Raven

Chapter 1

Chapter 1- life changing news

"I'm sorry but ... she is gone", the doctor reported to me. I stood shocked at the news. It couldn't be true, could it? As much as I despised her, she was still my...

2 hours ago

I sit in my bed listening to the sound of the rain splashing against the window and the thunder roaring across the sky. British summer was never the best. I thought about all the homework I have due after the holidays and dismiss it as quickly as it came to my mind. The rain gave me a sense of calm and peace, but I couldn't help but feel like something is going to happen. The moment of serenity came to an end as the doorbell rang echoing throughout the house. With a groan, I pulled my warm duvet off me and shivered when the cold air hit me. I trudged down the stairs in my PJ's and opened the door, shocked to see the police there.

"Hi, are you Raven Cromwell?" one of them asked.

I nodded my head in fear of my voice deceiving me. Usually, I was a confident girl but not when it came to the police and possibly getting arrested.

"We need you to come with us. Your mum is in hospital and we don't know if she'll make it or not" the other one said sympathy laced in his voice. I was disgusted, I didn't want his sympathy nor his pity. As a sign of confirmation, I grabbed my jacket and slipped on my shoes putting my phone in my pocket. I sat in the police car after locking the door and put my head back my eyes closing slightly.

We arrived at the hospital, 30 minutes later and walked in.

"Hi. I'm here for Mandy Cromwell. Can you tell me where she is?" I asked the lady at the desk, not putting on a smile. She smiled in return to my cold glare and answered, "of course, ummmmm ah she is in room 326 on floor 4" I nodded and walked towards the elevator hesitantly. I pressed number 4 and waited my heart beat rising as I questioned the consequences of her possible death. What would happen to me? Would I be sent to a care home? Did I have any family?

I couldn't ponder on them any longer as the lift came to a halt and I stepped out walking across the white tiles, the bright lights stinging my tired eyes. I looked for room 326 and when I found it, I looked through the little window at the pale woman inside. I thought I would feel some sort of remorse but all I felt was nothing, the same thing I have felt for the past 4 years whenever I saw her. Before that my heart would swell with joy at the sight of her. Before 4 years ago I loved her but 4 years ago I forgot how to love her and gave up respecting her.

I waited there the whole night not sleeping at all on the hard metal of the hospital chairs.

I got bored easily so I went to the costa near the hospital and got myself a hot chocolate, what I am still a kid. When I came back, the doctor left Mandy's room and walked towards me.

"Are you Raven Cromwell?" he asked me for the second time that night.

"yup, that's me. What's up?" I asked trying not to roll my eyes at the sympathetic look the doctor gave me.

"I'm sorry but ... she is gone", the doctor reported to me. I stood shocked at the news. It couldn't be true, could it? As much as I despised her, she was still my mother, the woman who popped me out. She was never there for me emotionally and was never there to do motherly things but come on she was still my mum. I nodded, unbothered, even though my mind was in frenzy, the earlier questions circling my mind. "I'm sorry for your loss." He said before turning to walk away.

"wait" I called after him. He turned around to face me again, "yes?"

"w-what happened to her?" I asked nervous to know the answer.

"oh. She was in a car accident. I don't know all the details of the accident so you can try asking the officers for more information. But I know she suffered a major concussion, punctured her right lung and was stabbed in the side by something. She lost too much blood and the many years of drinking alcohol had rotted her liver." He replied.

"Ok. Wow. Um thanks."

"no worries" he replied, turning around, and walking away.

I looked into the window of the room again and see the white cloth covering her body, her chest no longer moving. I sighed and ran off back to the main desk to see if the officers were still there.

They were sat there, talking in hushed voices. Stopping their conversation and looking up at me as I approached them, out of breath. I wasn't very fit. I hated exercise so much its actually unreal but off topic so yeah.

"hi again. can I ask you a question quickly?" I asked quickly.

The officer nodded and urged me to continue.

"what happened to my mum? Like you know, why was she in hospital? The doctor said something about a car accident, but he didn't know anything else. I was hoping you could tell me."

His eyes softened and I cringed mentally. "well, do you want to sit down? It'll be easier to hear the news"

He was holding this out longer than necessary. I shook my head and stayed stood up.

"ok. Well, she was drunk driving and crashed into the oak tree near the creek." He informed me.

I nodded my head and decided to get answers to my unanswered questions.

"um. One more question. Sorry. What's going to happen to me?"

"its fine. Do you know a Rob? Your mother told me to ask a Rob if he wanted you or not?"

I was shocked to say the least. "yeah. I do he's my mum's husband so my stepdad. Do you need me to call him?"

"yes please. If you can."

I rung the number and grew more anxious with each ring. I was more nervous as to how he would react, rather than if he would take me in or not. I put it on speaker so the officer lady could also hear the conversation. I was broke out of my thoughts as a gruff voice barked out of the phone.

"what?" was how I was greeted. I rose my eyebrows at his warming gesture. Note the sarcasm.

The officer took over speaking into the phone calmly.
"hi sir. This is police officer Margaret speaking I'm calling to tell yo..."

"oh. For fucks sake. What did she do now? That little brat"

"she hasn't done anything. It's about your wife she got into a car accident, suffered fatal injuries and unfortunately didn't make it. We were informed that you were your daughter's..."

"step!" he interrupted angrily

"sorry sir, your stepdaughter's closest relative and would like to know if you would be her guardian or not?"

He paused for a moment as if he were thinking or even concerned but all my thoughts apparated by his next words or should I say his laughter.

"she's dead huh? Good, the old hag was starting to get on my nerves anyway and as for the girl she can curl up in a ditch and die." He laughed out hanging up the phone going back to what I assume is drinking.

"Well now what am I going to do?" I questioned, scared for my future, even though I didn't really want one. Shut up what the hell?

The older man spoke up "well, she, your mother, did give us a number before she went and told us to ring and see if they want you."

I was confused what number could my mother possibly leave for me.

He walked outside into the now calm air, the weather seemingly matching my emotions now, bipolar and confused. I wouldn't be half surprised if it started snowing. I watched as Jerry, that is his name from what I learnt, took a slip of paper out of his pocket, and dialled the number, letting it ring before speaking into the receiver.

I questioned the possibility of having a new family and felt a glimmer of hope in my heart something I hadn't felt in a while.

I hope u enjoyed the first chapter. ik there's not rlly much to go off but hey its there.

1438 words

Umaymah❤