I open my mouth, but only a strangled sound comes out as I gurgle on the water filling my throat.
“Preston! Say something.”
Stay away.
Stay the fuck away from me.
I look up and I can almost see them, the stars amongst which I used to float and float.
The stars I used to see Mom’s and Dad’s faces on, hoping they’d come and get me.
Help, Mommy.
Help me, Daddy.
Help.
It hurts.
Help.
It reallyhurts.
Help.
I can’t breathe.
Someone please help me breathe.
I want…to breathe.
“Mon trésor(my treasure)…”
I gasp on water as Mom stands in front of the car in her white nightgown, tears sliding down her cheeks. She’s in the dark, my mom, barely visible within the shadows.
With a shaky finger, I flip open the lighter so I can see her better.
It falls from my hand, and a small fire surrounds me, its heat licking my cheeks.
“Mom, I’m here. Mom…”
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, reaching her hand toward me. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay… I can live with you, Mom. Dad doesn’t love me, so we can love each other…”
Her tears turn into blood, dripping over her collarbones, soaking her nightgown in red.
“Mom…”
“If you hadn’t been born, I wouldn’t have died.”
“Mom…?”
Her face turns solid red, and I scream as I hit the gas. “Mom!”
“Preston!”
My head whips to the side, my vision blurry as harsh lights blind me.
