*WARNING* This story contains mature content such as suicide, death, and the use of substances. If you find yourself sensitive to these materials, please be cautious when reading. If you or anyone you may know is struggling with these topics, please get help as soon as you can. Life is great for high school senior Weston Daniels. He's succeeding in school, has an amazing group of friends, and he's built a strong relationship with his family. Especially his sister -- Melanie Daniels. One day, however, this would all change. His parents get into accidents, and he's left to support him and his sister on his own outside of school. His relationship with his sister weakens, and eventually he stumbles upon something that will change his life forever. © All Rights Reserved
Chapter 1 Prologue
I heard a thud, and ran up the stairs as fast as I could. "Mel? Mel!" I screamed. No response. I tried to open the door but couldn't get anything more than the jiggle of a door knob. I tried to kick the door down, but to no evail. A tingle started crawling up my spine as I flew down the stairs, skipping every other step. Suddenly I entered a daze. What could she be doing? Why wouldn't the door open? why didn't she answer? My head spun as I ran through my house to the garage, tripping over a glass table and cutting myself in the process. I could barely feel it, I was full of adrenaline.
I had to get in there, I had to figure out what was going on. I opened the garage door and opened the inventory cabinet. I grabbed an old, rusty axe given to me by my grandfather almost 11 years ago when he passed. I ran back out of the garage, and dangerously hustled my way through my house to the stairs. "Mel! Are you okay?" I yelled again. I received no response. I made my way up the stairs slowly this time, remembering I had an axe in hand, and I already cut myself once. I was shaking and numb, I struggled to catch my breath. What could possibly be wrong? I walked up to the door, and braced myself. I put the axe up over my shoulders and swung. I did this again and again until I got to the other side. I couldn't see anything and I couldn't reach through the door. Something was blocking it, which explains why I couldn't get it down the first time. What could she be blocking? I was crying now, and wiggled my arm through the very small space between the door and the barricade and reached the lock on the other side. I unlocked the door and began to push as hard as I could. All at once, whatever was blocking the door fell, and something made of glass shattered. The door swung open and I fell into the room. I looked up. I couldn't move. All the feeling in my body had left me. I was crying before, but I started to sob. I screamed, "Melanie!" As if that was going to change what was in front of me.