CHAPTER 1; FLASHBACK: HOW IT ALL STARTED
1095 Words
CHAPTER 1
Flashback: How It All Started
“We have the best graduating student in literature as Kaycee Jaycen!” The MC announced, and the multitude all clapped, cheering the student as he ran to the stage to obtain his award while his parents followed suit to snap with their child.
It was the graduation ceremony of Best Brilliant High School in New York City, and Elena was a part of the graduating students.
The trend for the disbursement of awards continued, and each parent would come out to the stage to celebrate and show how proud they are about their children.
Elena was one of the most brilliant and well-behaved students; she was given seven out of the twelve awards that were to be given to deserving graduates.
Everything about her was always different, which was very evident on her graduation day.
Parents of award-winning students came out to celebrate with their children, but whenever her name was mentioned, Elena would be seen running alone to the stage to get hers.
“Who are the parents of this girl?”
“Is she an orphan? If not, why are they not here to support her on such a big occasion?”
“But even if she's an orphan, her guardian is supposed to come and celebrate with her,” murmurs were emanating from different angles in the background.
Elena was quite disturbed, but this day was supposed to be a joyful and memorable day for her, so she won't let anything or anyone ruin her mood, not even the absence of her parents! She cheered herself up and maintained a smiling face whenever her name was mentioned.
“Finally, to crown everything up, I am pleased to announce the overall best graduating student of Brilliant High for this year,” the MC announced with a pause.
Anxiety could be seen on the faces of those present; everyone was waiting to see that outstanding child.
“Elena—Ramson!” The MC concluded, and the atmosphere was filled with the noise of people's clapping.
Elena ran joyfully to the stage, but before she reached the spot, she found herself entangled in a woman's arms. That hug felt warmth and hearty.
“I'm sorry, baby, I couldn't make it on time, but thank God I'm here now,” the woman's voice whispered into her ears.
That was her mother; she had just arrived in the hall when Elena's name was mentioned, and with her handbag still hanging on her arms, she ran forward to embrace her daughter.
“I know that you'll never abandon me, mummy,” Elena responded with a whisper as well.
But she felt something strange within her; her mother's hands gradually lost its grip on Elena, and within the twinkle of an eye, Mrs. Ramson collapsed and lay down almost lifeless at the stage.
“Mum!!! Mother, please don't do this!” Elena screamed and fell on her mother's body with tears streaming down her face, and her eyes instantly turned red and blurry.
The people around instantly lifted her up and rushed her to the nearest hospital.
Mrs. Ramson stayed under oxygen for three days in the hospital before she got herself back and was discharged.
“Dad, most of my mother's medications are finished, and she had a hard time sleeping yesterday. Can you please get new ones at the pharmacy tomorrow when coming back from work?” Elena demanded softly when her father got home in the morning.
Lately, her father hardly sleeps at home; even if he does, he comes back late at night. Elena was left all alone to take care of her mother during the day and at night.
“I don't have money,” her father said coldly.
That response shattered Elena's heart, but it didn't stop her from talking further: “Dad, this is my mother's life we are talking about! Besides, the drugs won't cost more than a thousand or two dollars, and that amount is nothing compared to what you have in your account, daddy.”
Paw!! A heavy slap from Mr. Ramson landed on Elena's face, making the design of his five fingers clearly visible.
“How dare you tell me when and how to spend my money? As you said, she's your mother, so find a way out if you still want to see her alive!”
“Ramson! That's too harsh! Take it easy on the girl,” a voice came from behind. It was Elena's mother.
She was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the family when she started hearing the father-daughter conversation.
When she noticed that her husband's voice was getting cold, she quickly stepped out, but before she intervened, Elena was already in tears from the slap she had received.
“If you don't want me to be harsh, then you better warn this useless daughter of.”
“Please, don't call her useless,” Elena's mother interrupted before he finished his statement.
“And who are you to talk while I'm talking?”
He turned to his wife's side and raised his hands against her.
But Mrs. Ramson wouldn't tolerate that; she quickly raised her hand and stopped the slap from reaching her face, but then the force with which it was coming was too high, causing her to fall to tremble.
“Good for you, nonsense!” He declared and dashed out of the house.
“Dad! What have you done to my mother?" Elena screamed and knelt helplessly beside her mother.
“Mum, please wake up!” She cried out.
“Elena, take care of yourself and your dad; I'll always be with you, though not physically.” Her mother struggled to whisper those words to her while gasping for breath before she finally gave up the ghost.
“Oh, she has finally decided to die; I wish her safe journey to the heavens,” Mr. Ramson commented as he returned home that evening and found his wife lying lifeless on the floor.
“I never knew I had a beast in the form of a father!” Elena cursed inwardly as she stood and watched her heartless father mutter such words devoid of any emotions.
“You can have the house to yourself and your dead mother tonight, because I'm definitely not sleeping here.”
“And get yourself prepared; she'll be buried by tomorrow. I don't have much money to waste in
a morgue,” her father declared and dashed out, leaving the fifteen year old girl to the dead woman.
- Writer
