“God is closest to those with broken hearts.” – Jewish Proverb

11th November, 2006.

7:02 a.m.

The glittering sun-rays spread various hues of shiny silvers and golds across the cold, silent room. My weak eyes opened to the brightness of the hospital but a sudden darkness swallowed me, as if it were a well. I had to close my eyes eyes immediately, with so much difficulty.

Looking down the hole that led to nowhere, I could taste the bitterness of my fate; the sour spit that hunger had released into my dry mouth drizzled around in an uncontrolled manner. My stomach churned and my intestines were strangled, as though a snake had twirled around them and slit them with its sharp and jagged teeth releasing a strong poison that irritated the surface of my innards.

Letting go of the pain clouded in my head; my two, blue eyes blurred for what seemed eternity. Leading me to the subconsciousness of my mind.

I opened my eyes to the clear view of the white hospital curtains.

"Where's mum? Where's dad?" I shivered. Just then, I noticed someone's presence in the room.

"Don't worry my dear... I'm here with you now." His deep baritone voice replied.

I looked at his tall figure in confusion.
He was a built man in navy green shirt and his dark hair reminded me so much of dad.

"W...who are you, sir?" I dared to ask the familiar stranger I'd never met.
A small smile press across his slim, chapped lips as he sat up to me. He gently tilted his head till he could reach for my head. I felt a soft kiss on my forehead my my eyes were still weak.

"I'm Collins Morrison, your uncle." He replied.
My eyebrows pulled up to his as his gaze fell on mine.

"W...what about my parents? They couldn't make it, right?" Water filled my eyes as I searched his eyes for answers.

He just nodded and suddenly held his face in the gut-wrentching sobs that tore down his lungs.
With this, a solemn tear strolled down my check; my body looked calm compared to how tangled my mind was.

"I'm really going to miss them." I admitted, and gently nibbled on my bottom lip that quivered.

"Come here, Syl." Uncle Collins held me into a side hug as I buried my red face on his t-shirt. Staining it with the uncontrollable tears, sweat and mucus that poured out of my face.
"Cry, my dear. Cry and let out all the pain." He tucked a handful of my hair to the back of my head, placing more kisses on my forehead.
I heard an involuntarily whimper escaped through his lips.

"The pleasure of love last, but a moment. Life has been so unfair to both of us after all." He said to me.

"Am I hurt? I mean... Am i injured?" My voice shivered.

"No, you're not. The doctors only kept you here fire safety. Only you survived that incident, Sly. The police reported that the driver in the  trailer was already drunk. I also heard that your parents died on the scene... It's so terrible. I shouldn't have called." Tears spilled over the sides of his eyes but he wiped it off immediately, holding me like his new baby.

Although, it was our first time meeting, I've heard from Dad that uncle Collins lost his family several years ago due to a response to devastating coordinated terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
It was the most protracted war in U.S. history. I was only 3 then. Well, that was another wound that never healed.

Later that day, I got discharged. Collins took me home in his Dodge coronret. It was an old car that smelled like spoilt oranges but I managed. I had no choice than to ride with him in his faded orange car.

When we got home, It was already afternoon. I was amazed to see that some of the decorations have already been made. Well, I'm sure mum and dad might have fully paid for their services. Right now, I don't want any birthday party, or any baby brother to play with. All on my mind is my parents. I know getting them back would be rather, impossible but that is my birthday wish right now. That's, if wishes still came true.

Collins picked up some of my luggage and something's from my parents room. I wasn't sure, though. We took tons of bags and baggage out of the building before zooming away to San Diego, where he lived.

His house was a log home he owned around the countryside. The cabin stood sideways on to the lane, its wicket gate opening on to a narrow brick path between flower beds, the path ending at an old-fashioned door with a round brass knob and a great knocker. It had, around a small fence with flowers covering it, that made it look like the garden of croquet where Alice had to play with the queen of hearts. Sounds heavenly right? Yes! And most of all, I love the environment for it's quietness. He opened the crack door with a bright smile.

"Welcome to your new home, Syl."

Gently, I took a seat on the old sofa as my eyes scrolled through the tattered room. It looked smaller and darker but just then, I realized that people are what made home, home. And Collins was the only person left for me. Maybe this would be my new home. I'd have to accept whatever I find with it. With the novel in my hands, The Price of Freedom by Alison Fraser, I sat calmly, watching him pack the luggage inside with so much enthusiasm.

It was quieter but, I hope it's for the better.

***

2 Years Later...

Saturday Morning,

09:19 p.m.

It has thatched roof above cob walls was much patched, although picturesque, and doubtless in the summer it presented a charming picture, but just now, on a dripping November afternoon, it looked forlorn, as forlorn as the girl opening the gate.

I was wrapped in a rather elderly raincoat with a scarf wound round my neck and a woolly cap pulled well down on to a pale face, quite unremarkable save for a pair of fine blue eyes, and despite the bulky coat, I was too thin.

Closing the gate carefully, I hurried up the path and let myself into the cottage, casting off my outdoor things in the hall and motioned straight into the sitting room.

It was a pleasant enough room with some nice pieces furnishing it and a scattering of old sofa and shabby armchairs. I switched on the light, scooped up the sleek cat sitting in one of the chairs and with her on my lap, she sat down. The room was untidy and across the hall the dining room table was still littered with cups and saucers and plates and the remains of hemp and sandwiches consumed by Collins's friends who had came to spend time with him earlier that morning. They smoked hemp and drank beer afterwards. But that would have to wait. With too much on my mind, I had to wash up for the moment; I had an headache and needed to meet the Pharmacist who'd instructed me to come for prescriptions a day before.

Collins's friends came for hangout as they usually had every Friday night. Truth be told, he'd been a drug addict before I was even born, since he'd lost his family in that terrible bomb attack in 2001. It was a good way for him getting out of the pains but instead, caused more health damages to his system which eventually winged him into narcotics dealership with Benjamin Talker and the rest of them. Well, Ben is like the king of the Area. No, he is the king of the area. He drops every once in a blue moon to get rid of our peace and piece of livelihood.

I took a brown Sponge cake and placed it on the small stool in front of me. Opening it brought a smile on my face. On it, there was 'Happy 10th birthday, Sylvia!' on it. Just then, I remembered I saved a candle for the cake. I rushed to my table drawer and bright out the candle. Deepening into my cake, I took out a lighter to lit up the tiny candle.

My cherished cat— North, rushed to me almost immediately. Wagging her tongue towards the tiny birthday cake but I held her close.

Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday to me,
Happy birthday princess Slyvia,
Happy birthday to me.

"Thank you! Thanks so much for your immeasurable love and affection towards me guys. I'm so excited to withness another year on earth after...  After that terrible accident." I felt painful tears creep out of my eyes as my mouth went watery-salty.
Forcing a smile on was very difficult. Memories of mum and dad flooded through my mind...

"Come on, Northie! Let's eat this cake!"

I cut a piece with the sharp carving knife and took a bite.
"For you dad! I miss you." My voice trembled to the words. I couldn't help but to remember my awkward wishes.

"Something important I've learnt in life is... What you plan to do tomorrow, do it today. Procrastination is the thief of time; you are your own fairy Godmother, my dear. And trust me, you have no idea what you mean to me. To us... To your mum and I. Don't worry, you'll get a baby brother to play with. That's my promise to you, okay?"

Then I took another bite. "For you mum, I love you." The sweet cake felt tasteless in my mouth. My lips couldn't form a smile.

"Meooow!" Northie placed her soft paws on my chest. Her tongue, stretching out to the piece of cake in my hand.

"And lastly, my cute bestie. Northie!" I placed her share of cake in a small plate. She ate it hungrily as I watched her eat, with happiness in my eyes.

"Hey Syl!" A loud kick on the door brought me back to reality. "What's this about?! Who bought you a cake?!"

"I saved it for it, uncle." I explained with a smile. It was a year's saving, actually.

"I had no idea today was umm..." I watched him carried the piece of cake from the stool in front of me and took it into the kitchen to eat.

"And... What are you still doing here? Clean up this mess, please!" He frowned at me.

I took all the cups and plates immediately to the kitchen. With everything making an annoying clashing sound into the sink. Collins looked at my direction with a frown, with the cake stuffed in his mouth.

"You don't have to break all my dishes because I simply asked you to clean up the mess! Such annoying brat!" He hissed underneath his breath.

"I'm so sorry, it's a mistake." I whined childishly.

Everytime, he keeps reminding me of every wrong I make. Mistakenly or not, which is kind of... annoying.

"Whatever! Holy shit!" He dropped the last piece of cake.

"What's it uncle?" My eyebrows pulled up in concern as I turned to him. My eyes caught the butter handing over the corners of his mouth.

"Oh goodness! I forgot!" He deepened his right hand into his left pocket and handed me a dollar note.

"Get me a bottle of Hennessy and two packs of cigarette from Tobi's store." He commanded, stuffing the last piece of cake into his mouth. I thought he'd actually wanted to save it for Northie but it's obvious that Collins cared less.

I collected the cash from him abruptly and walked out.

"Meooow! Meeooow!!"
Northie rushed after me as I walked out of the wicket gate into the empty street. It was a 15 minutes walk to Toni's store. That was the closest shop to our apartment as it is and I go there almost everyday. Running errands for my uncle, of course.

The day was a little cold and peaceful along the road. It was dark and a little scary. One could hear the sound of dog barking and cricket creaking, that echoed in the distance. The only source of light was the illuminated moonlight that went blurry into the night sky and the street lights that stood like invisible cult members along the road. I used to do this very often but something felt off. Something felt awkwardly different as a chilly cold blew.

I waited and watched every vehicle that zoomed pass me. As if I was waiting for someone to attack or something. Feeling lonely, I took fast steps, walking into the next street where Tobi's sstore was. There was a huge signboard standing opposite the old store with WELCOME TO TOBI'S STORES... ESTABLISH 1970 on it.

Walking towards the store, I saw him taking off some things from outside. It was almost 10:00 p.m, his closing time. Tobi Biggs is a famous store owner. It is said that he established the shop immediately after highschool at the age of 20, in 1970. Tobi was a black American in his late 50's. Known to be very kind and friendly, everyone speaks to him informally.

"Hello Tobi!" I walked in and took an order.

He packaged everything into a shopping bag for me and handed it over with a smile.

"You should stop coming out so late at night, okay? It's risky."

"Heard you!" I replied him with a cheerful smile and waved him a good bye.

"You should tell your dad I told you that! Okay?" He yelled as I walked into the darkness.

'Well, good thing. People thought Collins was my dad. There's a slight resemblance anyways, but that's definitely not in character. My dad is always the best.' I pondered over the thought as I walked into the darkness.
One could hear the sound of dog barkings in the distance.

   Walking back home, I noticed a set of teenagers sticking some posters to the wall. They did it in such a rush as if, there were in a hurry. I couldn't help but to think there were scared about the invisible things that takes over the city after 10:00 p.m. Looking side by side, the rushed away as I made my way to the wall. I was just too curious to know that it was. What they'd gone out of their way to do.

It was a beauty pageant contest for girls between the ages of 10-16. I took out a piece that was sticking out at me and tore it out of the wall. Reading through it, I wasn't able to understand it clearly so, I folded it into the side of my pocket and quickly walked home. Northie meowed nervously after me but who knows, I might be a participant, right?