I walked out, desperate to apologize.
"Anissa, wait!" I called.
But before I could reach her, disaster struck.
She missed a step, her foot slipping.
Time slowed.
Anissa's scream echoed.
She tumbled down the stairs, twisting unnaturally.
I froze, paralyzed.
Then, I sprinted.
She lay at the bottom, blood gushing.
Her eyes locked onto mine, shock and fear mingling.
"Save...my baby," she whispered.
A pang of guilt hit.
A part of me wanted to leave, have Clyde to myself.... there will be no child to bond them .
But as her eyes fluttered, losing consciousness.
Something snapped, she was still my precious sister who raised me so lovely despite also being so young, alone and traumatized by the demise of our parents.
I rushed, dropping to my knees.
"Anissa, no! Stay!"
Slipping on blood, I felt searing pain.
Cuts opened on my forehead.
Ignoring pain, I screamed.
"Someone! Help!"
Clyde burst in.
"Anissa! Oh God!"
He pulled out his phone.
"Call an ambulance!"
But instead of rushing to Anissa.
He came to me.
"Dahlia, are you okay?"
His concern stunned me.
Anissa stretched her hands.
"Clyde...our baby..."
Tears streamed down.
Clyde lifted me.
"We need to get you to the hospital."
He carried me to the ambulance.
A paramedic rushed.
"Sir, we need to help the other victim."
Clyde nodded.
"Take care of her."
The paramedic rushed to Anissa.
As they worked, I felt a mix of emotions.
Guilt, confusion, and shock.
Clyde's hold tightened.
"Dahlia, I've got you."
The ambulance doors closed.
Sirens blared.
We sped away.
Leaving Anissa behind.
In the hospital, Clyde's grip remained.
"Dahlia, don't leave me."
Tears streamed.
"I'm sorry, Clyde."
His eyes narrowed.
"What happened?"
I hesitated.
Should I reveal the truth?
I trembled, fear overwhelming me.
"Anissa and I...we argued," I stammered, tears streaming.
Clyde's expression softened.
"Shh, Dahlia. Tell me."
Sniffling, I poured out the events.
"We fought...about us...about you...and then she fell."
Sobs racked my body.
Clyde's arms enveloped me.
"It's okay, Dahlia. I trust you. Nothing will happen."
His words brought a sliver of relief.
"But what if Anissa...what if she..."
Clyde's grip tightened.
"Don't think about that now. Just rest."
A nurse approached.
"Time for your sedation, dear."
The needle pricked.
Warmth spread.
My eyelids drooped.
Clyde's whisper echoed.
"I'll be here when you wake up."
Darkness claimed me.
Hours passed.
I drifted, unaware.
Until the beeping of machines.
And Clyde's gentle grasp.
"Dahlia, wake up."
Groggy, I opened my eyes.
Clyde's smile greeted me.
"How are you?"
"Where's Anissa?" I croaked.
Clyde's expression turned somber.
"She's...stable."
But his eyes told a different story.
"What is it, Clyde?" I pressed.
He took a deep breath.
"The baby didn't make it."
My heart shattered.
"No!" I wailed.
Tears streamed.
Clyde's arms wrapped around me.
"I'm so sorry, Dahlia."
Guilt consumed me.
This was my fault.
If only I hadn't argued.
If only I had helped sooner.
Anissa's screams echoed.
Her cries of despair.
My conscience crumbled.
Clyde left to get lunch, leaving me alone.
I decided to visit Anissa, knowing she must be hurting.
As I entered her room, her wails pierced the air.
I approached cautiously.
"Anissa, I'm so sorry," I whispered.
But she turned, eyes blazing.
"You!" she spat.
Her hands shoved me.
"Get out!"
I stumbled backward.
Anissa's cries intensified.
"You're the reason for everything!" she sobbed.
"You pushed me! Made me lose my baby!"
I shook, tears streaming.
"Anissa, no! I didn't touch you!" I pleaded.
But she wasn't listening.
"You're evil!" she screamed.
Her words cut deep.
I tried to explain.
"Anissa, please! I didn't mean—"
But she covered her ears.
"Leave me alone!"
Nurses rushed in.
"Ma'am, please calm down."
Anissa's face contorted.
"You took everything from me!"
Her pain and anger overwhelmed me.
I backed away.
Tears blinded me.