Memory Remnants

Part 1: Hannah

"Ewww! What smells? Oh, that's right... It's just my baby sis's diapers," teased Austin without peeling his eyes from the screen for even a second.

"Oh believe me when I tell you that you are going to be in adult diapers long before I ever am, old man," Hannah bantered back as she went up the stairs two at a time to go take a shower.

Madeline sat down on the couch and watched Austin play.

"I see you're here again. When are you not here when Hannah is?" he badgered.

"It's a rare occasion."

Austin enjoyed to tease his family members and friends while Madeline gave honest answers with no second meaning. She never bothered to make up a comeback.

"You know, teasing isn't as fun if the other person isn't doing it back."

"I'm aware of that, but I don't really care."

Austin stared at her, baffled, while the screen went black to load the next stage by looking at her reflection on it. She smiled kindly at him. She had known him for so many years that he was like her brother. Natalie hung up the phone at that moment and flipped her hair.

They all looked a lot like Sophie. Pale, flawless skin that almost looked fragile, deep brown eyes, pitch black hair, slim torsos, long, thin pianist fingers, pointed chins, and rounded cheeks. Hannah and Austin had a bit of muscle, but not much, though Sophie and Natalie were more feminine looking. They also had long flowing hair while Austin had hair that was almost buzz cut short and Hannah's hair hung a bit over the nap of her neck, but that was as far as it went. It was normally a bit unkempt, too.

Hannah came down the stairs with damp hair and clean clothes. She had always been able to shower quickly. "Madeline. I promised your mom that I would have dinner with her tonight, so let's go."

"Have fun," Natalie encouraged.

"And use a condom," added Austin.

Madeline blushed.

"None of us have that part, though," reminded Hannah.

"I just never know with you two," he sniffed.

They left and went the ten block difference to her house. When she opened the door, they were blasted with the scent of Madeline's mom's cooking. It smelled so good. They walked to the reading room to find Alex. Madeline's nine year old brother looked a bit strange seeing how he was so small and was sitting in a huge armchair that could fit three of him while he read a moderately sized paperback book. He was awfully cute with his rosy cheeks, fluffy black hair, and sky blue eyes under his thick rimmed glasses. He looked up at them and smiled. He was missing a tooth beside his front teeth.

"Hi, sis! Welcome home!" he giggled. He acted a lot like a mini Madeline.

Unlike Hannah's family, Madeline's family hadn't taken the news of Madeline being a lesbian and dating Hannah very well, but they got over it quickly. It was just a shock. Alex had only been five at the time, so he hadn't understood what was happening. Now that he was older, he was beginning to see what it was, but he still didn't comprehend it entirely.

"Hello, darling. What are you reading?" Madeline cooed as she read over his shoulder. Her family babied that boy beyond belief since he was so much younger than them.

"A Magic Tree House book. It's my favorite series," he replied as he went back to reading it.

"Is this one of the ones I got you for your birthday?"

"I dunno. I think so."

"You don't remember which ones I gave you?" She gave a dramatic grasp.

"I have so many, though."

"Kids! Dinner!" called Madeline's mother.

They all raced down to the table and sat down to eat the wonderful food Madeline's mother had made for them. They all talked about their days in turn as they ate. Hannah always found it interesting how they were all so civilized and orderly while her family was havoc with a capital everything. She looked at them each slowly. They looked like such a mix of their parents. Madeline had her father's eyes and her mother's hair while Alex was the opposite of that. Though, their mother had very short hair. Shorter than Hannah's, but longer than Austin's. Their dad had gray spots in his hair.

Soon dinner was over.

"I'll walk you home," declared Madeline.

"No need. I'd worry about you walking home by yourself all night. I can take care of myself," she reminded her.

Madeline gave her one of her rare frowns before saying, "Fine, but I'm walking you to the end of the block."

Hannah didn't argue with that one. She doubted anything would happen to her. They walked down the street together while talking. Hannah wasn't really paying that much attention to where she was going because the streets and roads were usually pretty vacant around Madeline's house.

"Hannah! Watch out!" Madeline suddenly screamed.

Hannah had walked into the street and a car was coming her way quickly. Within seconds, Hannah was pushed to the ground and the car rammed into Madeline's side instead. Madeline rolled along the hood then crashed to the ground ungracefully. It happened so quickly that she didn't feel anything until she was on the ground. All she could see was blackness as it enclosed her. Bringing her deeper and deeper in it. Away from the pain and the fear.