I'm blind.

But before we get to that I guess we should clarify things. I know you hate me. You despise me for what I did to Zake with Connor. You're starting to feel that Zake's revenge was justified. Three words: I don't care. Simple as that. I'm not gonna explain myself to you why I decided to like a boy while I was getting tormented by my late boyfriend.

Typical statement for 2020, right there.

Back to being blind.

When I awoke, I couldn't recognize anything. Everything was tinged in hues of white. Slowly but surely they faded to reveal a dark hospital room.

The room was strangely dark in terms of colour. Browns and yellows. Four other beds occupied the room while a door separated us from what I could only assume was four more spaced beds.

Social distancing.

The other beds were empty. Small barred windows ran width wise near the ceiling letting in the only light. To my left at the end of the room was curtains. I'm assuming some sort of wash room. Cabinets lined on my right. A cart stood with my phone and clothing. I looked down to find I was in a hospital gown. Strangely I wasn't worried about someone undressing me.

An IV line ran to the pole with a portable monitor beeping absolutely nothing like you'd hear in America.

Only three other people occupied the room. My worried mother sat numbly in a plastic chair, bags evident under her eyes. My brother sat next to her playing on her phone. And the third person...

I take back everything I just said about the hues and brightness of the room. Shay was the exception. She seemed exhausted, though better than my mother. She looked completely healthy but still, it seemed like she had a lot on her mind.

But it was almost as if she was a source of light. She was glowing. Not like she was pregnant or whatever, but literally glowing even though slightly.

For an instant, the environment seemed hostile but in a blink of an eye, it disappeared.

She noticed me first. "You're awake."

My mother smiled and immediately pulled her mask down to kiss me. I hadn't realized it but I had also been asleep with a mask on.

"I should have never let you go there alone." She immediately broke into tears. "I'm a horrible mother."

I tried raising an arm but I was too groggy so I settled for words. "You couldn't have known. You aren't horrible. You stood with me throughout this mess."

She looked like she was about to say something but seemed to remember something. She looked at Shay and settled again in her chair.

"How's the others?" I slightly coughed. "How's... How's Connor?"

Shay waved her hand dismissively. "They're all alright. Each with his or her own injuries. Since our parents got involved and medical aids, you all ended up at different hospitals. Connor is fine, given the circumstances."

I exhaled, not realizing I was holding my breath. I looked again at Shay. "I see you're a-okay."

She tilted her head and, just for a moment, looked like... Like him. "Yeah. I got off lucky."

"At least we won't be needing luck anytime soon." I tried for a shrug but winced instead.

"That's why I'm here." Shay started. "I'm sure you're wondering that. It's not like we're friends or anything. I'm here to give you a warning."

"A warning?" My heart started racing and it seemed like the cold room had gotten a few degrees colder. "From what? We're finished."

"Yeah, no. Zake warned me. When he was about to kill you all he stopped because of me. You're welcome, by the way."

My temper flared. "If you think I'm gonna thank your stupid-"

"In any event," She continued undisturbed. ", he warned me about what's next. He said his family will start haunting you."

A chill sank through my body. I collapsed on the bed, my heart racing so fast I was surprised the heart monitor wasn't beeping it's wires off.

"How much worse?" My mother asked the question I couldn't.

Shay shrugged. "I'm not sure. From what I can tell his family is more traditional in the sense of paranormal activity. I'm not sure if the haunting will come close or even be of the same nature up to this point.

"But I had to warn you. Especially you, Toni. As I understand Zake's family knew your mother quite well." My mother looked away. "Most probably it'll be centered around you."

"Again." I laughed bitterly.

"Again." She repeated.

To be continued...