It all happened in a flash, but I still recall that hand. It was not your average hand - or even a prosthetic one. I had never seen a decaying hand except on television. It had all four fingers and one thumb and was gray. Flesh was poking out because the skin was peeling off. Had I known that the hand - or whoever - was hiding behind the stairs, I would have screamed and gagged.

But I did not get the chance to scream or gag because I was falling. Falling off the stairs and meeting the floor. A gasp escaped my mouth as the smelly hand wrapped its thumb and fingers around my ankle. I suddenly lost my balance and fell forward. The white mouse jumped out of my hands and landed safely on a nearby table.

Lucky mouse.

The hand let go and vanished underneath the stairs. It left me vulnerable. I assumed that I would die or break some bones, but thank gosh that I was okay. Just some bruises and scratches.

As soon as I fell on my stomach, my family and Gabriel came to the rescue. My parents made it first and got on their knees. They were concerned for me. The looks on their faces told me so. Mom was so concerned that she wanted to bring me to the hospital.

"I am fine, Mom. Really," I tried reassuring her. "There is no need to go to the hospital."

The reason why I did not - and still do not - want to go is because I am scared of the hospital. Makes me soooo uncomfortable. I know that they are supposed to assist you, but after being in one for days with a missing arm and leg, I do not want to go through it again. Lying in a hospital bed. Freezing my butt off. I swear that I would lose my butt. Hooked up to machinery and wearing an oxygen mask.

The worst part is when the doctors tell you to get some rest. How can I rest when I am chilly and have needles in my skin?! If you want me to rest, take me home!

I clung on my mom as she helped me up. She asked if I had broken any bones. I shook my head and said that I just wanted to sit. I gazed up at the top of the staircase and saw Adalee and Gabriel.

"Allison," Adalee said. She hurried down the stairs and almost tripped.

"Be careful, honey," Mom said. "We do not want you to break a bone either."

"Allison," Adalee repeated my name. Sounded like that she was out of breath. "You broke a bone? You broke a bone?!" She reached the bottom of the stairs. "Oh my!" She hopped up and down. "Which one did you break? I wanna see!"

"I cannot show you because I did not break my bones," I said with a hint of annoyance in my voice. "I am okay and would like to sit if you do not mind."

"Come on," Dad said. "But you have to be more careful next time." He gently pushed me to the couch. "We are just relieved that you are alright. Your fall gave us such a scare. It almost gave your mother a heart attack."

"I heard that," Mom commented.

I could not help but giggle.

I wanted to tell my family and Gabriel about the hand, but decided not to. They would never believe me. I just promised that I would be careful and laid back on said couch. I dangled my prosthetic arm over the couch and let out a whoosh of air.

"Why me?" I mumbled.

"Allison?"

I glanced up and saw Gabriel. He was standing behind the couch and smiling at me. I smiled back and clasped my hands in my lap.

"I had a feeling that you would show up," I said.

Gabriel walked around the couch and sat next to me. "I came to see how you are holding up."

"I am hanging in there. I just pray that I do not have to visit the hospital."

"Allison?"

"Yes?"

"I have to tell you something important."