Evanescence

Chapter One; Erica

Thank you 9CorazonesOcultos for allowing me to use this idea, cover, and for editing for me without a second thought. I hope it's as good as you think it'll be <3

“Don’t fret, my little bird. You’ll be home before you know it.”

I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my tears from spilling over. My mom knew as well as I did she wasn’t going to bounce back from this. Even if she did survive, and that was a big if, it would take forever to recover. Not to mention she wouldn’t be well enough to work for quite a while- we were living off of my paycheck alone right now, all of the money we had saved up over the years used on expensive medications and treatments.

“I love you,” I whispered, and I wrapped her in a tight hug. She returned the embrace, her chin resting atop my head.

“I love you too, Sang, but Erica is waiting outside.” I could hear the tears in her voice. “It’s time for you to go.”

A pathetic whimper escaped me without permission, but I squeezed my mom one last time and pulled away. Bending down, I grabbed my bags, swinging my backpack onto my back and holding the others. I turned to give my mom a peck on the cheek, whispered another quick ‘Love you,’ and walked out the door.

I tried not to remember it might be for the last time.

~|~|~

“Sang, sweetie. We’re here.”

Slowly, I opened my eyes, my body and mind exhausted. While I hadn’t been asleep I had been close to it, my mind lost in the events of today.

I yawned, stretching a bit before glancing at Erica in the front seat. She looked back at me, smiling warmly, and I couldn’t help but hate the way I liked her. I hated the way I found her sparkling emerald eyes pretty, or the way I admired her long brown hair.

I didn’t want to like her, but I did.

For the past year my adoptive mother had been battling kidney cancer, and originally, we thought she had a chance of beating it. A few weeks ago, however, after my mother came back from another round of radiation therapy, I was given probably the worst news in my life. She wasn't getting better.

I think that was the worst day of my life. Worse than when my step-mother locked me in the shower and left me to die. Worse then when I found out my step-mother wasn't my birth mother. Worse then the day I was hit by a car. Worse then... I don't even know any more! It was just worse.

And now I was being sent to 'temporarily' live with total strangers.

I understood why, I really did. My mother was sick and couldn't take care of me, but I could take care of myself! I could cook and clean, I could keep the house in order and still work. I'd support her. Instead, she pushed me away from her, sending me a state over to live with Erica and her family. It just wasn't fair.

"Sang?"

I blinked, Erica's soft voice pulling me out of my train of thought as I realied she had gotten out of the car and opened my door for me.

"Sorry," I whispered. Quickly, so as not to keep Erica waiting, I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car, shutting the door behind me. Though we were in South Carolina, the night air was cool enough to make me shiver, wishing I was at home in my warm bed.

Instead, I was standing in the driveway of a one story, brick, ranch-style home. It was a nice house, a finished room sitting over the garage, but I was too tired and angry to appreciate it right now. Instead, I turned back to Erica, waiting for instruction. Just because I was angry doesn't mean I had to be rude and storm off.

I was surprised to see her shutting the trunk, my backpack hanging off of a shoulder, the few bags I did bring hanging from her arms.

"I can carry those," I offered.

Erica waved a hand through the air as she started towards me, dismissing the idea. "Nope! Your only job is to go inside and get a good night's rest."

I let her pass, then followed her into the empty two car garage. A safety light flicked on automatically, illuminating the space around us, and I noted the muddy pawprints at the front. Did they own a dog? I had always wanted a dog.

As we entered the house into a short hallway, Erica spoke again. "Do you want a tour right now while it's just us, or do you want to just go to bed?"

I stifled a yawn, her question making my eyelids feel even heavier. "Um, just go to bed."

She led me through the dark house into what looked like a guest bedroom, flipping the light on. The room was empty, save for a dresser, nightstand, lamp, and a queen sized bed with soft blue covers.

She set my bags down on the bed, then turned to me, a gentle smile still turning up the corners of her lips. "I won't be here when you get up most likely, I have work, but my son Dakota should get back late tonight. My daughter Jessica is at a friend's house, so she might not get back until midday tomorrow. They can give you a tour tomorrow." She paused to gather her thoughts. "I don't want to bombard you with information or anything, so I'll go ahead and let you get to bed. But... if you need anything- and I mean anything- don't hesitate to ask. Good night, sweetie."

I forced a tired smile to my face as I whispered a small 'thank you' and waited until she left the room. The moment the door shut, though, I allowed myself to flop back on the bed, my lips twisted into a frown.

Erica already being so nice. So accepting. She didn't even know me and she was taking me in.

Just like my mom did.

The thought had tears forming in my eyes, but I didn't want to cry. I was tired of crying. I just wanted to go to sleep and forget about the world.

I moved my bags from the bed to the floor so I wouldn't accidentally kick them off. There were only three, including my backpack, as for the most part all I needed was clothes and books, but I didn't want them to fall nonetheless.

Not even bothering to change, I slipped under the blue comforter, curling up to sleep. And or the first time in two years, I had a nightmare.