Her eyes were closed but it suddenly heated. The windows were open but the air was very humid, very thick. There was just darkness, then a flash of bright light hit her room, jolting her awake. Then the air became more visible and the light was moving, getting closer and brighter. A fire.
Kayleigh jumped out of her bed and screamed but no one heard her. Again, her father wasn't home and all she could think about is Keanneth, where is he ? Did he get out safely ? God, she hoped he did.
"Keanneth !?! Are you there ?!?" she screamed as she coughed in the smoke.
She covered her eyes as she tried to make it to her door, which was almost blocked by the fire. Where was Celia ?
She broke down the pieces of wood that was left from her door, she ran out screaming. She quickly checked to see if Keanneth was in his room, no one was there. Terrified, she ran into the living room.
"Keanneth ?!?! God! Where are you ?!?!"
No one responded.
Just as she was about to grab the phone, the bookcase beside it collapsed. The thick books that filled it dropped on the blonde and she struggled to get up. The fire was getting bigger, closer. Tears filled her eyes, caused by smoke and fear. She knew she wasn't going to make it to the door which was only a few feet away without getting burned. She had given up and broke down in tears. Thinking about her last words.
Then the door opened.
"Kayleigh! Kayleigh! stay with me! wake up! " someone yelled as they ran towards the dying girl.
"You can't die! Don't give up! We'll make it through this ! Just take my hand and-" his voice faded over the sound of the fire.
Then the weight lifted. No more books were on her back and she was no longer dying on the floor. She was in the arms of someone and was being carried out to a nearby ambulance. She struggled to wake up but mumbled a few words.
"Keanneth ? Where's Keanneth? My brother..."
The blurry vision smiled at her. "He's safe. He was at soccer practice. I thought I would've lost you. Thank god."
She smiled back. "You are ?"
He let out a small nervous laugh. "Please don't tell me that book hit you so hard you forgot your memory, It's me, Luke."
"Luke ? Hi."
"Hi there." he squeezed her hand. "How are you ?"
"Where am I ?"
"You're in the ambulance, the fire stopped. They're bringing you to the hospital now." he explained.
"Wait, so, so... you-"
"Yeah, I saved you." he grinned. "I kinda had to. I didn't wanna lose you and-"
She fluttered her eyes open and close.
He let out a small sigh. "Nevermind, I'll tell you later. Get some rest."
A few minutes later, Kayleigh woke up in a room full of white walls and almost thought she had died but it was just the hospital room. She glanced over to her right, there was another patient, an old lady. To her left, a small nightstand with fruits and magazines displayed on it. Oh, and Luke.
"You okay ?"
She winced. "Uh... yeah. Kinda dizzy though."
"The doctor said you'll be fine just need some rest. They umm... they wanna ask you something." he said, with a hint of fear in his voice.
Two men in suits entered her room, they greeted her with warm smiles. The taller one nodded at Luke to leave the room, he dragged his feet out the door. When he closed the door, the two men sat down beside her.
"Hello Kayleigh." the shorter one said.
"Umm... hello." she said, her voice shaking.
"No need to be afraid, we just came here to ask you a few questions."
She nodded.
"Good. Can you tell us what happened exactly ?"
She thought about it hard. She tried to figure out why they were asking her, did they think she started it ? Or maybe they thought it was Keanneth, her mind was blowing up with thoughts. She decided to tell them what she knew.
"I was sleeping, then I smelled smoke and I saw a bright light then I woke up. I saw the fire coming into my room and I called my brother, he didn't answer. I ran for the door and into the living room. The house is quite big that's why it took me some time. I dialed the emergency number and there was barely a ring and I think something upstairs fell, so the bookcase shaked and fell on me then I thought I was gonna die then Luke saved me and-"
"Okay, okay. Was there anyone in the house with you ?"
"No, I was alone. Keanneth was at soccer practice and Celia was buying groceries." she explained.
"Mmm-hmm." They took down notes. "Thank you Ms. Frauenfelder. We'll be in touch. Get well soon."
They took their things and left the room. Seconds later, Luke entered with a nervous look on his face.
"Are they gonna arrest you or something ?" he asked,
"No, Luke." She laughed. "They just asked me stuff."
Luke nodded and looked out the window.
"Luke ? Can you tell me what happened ?" Kayleigh asked.
He turned to face her with a sad look on his face, like he didn't want to reminisce it. "Sure."
He scooted over to be closer to her. "I was in my room and just playing guitar and whatever. I saw smoke pass by my window and looked outside." he moved his gaze to look down. " It was coming from your house. I thought you guys were grilling something then I saw something bright." he inhaled. "There was a fire. It came from upstairs. I panicked so I ran over and I couldn't even tell anybody because I am so stupid-"
She squeezed his hand. "You're not stupid."
He smiled at her. "Anyway, by the time I got over, I heard a loud crash and I just prayed nothing happened to you. I kinda wished you were out and that there was no one in the house but I wasn't sure so I had to check."
"When I opened the door, I immediately couldn't breathe so I thought it was a bad idea. I might get too weak to help. But then I saw you on the floor and, and-" he bit his lip.
"And ?"
'I thought you were dead." he sniffed. " I couldn't handle it. I ran over and I saw you breathing and I was so relieved."
Tears were starting to form in her eyes. "I almost gave up."
"But you didn't, I told you not to. I picked you up and carried you outside and when I got there, there were like a lot of people, you know, our neighbors. They were just watching. The ambulance was already there also so ... yeah."
She was choking while she held back her tears. Luke moved closer to her.
"It's okay to cry, I would too." he half-smiled.
"Luke, thank you." she barely said.
"You're alive.... thank you " he smiled. "Just act like nothing ever happened and I'll be okay because this is honestly the worst day ever."
She laughed.
Luke brought out her cellphone. "Here, you dropped this in the ambulance." he handed it to her.
"Ooh, I got a text." Kayleigh chimed as she looked at him.
"Well, it's not from me!"
As soon as she saw it, she felt her tears fall down her face almost immediately. Before she knew it, she was screaming.
From: Celia :)
Kayleigh, I'd be home sooner than I thought, couldn't find what I needed. :( On my way sweetie, :)
Her last text.
It had been her blow dryer. The one Kayleigh had used minutes before she got home. She didn't have her own so she always borrowed Celia's. She had forgotten to unplug it which was the cause of the fire. Celia wasn't supposed to be home til a few hours later, but she was. She had died in that very room and that broke Kayleigh. It broke her to pieces.
They found her body, severely burned and Kayleigh regretted not checking in Celia's room. The Frauenfelders couldn't bare to look at it. They held her funeral service days later. The whole family decided to speak at her funeral. Keanneth was first.
"I love my mom so much. I hate that she's gone but one day... I'll see her again in heaven and I'll make sure she never missed anything because I will tell her everything that happened while she was gone and even show her the pictures. I miss my mom already because she was the best mom in the whole entire universe. I wish she was here with me but the Lord is calling her so she has to go... I love you mom."
He stepped down the mic and kissed the glass on the coffin while saying. "You look beautiful like always, mom."
Kayleigh's turn. She could barely breathe because the tears were choking her and her whole face reddened and she felt so hurt. She held in her tears to finish her speech.
"Celia, was the best step mom there was out there. I remember when we were kids, she would always make me and my friends snacks. She was the only woman who treated my dad right and the only woman my dad loved. And she was the only mother I knew but she was the best. I loved her so much and she was the most beautiful woman I know. One day, I want to be like her but sadly, she isn't here to guide me anymore. Celia, I want to say that I love you and even though you're my stepmom, you never made me feel less of a daughter and I really wish I was your daughter. You were a great mother to me and my brother who misses you so much. I promise to love him and protect him and guide him for you. You will always be in our hearts, you will always be my mom. Always."
Just as they thought she was done, she stepped back up and looked at her sobbing dad and said into the microphone "Dad, I know how much you loved Celia and this is a tragic loss for you. I'm sorry that her death...her death..." Kayleigh cried." Was my fault... I hope you can forgive me dad, I'm so sorry..... Thank you for being a great husband and dad. I hope to be with someone as strong and caring as you one day. I want you to know, Dad that it's okay if you fall in love again. It's okay because Celia would want you to have love, and you would know what love is because she has shown it to you. I love you dad."
She got down and went to hug her dad. "I'm sorry I broke your heart, daddy"
He squeezed his little girl and wiped away her tears. "It's not your fault, my angel. I love you so so much. Celia and I love you so so much." He kissed her forehead. "Thank you for the beautiful speech, Celia would've loved it.
Whilst people were giving their condolences to her family, Kayleigh left the service, completely heartbroken.
She walked around the cemetery and when she looked back, a blond boy was right behind her.
"That was really nice."
She bursted into tears. " I killed her Luke, I killed my mom!"
And before she knew it she was crying into his chest. "Shh, shh, shh. You didn't kill her. You never hurt her. You gave her the opportunity to have a great, beautiful, funny, smart, and talented daughter. If she could see you now, she wouldn't want you to think that way."
"Luke, it hurts so bad, what do I do ?" she sniffed.
"You... just have to ... forgive yourself. It wasn't your fault. You'll be with her again"
"I will... I'll see her in heaven right ?"
"Yeah, you will...just don't go before me."
"Huh ? Why ?"
"Because, I said I don't wanna lose you."
"Okay, let's go together then."
"Lets."
She sat down on the freshly cut grass and curled up in frustration. Luke quickly sat beside her.
"Luke ? " the blond nodded.
"What is she thinking ?"
Luke looked up at the sky to think. "She's thinking: Damn, I have a great beautiful family and I can watch over them from here. Kevrin will be alright and he'll fall in love again. Keanneth will grow up to be an amazing soccer player and.... and Kayleigh... she loves you so much Kayleigh."
He turned his head to face her and look in her eyes. "I love you so much Kayleigh," he gave her a warm, tight hug. "You're my best friend."
Once again, she cried into his chest. "Love you too, you're my best friend."
And that is the tragic memory of a twelve-year old Kayleigh Frauenfelder.