Status: Work in Progress.
When Tragedy Strikes
Prologue ooo
The sun shone brightly down upon them, a smile lit up the gentle curves of her face as his hand encased her smaller one in a vice like grip, she felt whole, like nothing and no one could ruin their time together. His hand was warm, his skin slightly calloused from the amount of guitar he played, and as they lay together on the sandy beach, watching the sunset, she never felt more alive. Her head was resting gently on his chest, her ear pressed against the material of his shirt and sound of his heart was soothing and gentle to her tormented soul. His free hand was running calmly through her tangled locks of brown hair, his blue eyes looking at her in a loving fashion while her face was angled towards the water.
Unfortunately, like every good thing in life, it had to end. “Fiona!” Her father's voice was loud, rough, brutal. Her eyes snapped open, his just stared at her worried, her father hates the most important person in her life and if he saw them together she would be in for it. With a chaste kiss, Fiona jumped from her position and bolted to the stairs while Carter merely pulled his hoodie on and sat up, running his fingers through the grains of sand.
Standing at the top of the stairs, Fiona's father just glanced her up and down in disapproval before growling under his breath and motioning for her to follow, she did so without protest. The rocks at the top of the stairs were sharp and jagged, but there was nothing Fiona wouldn't go through for Carter, for her love was pure and strong. Fiona's step-mother was standing by the car with the youngest family member held tightly in her arms and a worried face set on her sharp features as she watched her husband and step-daughter approach. “I told you honey, she won't be seeing that boy, she wouldn't dare defy you now would she?” Melissa smiled reassuringly whilst Benjamin just chortled innocently from her arms, his small chubby legs kicking against her hips.
James rolled his eyes before pulling open the drivers door and sliding in behind the wheel, Fiona slid in behind him, sitting quietly and clipping her belt up while Melissa moved quickly to place Ben in his seat and clasp him in before closing the door and slipping into the passenger seat. Before she clipped up, Carter had started the car and was backing out of the parking lot.
As soon as the car was on the road, the arguing started, Ben was happy in his own little world, chewing on his teething toys and gurgling in his baby language. Fiona pulled out her old style mp3 and placed the buds in her ears before pressing play. The oddly soothing, yet rough guitar notes of 'Avenged Sevenfold' quickly took her away from the arguing and into her own, innocent world. A world where she could be with Carter and her father would approve, and although she knew it wasn't possible, she was happy that she could have this one moment of bliss before her world once more became drab and lifeless.
It didn't take long for the car to pull into the gravel driveway of their family bach and before long, Fiona was swarmed by her cousins. Pulling out her earbuds and stepping out of the car, Fiona feigned a smile before grabbing her travel bag and making her way into the bach, it was the same as it was every year, eggshell white walls and white carpet with black leather couches and two black leather recliners, there was no television only a radio which was quietly playing disney channel songs, for the younger kids.
Fiona feigned ignorance to the rest of her family welcoming her and pushed open the door to her bedroom. A small room with a bed and a chest of drawers, a mirror hanging on the wall and a single light. The room itself is a grass green colour with black carpet and an off white roof. The bed is made of wood and painted black with dark metal legs and a tye dyed style blanket and pillow cases. The drawers are painted a bright green with dark metal handles and a lace cover over the top, on which was placed several shells, a jewellery box and several other items. On either side of the mall, double bed is side tables, both holding a single lamp and one with a pile of books she read last time she was there and neglected to back before the trip back. On the other bedside table was her old, small radio system which she plugged her AUX cord into and connected it to her mp3 which she turned off and left. Lastly, in the corner of the small room was an old rocking chair, one her mother used to rock her to sleep on while reading her a bedtime story with a gentle smile.
Pulling her phone from the confines of her jean shorts she tossed it on the bed before dropping her bag and sighing. Closing the door with her hip, Fiona proceeded to unzip her bag and pull out her clothes which were still neatly folded before placing them in the chest of drawers. Next was her toothbrush which she placed in the on-suite that was with her room, a room with black and white tiles, a single shower, toilet and sink with a couple of towels, facewash, her hairbrush and toothpaste.
Leaving her laptop packed away, Fiona glanced around her room once more before sighing and leaving the room, making sure to close the door behind her. Glancing around the room full of people, Fiona sighed, her head was spinning slightly and it was making her feel nautious, as much as she loved being at the bach, she was already missing Carter and it was starting to hurt.
Benjamin was cooing happily from his play pen, where he was lying on his back moving his arms slowly but happily. Melissa was sitting next to James, a fake smile plastered on her face while James was distracted talking to his younger brother, a genuine grin on his face. Fiona sighed, her family was so fake, James was an abusive prick and Melissa got most of the abuse, while Ben was too young to understand, and for some reason that pissed her off.
Speaking gently Fiona finally looked at everyone else in the room, her three aunts and four uncles who all looked back at her expectantly while the cousins were out playing on the front lawn. “I'm heading down to the dairy, does anyone want anything?” She asked, her voice trailing at the end especially with the look her father sent her way, she knew she was in for it tonight.
Her aunts and uncles waved her off with a smile, so she crept back into her room quickly to leave a note, and to place the letter she wrote Carter on her pillow. Grabbing her wallet from her handbag, she stuffed it in her pocket before escaping the bach and heading down the property to the footpath, waving at her cousins on the way. Leaving the property, Fiona felt a whole weight lift off her shoulders as she headed down the road. Her eyes flickered around at the different bachs and people, laughing and having a good time and as she did she couldn't help but wish she was one of them.
As she walked, Fiona's mind began to trail off, her thoughts occupying her time as she walked and a smile lit up her face. Her head was filled with thoughts of Carter, his face, his smile, his eyes, everything was about him and how she felt towards him, so it was only natural that she didn't notice the car that was heading in her direction, she didn't hear to tooting of the horn or the screams from the bachs as they watched.
Unaware that she had wandered into the middle of the road, Fiona didn't know tha a car was barreling towards her, and so when it finally made impact with the small, five foot girl she went flying, her body landing about ninety yards away, her neck twisted at an odd angle while her eyes were wide and full of fright. Her body twitched a few times before falling limp, blood trickling out of a gash in her forehead while her body just lay stranded in the middle of the road, a crowd of people coming to stand around her, the driver kneeling beside her mangled head.
People were crying while the elder cousins were screaming loudly, having watched her get hit from the gate at the edge of the property, Melissa was running towards the crowd while James followed calmly behind, unblinking as he looked at his daughter, the only reminder of his dead wife, lying twisted in the middle of the road.
Melissa dropped to her knees, scraping them on the rough road before placing her step-daughters head in her lap and cradling the small girl in her arms. As the first tear finally fell, Melissa let out the ear-shattering scream that was lodged in her throat, the scream that had been attempting to escape since she first figured out it was Fiona who was hit. The ambulance turned up moments later, the sirens screaming loudly over the chatter of people, some excited, one or two having filmed the encounter were exchanging videos, some people were crying, some in shock and some were just mellow, almost as if it was a daily occurance for a young girl to be involved in a car crash.
James lightly grabbed his wife by the forearms and pulled her to her feet after the medical personal had placed his daughter on a stretcher. Melissa immediately turned and grabbed tightly to her husband's shirt, burying her face in his chest and allowing the tears to fall unhindered. Fiona had been raised by Melissa since the tender age of two, when her father met Melissa two years after her mothers death, at Fiona's birth, and she had treated Fiona like her own.
James went through the motions of watching the ambulance take away his one and only daughter before leading his wife back to the bach. He led her to a seat in the living room before grabbing his keys off his hook and making his way to the car. Allowing his older brother to climb in the passenger seat and clip up, the two of them took off after the ambulance, driving carelessly along the way, pulling in only moments after the ambulance did and following the stretcher inside the hospital. James and Arthur had to wait in the hospital waiting room for ten minutes before the doctor came out with a solemn look on his old, haggard face. His eyes and face spoke the truth as James and Arthur stood to meet him. “I am incredibly sorry for your loss, but her neck broke on impact, there was nothing we could do, she was dead before she arrived at the hospital, the doctor bowed his head and watched with sad eyes as, for the first time in fifteen years, James broke down in the arms of his older brother.
Back at the bach, Madeline had just come out of Fiona's room, her eyes wide and her face white, tears brimming her baby blues while a single tear had already escaped and made a track down her frail face. “M-Melissa?” Her voice shook, as did her hand while she held out a letter.
Melissa accepted it and turned the envelope to see 'Carter' written in black ink, a loud, heartbroken wail escaped her lips as she placed the letter beside her. Madeline tapped Melissa on the shoulder and held out another piece of paper, this one folded in half. Melissa took it wordlessly and opened it, her eyes widening and her already shaky hands dropping the paper, watching horrified as it slowly floated to the carpet.
Caroline picked up the paper and turned it over, a small gasp managing to escape her strong facade as she whispered the two words to the silent room... “I'm sorry.”
Unfortunately, like every good thing in life, it had to end. “Fiona!” Her father's voice was loud, rough, brutal. Her eyes snapped open, his just stared at her worried, her father hates the most important person in her life and if he saw them together she would be in for it. With a chaste kiss, Fiona jumped from her position and bolted to the stairs while Carter merely pulled his hoodie on and sat up, running his fingers through the grains of sand.
Standing at the top of the stairs, Fiona's father just glanced her up and down in disapproval before growling under his breath and motioning for her to follow, she did so without protest. The rocks at the top of the stairs were sharp and jagged, but there was nothing Fiona wouldn't go through for Carter, for her love was pure and strong. Fiona's step-mother was standing by the car with the youngest family member held tightly in her arms and a worried face set on her sharp features as she watched her husband and step-daughter approach. “I told you honey, she won't be seeing that boy, she wouldn't dare defy you now would she?” Melissa smiled reassuringly whilst Benjamin just chortled innocently from her arms, his small chubby legs kicking against her hips.
James rolled his eyes before pulling open the drivers door and sliding in behind the wheel, Fiona slid in behind him, sitting quietly and clipping her belt up while Melissa moved quickly to place Ben in his seat and clasp him in before closing the door and slipping into the passenger seat. Before she clipped up, Carter had started the car and was backing out of the parking lot.
As soon as the car was on the road, the arguing started, Ben was happy in his own little world, chewing on his teething toys and gurgling in his baby language. Fiona pulled out her old style mp3 and placed the buds in her ears before pressing play. The oddly soothing, yet rough guitar notes of 'Avenged Sevenfold' quickly took her away from the arguing and into her own, innocent world. A world where she could be with Carter and her father would approve, and although she knew it wasn't possible, she was happy that she could have this one moment of bliss before her world once more became drab and lifeless.
It didn't take long for the car to pull into the gravel driveway of their family bach and before long, Fiona was swarmed by her cousins. Pulling out her earbuds and stepping out of the car, Fiona feigned a smile before grabbing her travel bag and making her way into the bach, it was the same as it was every year, eggshell white walls and white carpet with black leather couches and two black leather recliners, there was no television only a radio which was quietly playing disney channel songs, for the younger kids.
Fiona feigned ignorance to the rest of her family welcoming her and pushed open the door to her bedroom. A small room with a bed and a chest of drawers, a mirror hanging on the wall and a single light. The room itself is a grass green colour with black carpet and an off white roof. The bed is made of wood and painted black with dark metal legs and a tye dyed style blanket and pillow cases. The drawers are painted a bright green with dark metal handles and a lace cover over the top, on which was placed several shells, a jewellery box and several other items. On either side of the mall, double bed is side tables, both holding a single lamp and one with a pile of books she read last time she was there and neglected to back before the trip back. On the other bedside table was her old, small radio system which she plugged her AUX cord into and connected it to her mp3 which she turned off and left. Lastly, in the corner of the small room was an old rocking chair, one her mother used to rock her to sleep on while reading her a bedtime story with a gentle smile.
Pulling her phone from the confines of her jean shorts she tossed it on the bed before dropping her bag and sighing. Closing the door with her hip, Fiona proceeded to unzip her bag and pull out her clothes which were still neatly folded before placing them in the chest of drawers. Next was her toothbrush which she placed in the on-suite that was with her room, a room with black and white tiles, a single shower, toilet and sink with a couple of towels, facewash, her hairbrush and toothpaste.
Leaving her laptop packed away, Fiona glanced around her room once more before sighing and leaving the room, making sure to close the door behind her. Glancing around the room full of people, Fiona sighed, her head was spinning slightly and it was making her feel nautious, as much as she loved being at the bach, she was already missing Carter and it was starting to hurt.
Benjamin was cooing happily from his play pen, where he was lying on his back moving his arms slowly but happily. Melissa was sitting next to James, a fake smile plastered on her face while James was distracted talking to his younger brother, a genuine grin on his face. Fiona sighed, her family was so fake, James was an abusive prick and Melissa got most of the abuse, while Ben was too young to understand, and for some reason that pissed her off.
Speaking gently Fiona finally looked at everyone else in the room, her three aunts and four uncles who all looked back at her expectantly while the cousins were out playing on the front lawn. “I'm heading down to the dairy, does anyone want anything?” She asked, her voice trailing at the end especially with the look her father sent her way, she knew she was in for it tonight.
Her aunts and uncles waved her off with a smile, so she crept back into her room quickly to leave a note, and to place the letter she wrote Carter on her pillow. Grabbing her wallet from her handbag, she stuffed it in her pocket before escaping the bach and heading down the property to the footpath, waving at her cousins on the way. Leaving the property, Fiona felt a whole weight lift off her shoulders as she headed down the road. Her eyes flickered around at the different bachs and people, laughing and having a good time and as she did she couldn't help but wish she was one of them.
As she walked, Fiona's mind began to trail off, her thoughts occupying her time as she walked and a smile lit up her face. Her head was filled with thoughts of Carter, his face, his smile, his eyes, everything was about him and how she felt towards him, so it was only natural that she didn't notice the car that was heading in her direction, she didn't hear to tooting of the horn or the screams from the bachs as they watched.
Unaware that she had wandered into the middle of the road, Fiona didn't know tha a car was barreling towards her, and so when it finally made impact with the small, five foot girl she went flying, her body landing about ninety yards away, her neck twisted at an odd angle while her eyes were wide and full of fright. Her body twitched a few times before falling limp, blood trickling out of a gash in her forehead while her body just lay stranded in the middle of the road, a crowd of people coming to stand around her, the driver kneeling beside her mangled head.
People were crying while the elder cousins were screaming loudly, having watched her get hit from the gate at the edge of the property, Melissa was running towards the crowd while James followed calmly behind, unblinking as he looked at his daughter, the only reminder of his dead wife, lying twisted in the middle of the road.
Melissa dropped to her knees, scraping them on the rough road before placing her step-daughters head in her lap and cradling the small girl in her arms. As the first tear finally fell, Melissa let out the ear-shattering scream that was lodged in her throat, the scream that had been attempting to escape since she first figured out it was Fiona who was hit. The ambulance turned up moments later, the sirens screaming loudly over the chatter of people, some excited, one or two having filmed the encounter were exchanging videos, some people were crying, some in shock and some were just mellow, almost as if it was a daily occurance for a young girl to be involved in a car crash.
James lightly grabbed his wife by the forearms and pulled her to her feet after the medical personal had placed his daughter on a stretcher. Melissa immediately turned and grabbed tightly to her husband's shirt, burying her face in his chest and allowing the tears to fall unhindered. Fiona had been raised by Melissa since the tender age of two, when her father met Melissa two years after her mothers death, at Fiona's birth, and she had treated Fiona like her own.
James went through the motions of watching the ambulance take away his one and only daughter before leading his wife back to the bach. He led her to a seat in the living room before grabbing his keys off his hook and making his way to the car. Allowing his older brother to climb in the passenger seat and clip up, the two of them took off after the ambulance, driving carelessly along the way, pulling in only moments after the ambulance did and following the stretcher inside the hospital. James and Arthur had to wait in the hospital waiting room for ten minutes before the doctor came out with a solemn look on his old, haggard face. His eyes and face spoke the truth as James and Arthur stood to meet him. “I am incredibly sorry for your loss, but her neck broke on impact, there was nothing we could do, she was dead before she arrived at the hospital, the doctor bowed his head and watched with sad eyes as, for the first time in fifteen years, James broke down in the arms of his older brother.
Back at the bach, Madeline had just come out of Fiona's room, her eyes wide and her face white, tears brimming her baby blues while a single tear had already escaped and made a track down her frail face. “M-Melissa?” Her voice shook, as did her hand while she held out a letter.
Melissa accepted it and turned the envelope to see 'Carter' written in black ink, a loud, heartbroken wail escaped her lips as she placed the letter beside her. Madeline tapped Melissa on the shoulder and held out another piece of paper, this one folded in half. Melissa took it wordlessly and opened it, her eyes widening and her already shaky hands dropping the paper, watching horrified as it slowly floated to the carpet.
Caroline picked up the paper and turned it over, a small gasp managing to escape her strong facade as she whispered the two words to the silent room... “I'm sorry.”
♠ ♠ ♠
<3