Sean awoke breathless, his
body covered with tiny beads of sweat.
It was pointless to regain sleep now.
He had lost this battle, falling asleep meant he would be haunted once
again by the overpowering nightmare that had replaced his insomnia. The nightmares began two years ago after
both his parents had been lost at sea. Somehow
it was always the same he was always drowning in slow motion as if in a
movie. A painful sting on his lungs and
the taste of saltwater as it entered his throat. Then blood red eyes stare back at him – yet somehow
he always escaped the horrid dream by waking up to his reality.
Two years ago – his father
set his last sail accompanied by his Mother.
She had insisted on going with him.
Assuring everyone that Sean and Alyssa the oldest of her kids would take
care of things while they were gone. It
was pointless she set her mind to do something it was bound to happen.
“The kids will be
fine. They will go to school and Sean
will look after them if we are late.
He's old enough you know” The gentle voice of his Mother was livid in
his mind.
That night was cold and
cruel. The chilling wind made an ominous
sound as it entered the front windows. Sitting by a fire, worried and scared
Sean understood what had to be done. His
sisters Alyssa and Amanda, the twins Amy and Andrew all awaited Sean’s final decision.
Amy started crying
holding on to her sisters while Andrew placed a hand on Sean’s shoulder. Assuring him that he was with him no matter
what. They were alone, Orphans. It was up to them to stay together and beat
all the odds life was about to throw at them.
This was their last night as children.
“I know this is hard to
take in, but we have to face reality. If
Mom and Dad are not back by now – something must have happened to them” Sean
said in a cold yet sour tone.
“How could you say that
Sean, what if they get home tomorrow?” It was Amy sobbing clearly in appalled.
“Amy you know Dad would
never stay a night at sea knowing we are alone in this house. Something did happen and it can’t be good”
Andrew said a bit agitated at his sister.
“Don’t you have feelings
at all?” Alyssa scowled at both
boys. “This is Mom and Dad we are
talking about, do you know how long he has been a sailor?” She was appalled and her voice was as sharp
as a knife.
The consternation in that
room was clearly escalating slowly. The
girls were perched conjointly on the sofa while the boys paced back and forth.
Sobs and tears followed by arguments without resolution. It went on and on for hours until they all
gave in to sleep.
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