Begin Again

Prologue

"Did you brush your teeth?" My dad asked while tucking me in bed.

"Of course I did, dad," I told him, rolling my eyes.

He laughed and ruffled my hair. "Good. Now, mom and I have friends coming over." He said, heading to the door. "It's an adult party otherwise I would've let you stay up with us. We'll be downstairs with your brother if you need any of us."

I nodded, not surprised. My mom had spent the whole day cooking for the guests, and trying to keep me out of the kitchen.

"Goodnight, Eve." He said before turning off my bedroom light and closing the door. The second I heard his footsteps heading downstairs, I reached under my bed to pull out my copy of 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone.' I pulled out my flashlight from under my pillow and clicked it on, ready to read more about Harry and his adventures.

After reading two chapters, I began to hear chatter and people arriving downstairs. Deciding I needed to pee, I got up and crept towards the door. I opened it slowly, blinking at the sudden bright lights of the hallway. I looked both ways before leaving the comfort of my room and padding across the hall to the bathroom.

I paused at the stairs when I heard my name, scrunching my eyebrows in confusion as I listened to the conversation.

"How's Eve, by the way? I would've brought Riley but it was way past his bedtime and I knew Eve would be asleep as well," A woman's voice drifted up the stairs.

I didn't wait for the answer, as I really needed to pee. I ran to the bathroom, all the while wondering who RIley was. I had never heard his name before, and nor had I heard that woman's voice before.

After peeing and washing my hands, I came out of the bathroom, carefully closing the door behind me. I tiptoed to my room, ignoring my urge to eavesdrop again. I successfully made it to my room without being caught, and I jumped into bed, too tired to continue reading.

Within minutes, I was asleep.

***

"EVE, WAKE UP," someone yelled, shoving me awake. My eyes flew open and immediately, I smelled smoke. My brother's face was hovering over me, eyebrows scrunched in worry. He picked me up, slinging me over his shoulder and ran for the door.

"Where's mom and dad, Leo?!" I cried, when I saw the fire slowly making it's way up the stairs. My brother ignored me, swearing at the fact our only safe exit was gone. He headed to my room again, and set me on my bed. He pushed open my window, glancing at the doorway every few seconds.

All I could see and breathe was smoke. The fire was in the hallway now, and I heard a big crash come from downstairs.

"Eve, we have to jump!" He yelled, picking me up again. I nodded, now too shocked to say anything. Where were my parents? Were they dead? What happened? What about my things?

My mouth stayed shut, however, and my brother held me close to him as he lifted a leg over the window. I squeezed my eyes shut when I heard him take in a deep breath and then I felt-

Nothing.