was Marco. I sighed in relief. I was glad to see him.

"Marco, what happened?" I asked as I studied his face. His eyes were rimmed red and were puffy. The colour from his face had completely gone.

"I'll take you to the room and explain there." He whispered. His voice was rough. I sighed my heart was hurting and my throat began to close. I nodded and silently followed him to the room. He also kept his grip on my arm. I took off my sunglasses and hood as we entered a white room, there were pieces of machinery, a few plush chairs and a bed. Kaitlyn was sitting next to the bed. Marco let go of his grip of me and I walked on the other side of the bed from Kaitlyn. I saw my sister's colourless face. Her eyes were sealed shut and she stayed completely still. Her red hair was a mess, but she still had beauty. Tears welled up as I brought a hand to brush a few strands of her away from her face. I noticed a few scars which had been recently stitched at the top. What has happened?

I couldn't find myself to voice my internal question. Tears streamed silently down my face as I stared at her corpse.

I cry escaped my mouth as I grabbed her hand to squeeze gently. Marco was immediately by my side as my knees were beginning to feel weak from the emotions within me.

I wanted to know what had happened? I looked at my brother with the question in my eyes. He nodded slightly and grabbed two chairs for us to sit on.

I sat down and waited for him to speak.

"Elise had come off the phone after talking to you, she was going to go to Sam's for an assignment. She told me and left saying she was coming back soon. At 10:45 I got a phone call saying that Elise was in hospital critical condition she had been involved in a car accident." He said pausing to see my reaction. My eyes became blurry by the tears overflowing in them.

"Kaitlyn and I got to the hospital as fast as we could. We arrived and wasn't sure what was going on. She had died before I got to see her. I was informed of what had happened. She was driving down a quiet road at a normal speed limit. Another car coming the other way was coming at a very fast speed. The driver was alone and drunk not knowing what he was doing. The car collided with Elise's head on. Elise's car swerved and bashed into a tree because of the impact.

"Causing her an instant death because it injured an important part of the brain. The other driver died too. The only reason we know this much was because a guy witnessed it and called the ambulance as soon as. There was a very little chance of her surviving because of the crash.

"After I was told I called you knowing you would what to know and I knew you weren't going to be asleep." He finished. Tears were already cascading down my face but as soon as he finished talking I broke out into a full sob. Marco took me into a hug as I sobbed endlessly.

It wasn't fair. Three years ago my parents and little brother died. Now Elise is dead too.

Why? Why did she have to die? Why in a car crash like my parents and brother? Why did the person have to be drunk and drink driving?

A never-ending stream of questions spiralled my mind. I heard my phone ring several times but I ignored it. I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone all I wanted was my sister.

I soon gave up crying and fell asleep hoping when I woke up this was all a bad dream.

*

When I awoke I was sitting awkwardly in the plush chair. I'm surprised I actually fell asleep.

I looked around the room to see I was alone apart from being with my deceased sister. I grabbed her hand and tears were starting to well.

I refused to cry though. Tears didn't fix anything. I know that already.

Her fingertips were cold and pale and so was the rest of her body. I can't believe that she’s gone. She left me. I wouldn't have my older sister to drag me shopping anymore, she could no longer make me spend my money uselessly on things I would never need.

I wouldn't be able to see her smile anymore or even open her eyes. I glanced at the time on the white wall clock and saw that it was 3 am. I was still slightly tired but not enough to care.

I heard the door creak open and I saw in my peripheral vision that it was Kaitlyn. She walked over to me and put her arm over my shoulder to comfort me.

"I'm sorry Lizzie." She whispered. Her soft voice had sounded like the silence.

I didn't reply. I didn't even know what to say. And even if I did I wouldn't be able to speak, I felt unable to like I had lost my voice.

A few minutes later of the silence another person walked in it was Marco.

"Ah, Lizzie you have woken up. Sorry, I left you I was called by some other doctors regarding when the body is being discharged." He explained and walked over to us. He put his arms around us.

I didn't know what I would do if Marco left me too.

"Marco promise me something," I whispered and looked into his eyes as he looked into his eyes.

"What is it?" He questioned.

"Promise me you wouldn't leave me," I said hopelessly. He hesitated for a second.

"I promise Lizzie I'll stay with you. I'll always be there for you."

"Did she have to leave Marco?" I asked.

"It was her time. It was destiny the way it was meant to be. Everything happens for a reason..." He trailed.

That made sense and I've been told not sometimes bad things could happen for the better.

What good could come out of my sister's death?

*

It was reaching 10 am and I hadn't left my sister's side since I had come neither had I slept since 3 am. I couldn't find myself too. In the previous hours though I learnt that she was going to be discharged later. Marco and Kaitlyn had gone now to tell friends what had happened.

Marco soon came into the room and walked up to me.

"Lizzie you need to tell Mark, Tony and Johnny they have a right to know." He said. My gaze switched to him from my sister.

"Can't you do it?" I asked helplessly. He shook his head.

"They are your friends they deserve to hear it from you. They must be worried about you too. You haven't picked up any calls." He noted. I sighed. He was right I must tell them. But how? Maybe I could just call them here.

"Okay..." I trailed. He nodded and then left the room. I took my phone out of my pocket and called Mark who was on speed dial.

I waited as it buzzed and by the sixth buzz, there was an answer.

"Lizzie? Is that you? Are you okay? What happened? Why did you scream 'What?!' go all silent and then run out of the room?" He said in one breath. I could hear the sincere concern in his voice.

"Yeah, it's me. I'm okay I guess... Um... Could you guys - that's you, Johnny and Tony come to the central hospital?" I asked.

"Why? What happened?" He asked.

"It's not something I want to say other the phone... Sorry, but could you come? I need you guys." I said. Mark, Tony and Johnny were the only real friends I got after my parent's and younger brother's death apart from Trisha. I've known them for nearly 3 years so I need them to light my spirits or to get my mind off things.

I could count on them for that.

"Okay... but you better tell us okay? We'll go now we'll be there soon. What room?" He asked.

"I'll meet you guys at the reception," I said.

"Okay, Lizzie. I'll catch you in a bit. Promise." He said. I think he felt the need to say 'promise' I'm glad he did though.

"Okay, Mark. Thanks."

"No problem. Bye."

"Bye," I said and then the line went dead. I sighed.

Telling them is going to be hard. Before slipping my phone into my pocket, I looked at my phone's screen it as a picture of me and Elise.

We looked quite alike. Same hair, eyes and features. She was just older and looked happier than I ever did.

I then put my phone after a few minutes deciding that it was too much for me to take. My eyes were watering again but I again refused to.

All those moments I had with Elise will be lost in time, like tears in the rain.

But I would always have them in my heart.

I checked the time and saw that it had been 20 minutes. I wouldn't have noticed because I was stuck in my own thoughts. I let go of Elise's hand and slowly walked out of the room picking up my jacket and sunglasses on the way. I walked to the reception reluctantly no wanting to leave my sister alone.

I reached the reception and saw that they had not arrived yet. I waited on the side, sitting on a plush chair similar to the ones in Elise's room.

After about 5 minutes of waiting, they arrived. With Trisha.

It wasn't like I didn't want her there it was just...

There wasn't really a reason and I guess she has a right to know too. She and Elise had got along.

They had worn jackets and sunglasses hiding who they were which I really appreciated. I stood up and walked over to them.

"Hey, guys," I said to them. My voice couldn't be louder than a whisper. They then bombarded me with questions.

"Oh my gosh, Lizzie! Last night I was so worried about you! Why didn't you return any of my calls?" Trisha said concerned.

"Why are we in a hospital and why do you look as if you have been crying? What happened?" Tony asked.

"Lizzie I don't know why you ran and out the room and why you want us here what happened?" Johnny said.

"Now could you tell us yo look as if you are going to break and on the phone, I thought you were going to cry. What happened? How are Marco and Elise?" Mark said. They all said this at the same time.

"Guys, guys. One at a time! We are drawing attention!" I said. I was getting slightly annoyed looks from everyone around the hospital because they were making too much of a racket.

They all muttered 'sorry'.

"Sorry Liz it's just that we are really worried about you, you know?" Tony said. I nodded.

"Okay as for your questions. I would like to take you to the room first. So we don't draw attention." I said. I agreed and then we headed to the room. The corridors were fairly empty it was only nurses walking from room to room. Outside Elise's room, I stopped. The door was closed and it seemed like a good time to break the ice.

"Guys you know Elise right?" I said helplessly. They nodded. I took my shades off so they could see my eyes. I knew my eyes were red and puffy but I didn't care.

Mark, Johnny and Tony looked at me shocked and so did Trisha. My band hadn't seen me cry before.

"Yeah what happened?" Johnny asked.

"She's... dead," I whispered also silently I wasn't sure if they had heard it.

They looked at me with all the same look on there faces. It was shock, despair and sadness.

"How...?" Mark choked. I didn't respond and opened the door to the room. Kaitlyn was inside. She saw us and nodded in greeting and then left the room. I walked over to the bed and they just all walked in shocked.

"In a car crash. Last night she was coming home from a friend’s. She was driving home and then another car came fast. The man was drunk and crashed into her. Her car swerved and she hit the tree. She hurt an important part of the brain causing instant death." I whispered loud enough for them to hear. I looked up at them.

They looked at me with sympathy and sadness. Trisha was crying.

"Oh, Lizzie..." Trisha said.

"The worst thing is that I talked to her a few hours before," I said. Tears clouded my vision they walked up to me.

"Lizzie I am so sorry..." Mark said.

"I swear I am going to kill that son of a b!tch for what he did," Tony said angrily.

"He's dead too." I choked out. His anger ceased as I said the words.

Elise was like an older sister to Mark, Johnny and Tony.

"Where are your parents Lizzie?" Mark asked. Tears then spilt out of my eyes and a choked sound came from behind my throat.

How much could a person take?

Trisha brought me into a hug.

"Yeah, where are they? You always say that they are out of the country they should be here or on there way." Tony said.

I then decided I needed to tell them. They deserved the truth.

"They are dead too," I whispered.