LEAH

"Daddy, how do I find peace in water?"

"It's simple, clear your mind and become one with the water"

    I opened my eyes slowly but the bright light made me shut it immediately. I groaned and slowly sat up. I took in the familiar surroundings of the hospital and saw a very familiar man standing at the foot of the bed.

   "Hi doc" I said but my voice came out hoarse. He just shook his head and gave me a small smile.

   "Its been two years, Leah" Doctor Barnes said and I grimaced.

    "Missing a little checkup won't cause any harm, will it?" I asked and he shook his head.

    "I'm pretty sure your mother said it's not optional" he said, gently removing the plaster on my head and replacing it with a bandaid.

    "Those checkups make me stay here for almost a week. I'm sure that's not how checkups work" I complained finding the whole thing fishy but he shook his head.

    "How's your mum? She hasn't been answering her phone" He asked  nonchalantly but even the dumbest man knew he was very much interested. Thank goodness she hasn't answered her call,he would've told her I haven't been here in ages.

    "I'll make sure she does if you let me off this once" I pleaded and he sighed.

   "But you'll come later for the checkup, right? It's really important" he said and I nodded. As long as there isn't a day called later.  "Take some pain killers when you get home. You might feel dizzy though" he said before leaving.

****
    I took my time to walk back home and saw my mom sitting in the porch stairs. As I saw her, flashes of what happened earlier came back to me and I stopped in my tracks. It's not her fault, it's not her fault... But I couldn't help but blame her. She looked up from her hands and saw me.

    "Leah.. Mrs Travis said she took you to the hospital. I was about to head to the hospital" clearly.. I almost rolled my eyes at her excuse.

  "I'm fine" I replied and she walked towards me and tried to place her hand on my cheek but I flinched backwards.

   "I'm so sorry. He said he was going to kick us out.. I couldn't bear to think of us living in the street so I had to.."

   "Had to what?!" I almost yelled feeling anger well up in me. "You gave him everything. I worked my ass off for years only for you to give it all to him" I don't and she stepped back.

   "I did it for us Leah" She said and I scoffed.

   "I rather live on the streets than stay here. You know what? I'm done with everything, I'm done with trying to make things better because it'll never get better" I said before backing away from my sobbing mother. I slowly jogged and my jogging turned into full blown run.

  My legs carried me to an uncompleted bridge at the end of town. The sky was pitch black and the only source of light was from the dim streetlight. Tears flowed uncontrollably down my cheeks as I stood at the edge staring at the river below.

I'm done with everything.. I just can't...

~Korisa