Help me Give this Untitled Story a Title

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Blinding white snow was coated with a thin layer of dust. Scarlet blood stained the white snow, and smoke hovered in the air, clotting up Chrissie’s lungs. She choked and rested a weak and dirty hand on the burned tree limbs.

The last bits of flames died out, and the smoke was carried away by the freezing December wind. Peeking past the tree, she made out the forms of her six sisters huddled together, leaning against the remains of their burned down house.

Chrissie whimpered, and Kylie tilted her head up to look at her. Kylie’s disheveled black hair framed her weary face, as salty tears streamed down. She glared at her, and turned her head away in disgust.

Chrissie sighed sadly, and fell onto her knees, the powdery snow wetted through her pants and burned her bruised knees. Everyone had survived the fire, except for her parents and baby Shirley. She would never forgive herself for starting the fire.

Looking down at the blank snow, she swirled out a picture of a firework. The case of a firework, just before it sets off. So innocent, but cunning. The beginning of it’s life given by the lighter.

“Come out of there,” Kylie rasped, the only one who had seen her. Kylie was only a grade higher than her, grade eight, her other sisters, except for Cherlin, were all younger. Cherlin always acted like a mother to the younger sisters, since she was almost in University.

Chrissie turned her head away, and ran a hand through her long, jet black hair that had come loose from her ponytail. She pulled on her large red hood, and chewed on the drawstrings, deciding to come out or not. Finally, with a sigh, she pushed herself onto her feet, and walked out of the unprotective shadow of the limp maple tree.

Chrissie ducked her head, and took a few steps forward, coughing from the smoky air. Her sisters all looked at her, except for May and April, the youngest girls, who were twins. One born on the last few minutes of April, the other the first few minutes of May. They were only in grade 1, and barely understood anything.

All of them weeped, but none of them were really crying, holding back the pain and sorrow. But, truthfully, they had the full right to start bawling.

Chrissie stood beside the tree, just out of the shadow. As hard as she tried, the tears didn’t come out, the most was just a thin line of tears that damped her fluttering eyelashes.

The wind sliced through her thin hoodie, and made her shiver violently. Their clothing was not fit to stand this weather.

Just then, sirens came blaring up the street, and a few seconds later, police cars, firetrucks, and ambulances appeared on the road.

Too late. It was not a surprise, for they lived at least half an hour from the nearest station. One of the many disadvantages of living in the middle of nowhere.

The trucks and cars stopped blaring and men and women wearing uniforms and protective gear scrambled out of the car. The policemen yelled at the girls, but they didn’t hear anything, and looked up at them in fright.

The firemen ran into the house, oblivious to the fact that there was no fire left, only smoke.

Policemen hurried over to the girls, and hauled them into the ambulances, where they were met by nurses and doctors.

Everything happened in a blur, the nurses rushed everywhere, checking them up, testing everything and asking the same questions over and over again to the same answer.

Soon, Chrissie found herself in a hospital, on a stretcher, being rolled through an empty hall.

She tried to sit up, but constraints restrained her. Groaning, she looked down at her body.

She was wearing a hospital robe that felt like paper. It was baggy and personally, she thought she looked like a light blue paper bag princess. Now, all she was missing was a flimsy crown.

The silence was broken by a lady’s voice behind her, and she tilted her head up to see who it was. “Good afternoon, little girl. Are you okay? Do you hurt anywhere? Your head? Here, let me unbuckle you,” the nurse, who looked around 40, stopped, and reached forward to unbuckle the constraints.

She leaned back, and crouched back down to push up the back of the stretcher, so that Chrissie was in a position that was comfortable.

Chrissie was rolled down a few more hallways, passing areas where patients were sitting on chairs and waiting to be called.

Finally, she entered a private hospital room. There were three beds, two which were taken by Cherlin and Kylie.

The walls were blank white, and there was a window seat that stretched all the way across the length of the room. Beside the bed was a nightstand with a lamp, and to the right wall, a door leading to, most likely, a washroom.

The nurse helped her off the stretcher, and onto the bed, beside Cherlin’s bed, which was in the middle.

“Your four younger sisters are in a separate room, but they are right beside you. They will be in need of extra care, so I hope you girls will be able to take care of yourselves. We will be coming in to check up occasionally. In around an hour, dinner will be served. Your nurse is Cara, and if she is busy, then you will call for me, my name is Lucinda.

Your sisters and you girls will be reunited soon, after they all settle in. If you would like, you’re welcome to take a bath. If you need any help or assistance, please press that button,” she pointed at a red button just behind the lamp, and continued, “I’m sure you girls will be able to take care of yourselves. Now, I will be getting along. Goodbye,” she waved stiffly, and with a wry smile, backed out the room, pulling the stretcher along.

The whole time, she talked monotone, as if she memorized the speech, with no meaning. Her smile was fake, and everything she did seemed fake.

Once she left, the door swinging closed quietly behind her, the room silenced, and nobody looked at anyone. Finally, Kylie broke the silence with a sniffle, and Cherlin started calming her down with kind and reassuring words.

Chrissie kept her head turned from them, facing the lamp with it’s white drum shade.

Her head throbbed, and her heart ached, she could barely keep her eyes open as she slid under the safe covers. A few seconds later, her heavy eyelids fell, and she entered a shaky slumber.

“Chrissie! Mom’s going to go take the little ones to daycare! Cherlin’s out, and Kylie’s at a playdate. Please watch over Evi and Alicia while I’m gone. Thanks, Chrissie. Bye!” Chrissie’s mom, Eileen, called to her.

Chrissie mumbled something, intently reading her new book.

“I don’t need to be taken care of! I’m nine years old!” Alicia huffed from her room that she shared with Kylie.

Eileen rolled her eyes and smiled at Chrissie as she passed her door, quickly walking off holding baby Shirley. April and May scrambled to catch up, while rambling on to each other about how pretty their barbie dolls were.

After some loud bustling, there was a soft “bang,” and the whole house was silent, except for the occasional flips of pages, and clicking sounds coming from Alicia, who was playing on the computer.

The car engine started, and then rumbled off, bringing her mom and the little ones away…

Chrissie sat up suddenly. Her head throbbed, and she slammed back down, moaning and wincing at the pain. Her head and heart were throbbing and pounding in unison, as she squirmed around, careful not to roll off the bed.

She sat up, and flicked her hair up and down with the back of her hand, creating a cool wind. Her back was sweating, and her hands were clammy.

The bedsheet and the covers were thick, but comfortable, while her hospital robe was scratchy, and sticky.

Standing up, she twirled around the room, wind seeping through the thin fabric. Sighing, she looked back at Kylie and Cherlin. Cherlin slumbered peacefully, a small snore escaping from her. Her short emo hair was black and highlighted with cherry-red streaks. She had bangs that reached up to her elbows, while her hair reached to her shoulders, barely touching.

Kylie was more squeamish, twisting this way and that, mumbling under her breath, and frowning a lot. Her jet black hair was plastered all over her face, and stuck to her neck.

Chrissie stopped, and felt herself shrinking, withering. If they woke up, what would she do? She knew she was fully responsible. Now that she thought about it, would it go on her criminal record when she grew up? She was so sure it wouldn’t, but what if…?

Shaking her head, she sighed and shuffled to the window seat, stretching out, with her face tilted toward the giant window, gazing at the buildings far, far away. They were at least 20 stories high, because she knew these private rooms were on the highest floors, minus the rooms that the staff were only allowed to enter.

She knew the private rooms were expensive, so, who was going to pay for them? The government? Her only aunt and uncle? Or her grandparents. With an exasperated sigh, she splayed her hands out onto the cool glass, humming to herself softly.

Just then, the door swung open, stopping just before it hit the wall. She heard someone suck in a breath, before walking in, wheeling in a cart.

Chrissie sat up, and looked at the door. It was a young nurse, who looked in her 20s. Her hair was pulled back in a bun, like every other nurse, and she wore a white penny-skirt with a white suit.

She smiled kindly, and pulled in the cart loaded with food, keeping the door open with her foot. “Good evening, Chrissie, I’m Cara, your primary nurse. How was your sleep? Do you want to wash up? Or comb your hair? I’ve got dinner ready,” she smiled again, and whisked off the lid of the platters of food.

There was 6 platters of food, each with a specific amount of food. There was a bowl of oatmeal, a box of milk, a bun with cream, and a butter muffin. In the middle of the bottom shelf was a container of salad covered in caesar sauce.

Chrissie’s mouth watered as she stood up, and walked to the bathroom. “I’ll brush my hair, and then, I’d like to eat before I shower. Oatmeal’s always been my favourite,” Chrissie gushed, grabbing the brush Cara held out, and tugged through her long, tangled hair.

The food was delicious and warm, filling up her empty stomach as she shoved down the oatmeal, biting, and sipping on the milk. She licked her lips, and turned her head to look out the window.

Cara had left the room, leaving three plates of food, and a bit of salad on the window seat. Chrissie scraped off the last bit of Oatmeal from the bowl, and stuffing the last bite of the bun into her mouth, she gulped it all down with her milk.

Chrissie pushed away some of the pillows to create space to put down her plate, and grabbing her muffin, she turned around to stare out the window.

Each bite made her more depressed, each bite made her more anxious and guilty. Finally, she set the half of her muffin on the plate, and knocked her head on the glass. She stood up, and knocked her knees against the edge of the window seat, nervously chewing on her lip, while fiddling with her fingers.

She hurt a grunt and yawn, as Cherlin woke up, stretching out her arms.

Chrissie spun around, ready to defend herself for whatever words Cherlin wanted to throw at her.

She said nothing. Shuffling into the slippers, she sat still on the bed, staring out the window with her shoulders slumped.

Finally, she sighed and stood up, still staring out the window, she said, “I won’t blame you, but I can’t not blame you either,” she straightened her back, and glanced at Chrissie. “You are my sister. We will help each other, and lean on each other in our new life. I cannot say our new life is started by you, but similarly, I can’t say it’s not. I’m sure you feel guilty enough right now,” she sighed again, and flicked her bangs over her shoulder.

“Sorry,” Chrissie stammered, speechless and nervous, leaning against the seat. She ducked her head, and scrunched up the robe material in her hands.

Cherlin sighed and walked forward, leaning forward against the seat, a meter away from Chrissie, who was facing the other way. Cherlin opened her mouth, about to say something, but then closed it, looking down at the food below her.

“It’s your dinner,” Chrissie blurted, sitting down on a pillow.

Cherlin nodded, and turned around to look at Kylie. “If she doesn’t wake up soon, the food will be cold..”

“I’ll-I’ll wake her up,” Chrissie sputtered, regretting it right away, but luckily, Cherlin shook her head.

“Let her sleep, I think she’s the most restless of us all,” she said, taking the plate, and slowly scooping up spoonfuls of oatmeal.

Just as Chrissie was about to pick up her unfinished muffin, the alarm started wailing, beeping continuously.

Chrissie and Cherlin looked at each other in fright, as Kylie jerked up, and looked around, eyes wide with horror.

Cara came banging into the room, waving us out of the room. “Quick, hurry! Fast, follow me,” with that, she disappeared down the hallway.

They rushed to catch up, storming down the hall after her, with other patients pooling out of the rooms, all led by doctors and nurses.

The elevator was closed, so they had to take the stairs. All 20 or so sets of them. Children were dragged down by adults. Elders were being practically carried down the flights of stairs, as they zoomed past all of them, not bothering to look back, or help.

“Are my sisters okay!?” Kylie screamed to Cara over the crowd. By “sisters,” she obviously meant Alicia, her favourite sister and best friend.

Cara answered with a subtle nod of her head, glancing back to make sure they were following as they rushed out the emergency exit.

“Follow me! You see where all the people are!?” Cara screamed, jabbing a finger toward the crowds of people by the forest a few hundred meters away. “We’re heading there! Your sisters are under that willow tree!” She continued, pointing at the giant willow tree in the middle of the other maples.

They nodded vigorously, and took off across the snowy field, legs pumping hard as they neared the forest, and the tree.

Dodging the people, they scanned the area for their sisters, and got to them in a few seconds.

“Alicia, Alicia!” Kylie shouted right away when we were in front of them.

Cherlin breathed a sigh of relief as she crouched down to hug May and April, who were looking up at her with bulging eyes, tears streaming down their faces. They clambered onto Cherlin, and stuffed their faces into her shoulder, wailing hysterically.

Evi stood a few feet away, cowering in the shade of the tree, head ducked, and hands clasped together timidly. Her “new Dora” hair reached her elbows, and her cropped bangs barely shaded her bleary eyes.

A tear rolled halfway down her wet cheeks, before dropping into the snow, creating a hole in the thin layer of snow.

“Where’s Alicia!?” Kylie screeched, shaking Evi vigorously.

Evi brought a palm to her eyes, and wiped at her face, sniffing sadly. “She-she’s up there. In our room,” Evi hiccuped, pointing up at the building.

A fire wrapped the middle of the building. Burning it’s way through, while parts of the building crumpled, smashing on the ground, and sending parts flying in every direction.

“Why!?” Kylie continued screeching, squeezing Evi’s arms.

“She-she d-didn’t come d-down with us,” Evi sniffed, wiping her nose. “Sh-she was scared. W-when we got here, sh-she wasn’t here,” Evi sputtered, hiccuping.

“Where’s your nurse?” Kylie looked at Evi, her voice softer, seeing how uncomfortable Evi was.

“She went to get her,” Evi replies.

Kylie opened her mouth to say something, but snapped it shut, and nodded curtly, turning around to face the building.

“What’s your nurse's name?” Kylie asked, looking back at Evi.

“Lucinda,” Evi stammered, following Kylie’s gaze to two figures running out of the building.

A lady wearing all white, a nurse, was carrying a small girl, and sprinting as fast as she can. But, a glance up at the top of the building, told them they weren’t going to make it in time.

The top of the building was starting to tip over, the fire was cutting through the middle of the building, like sawing down a tree.

Kylie’s eyes brightened, but bulged when she noticed they weren’t going to make it. She gasped, starting to run toward them. “Alicia! Alicia! Lucinda! Over here! Faster!” She screamed, flailing her arms wildly. But, her voice just got covered by the hundreds of other voices surrounding them.

There were fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances that were parked in the parking lot. Even though firemen pooled into the building carrying hoses and carrying people down, it was obvious that the fire was too big, and the building was already falling. This was just 9/11 repeating itself.

“Don’t go!” Cherlin yelled after her, standing back up. “Kylie, you’re going to get yourself killed!” Cherlin screamed, running after Kylie. She caught up, just as Kylie was about to start sprinting.

She dragged her back, even though Kylie was flailing and flinging herself to the ground. “Alicia!” She yelled, dragging out the words.

Alicia’s head popped up, and turned toward her voice, but her face was expressionless.

Lucinda’s speed was slowing down, as she got wearier and wearier, but she pushed herself along, one foot following the other.

Chrissie looked between Kylie and Evi as they “conversed.” She had a frown plastered to her face, as she turned her head to look at the burning building. She had realized that Alicia was in there, but she just couldn’t apprehend it.

Why was Alicia in there? How come she didn’t feel worried?

She sighed in frustration, and scanned her surroundings. Practically everyone was wailing, screaming, or mourning. She pursed her lips, and squinted at three pale figures in the distance.

They looked exactly like her parents and baby Shirley. Huddled together safely.

Her heart raced, as she looked up at the tipping building, it was going to fall on them, they were too close. She wanted to run to them, or warn them. But, her feet were frozen, glued to the ground. Words couldn’t come out of her mouth. Her tongue strained to form words, but instead, only a sputter came out.

She felt adrenaline course through her system, as she pushed forward. It’s wasn’t her fear that was stopping her from moving, it was rather a force.

She groaned, and with a sad moan, she collapsed to the ground, staring at her parents and sister, as the building came toppling down. The wail that escaped her, was nothing humane. It sounded somewhat like a dying donkey, but not as high pitched.

Since it was so loud, nobody heard her.

Grappling the grass and dirt, she urged herself to crawl forward, but instead, she was pushed back.

Evi, May, and April were looking at her like as if she was crazy, and then, Evi finally came over.

“Chrissie. What’s wrong? Stop it!” She screamed in frustration, squeezing her sister’s shoulders.

“I saw them. Mom, Dad, and Baby,” Chrissie moaned, scrambling to get up. “I have to go. Stop pulling me!” She snapped, jerking herself out of Evi’s grip.

“Chrissie, stop it! They’re… They’re gone. Dead. Come back! Alicia is about to…about to go away if Lucinda’s too slow,” Evi cried, sniffing. “Please, stop it, Chrissie! We need help! May and April are crying!” She wailed, and looked over her shoulder to check the little girls.

“You don’t need my help! They do! Now go away!” Chrissie shoved her and started running forward. The building was already tipping, and it’s shadow loomed over the frightened crowd.

The same force from before sent her toppling back to where she started, she blinked and dusted herself off, before noticing it was no use. “I tried!” She wailed, and span around to look at her sisters.

She ran back and ducked her head. “I’m sorry Evi, I made you worry. It was probably some post-traumatic hallucination,” Chrissie wiped her eyes and looked at a nurse carrying Alicia run toward them. Cherlin and Kylie had turned around and ran back, standing at the edge of the forest, and staring at them anxiously.

Suddenly time slowed. The building was only about 40 meters above ground, and Alicia was 10 meters from them. It was pretty obvious that they weren’t going to make it. It would fall much faster than Lucinda could run.

Chrissie ran a stiff hand through her hair, and looked back and forth between Alicia and Kylie.

Kylie was wailing hysterically, and Cherlin was trying to assure her, her hand moving slowly back and forth along her back.

With a heave, she threw Alicia the last few meter, and Chrissie felt something being pulled out of her, as the building tumbled down, and squashed Lucinda, with Alicia just out of the reach of the wreck.

The whole place was silent. The whole world seemed silent to Chrissie. She had looked back, and saw the ghost of her parents and Shirley being squashed by the building, but Chrissie was feelingless.

She had felt it. Chrissie knew she had done it. She saved Alicia. She had done something to power Lucinda’s throw. Chrissie didn’t know how she knew. She was exhausted, overwhelmed, she didn’t know if she could last any longer, and she finally collapsed, her knees buckling under her.

Hours passed before Chrissie finally woke up. They were in another hospital now. Chrissie wasn’t exactly feeling the best she’s ever had. Her head was throbbing and she felt extremely woozy, like as if she was drunk. But, she’s never even peered into a glass of alcohol before. It was like when people claimed that blood tasted metallic, but seriously, who tasted metal before?

She grunted and tried to shift over, but she was strapped tightly down to a stretcher. Her eyes blinked open and was met with complete darkness. The only light escaped from the crack under a door. With a groan she decided to just wait for a nurse to come. Meanwhile, she shut her eyes for another wink. Before she was able to even settle in once more, the door banged open and an unknown nurse stomped in.

“You see, she’s awake! We’re not quarantining her. Now please leave her be because I’m sure she’s not feeling her best right now, are you dear?” She tilted her head to Chrissie and shooed someone out to the hall.

Chrissie grumbled and squirmed around in the tight space.

“Don’t try to budge. You aren’t perfect yet and the tubes are still in. Probably can’t feel them ‘cause the anesthetics effect probably aren’t all over yet. Just take a wink and you’ll be good to go and reunite soon enough,” the nurse walked over and checked out the tubes, flicking on the light switch. “We’ll get you unhooked in 5 minutes.” With a flick of her wrist, she turned the light off and marched straight out the door.

Chrissie wasn’t someone to be freaked by the dark. Darkness was something that she looked forward to. Darkness embraced by silence and peace. Not something that she could get 24/7, unlike a few of her siblingless classmates... to be continued...