Ellesin walked with a slight skip ahead of her father and brother down the sidewalk, lightly humming a merry tune. Her intertwined fingers bounced against her lowr back in unison with each of her skips. She would stop on occasion and glance back, waiting for the two men to get close enough before continuing on.
David walked in step with his father, side-by-side. Though he stood a good foot taller this his father, he didn't dare act haughtily. If he so desired, his father could kick his ass in a matter of minutes.
He was a balding man with a sour expression. He only stood five-foot-four-inches, but his arms andegs were well defined. He had a pot belly, not from over-eating, but excessive alcohol consumption over the years. In his prime, Arthur had been a good-looking man, with a good head of hair, a well-built physique thanks to his constant training in Kendo, and a passion to stay fit. Unfortunately, that had all changed when his wife passed away.
It had been a rare blood disorder. They didn't catch it in time, and she left him and their two children mother-less. Although he loved them, he was constantly reminded of her since they both held physical traits of hers, so he began to drink so as not to see those traits, as well as numb the pain of losing her.
As time passed and his children grew up, the pain of loss subsided, but his drinking only got worse. It never got to a point where his children felt threatened or unsafe, they just felt... disappointed.
This night, he promised there would be no alcohol. He loved them too much to ruin their shared relationship, so when he promised them something, he would make sure to deliver. Or at least, come as close to delivering it as possible.
"Ellesin," Arthur called to his daughter.
"Yes, daddy?" she said in a soft, sweet, and innocent tone.
"I had a very interesting phone call today."
"Oh yeah? From who?"
"Your homeroom teacher."
Ellesin stopped and noticeably stiffened up, her shoulders becoming tense. She didn't move. Both her brother and father stopped in their tracks, as well.
David looked quizzically between the two of them.
"Explain to me why you said those things, especially after you had been warned - BY THE DEAN OF DISCIPLINE , might I add - or else you would face repercussions!"
'What are they talking about? What she said?' These were David's thoughts as he looked between his sister and father. As much as he wanted to ask, he knew the look on his father's face meant that this conversation was one that should not be interrupted lest he also wish to incur punishment.
Ellesin loosened her shoulders a bit and let out a nervous laugh, still refusing to look at her father. "what I said? I don't know what you're-"
"We'll discuss this at home," her fsther interjected, not letting her finish her sentence. Without another word, he continued forward.
Though angered, he also loved his children and would not let them have a bad dinner. He promised them a good evening, so as their father, he would ensure that they got it.
Unfortunately, nothing ever goes as intended. As Murphy's Law states, "whatever can go wrong, will go wrong."
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Though there had been a bit of a mishap earlier in the night between her and her father, David could see that they both made an effort to make sure it didn't ruin their family dinner. It didn't. In fact, it was as if they hadn't had that conversation as they laughed and joked together. David smiled seeing the improved mood, though it was a sad smile. He knew this atmosphere wouldn't last. In just a couple hours there would be yelling, as well as crying and screaming.
Sighing and pushing that to the back of his mind, David joined in the conversation.
As the three conversed and laughed, there was an uneasiness that hung in the air. David felt it, so did his father. They gave each knowing glances, but neither was certain why they felt this uneasiness.
As the night wore on, the feeling on grew stronger. Both men felt nervous, and a knot had formed in their stomach. Instinctively, they stood on Ellesin's left and right respectively. Though she found it odd, Ellesin thought nothing more of it other than her father and brother being over protective.
In a way, she was right. But that protectiveness would ultimately fail tonight.
As they walked down the street, it had become eerily silent. No night birds or insects could be heard. No one was around them. It was eery. They turned a corner and it was like someone had turned the volume back up. Crickets could be heard. An owl in the distance hooted. A couple cars drove by, illuminating more of the dsrk street. Some of the tension dissipated thanks to this change.
The three just stood near the corner their for a bit, looking around. David and his father calmed down a bit, the change evident on their faces.
Fate,however,had a cruel sense of humor. It always liked to strike when guards were down and there was a sense of calm. This was a prime example.
It only took a moment. A few seconds, really. Within those excruciatingly long seconds, fate smiled and reared its long, deadly fangs. And those fangs? They were aimed at Ellesin.
A cement truck came rolling down the street. Though it wasn't going fast, it wasn't moving slowly, either. The mixer churned slowly, making a low rumbling sound that barely drowned out the roar of the truck's engine.
The driver of the truck caught site of the three walking toward him, and it made him smile. That smile was because he began to think of his family. Sadly, that was enough to set in motion the next series of events.
The driver, lost in memory, failed to notice the slight downgrade of the road. Because he didn't notice the downgrade, he didn't adjust his speed, which in turn affected his control. Because it had drizzled earlier that evening, the roads were slippery, and conditions weren't great. Dots began to connect, and next thing he knew, the driver found himself losing control of his truck as it began to slide on the wet pavement. In a panic, he slammed on the brakes, which caused the rear tires to lock. He began to hydroplane - that is, he began sliding on the water!
Though try as he might, he couldn't completely correct his position and regain traction.
Ellesin, David, and Arthur all saw this, and reacted. Arthur was the first with the quickest reaction. In a moment, he darted to his right, out of the trucks path, yelling behind him to his two children to follow suit.
David was next, but his reaction had bit a fraction of a second slower. He darted to the left, into the street, going so far as to stop in the middle of the road. He, too, yelled.
Ellesin didn't react right away. Whether it was because of shock or disbelief, she stayed rooted in her position. It was only after a couple shouts from her brother and father did she blink and move. But it was too late, there was nowhere to move to without being hit. She took two steps back, fear splashed across her face.
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[Several Days Later]
Arthur sat on a bench outside an operating room. His face was dark. David paced next to him, worry and concern in his eyes. They had been here for some time, waiting. The wait was the worst! They couldn't see her, neither the doctors nor the nurses would tell them how she was or what was even going on!
[Three Hours Later]
AFTER an excruciating three hour wait, a doctor finally emerged from the operating room.
Neither David nor Arthur saw him at first. When he cleared his throat and called out to Arthur, did the two of them look up.
"As you know, due to the impact, she sustained some heavy injuries. A fractured skull, cracked ribs, broken arm and leg, as well as both of her ankles being sprained. She was also dealt a concussion. There was internal bleeding, some muscle tearing, as well as bruised lung. All these will heal, fortunately. However..." the doctor quieted a moment, not to be suspenseful, but because the next words he had to say weren't words of optimism.
"However, the laceration to her throat was too deep and too wide. Though we could stop the bleeding and sew it up, it was too badly severed. I'm sorry, but... She'll never be able to speak again..."