29.10.2020 Views

Divided

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

And the Curse Begins

When I was seven years old, I watched my aunt die.

No, it was more than that—I felt her leave this world.

Our hands connected—something so simple—yet instantly, I was no longer me…

A staccato beep followed by a faint gasp created a haunting tempo. The overpowering

fragrance of disinfectant lingered in the air. And when my eyelashes parted, a strenuous feat,

the room blurred before it came back into focus. White paper-thin fabric rose and fell gradually,

igniting a fire within my chest with every inhalation. And bright rays, blindingly so, remained

trapped behind closed blinds. Intense beams crept through slits to rest in horizontal lines across

my white sheets while tears burned the edges of my sight.

Just let me see the sun, came the silent beg. A tear seeped from the corner of my eye before

another followed its path, my chin wobbling around that invasive tube that paralyzed my vocal

cords.

And across the room, a television remained suspended in the corner, its reflection… mirroring

someone I didn’t recognize. Her brown skin was dull, faded of any warmth, stretched over bone.

Her head, full of countless little patches, patches where long black hair had thinned to limp

strands, strands that exposed more than it covered. She— I was so thin.

And everything just felt so heavy, even the power to keep my eyelids open was weakening.

Yet, I needed to see— I needed to see her one last time.

I couldn’t turn my head; the rise and fall of my chest was difficult enough. But through the

corner of my eye, I could see my Natasha. Her wild curls tousled, her small legs tucked under her

pink tutu, her chubby face resting on my husband’s arm. The room was fading, the weight upon

me was growing heavier, and still with my last ounce of strength I reached out for them. My

hand extended until I could see them no more.

3 | P a g e

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!