Chapter 10 Ominous beginning.

I saw Sarah loosely letting go of her phone, as her chest expanded. She looked shocked and frightened. The phone landed in a dull crash as I supported Sarah from falling, everything had happened in a slow-motion yet so instantaneously.

I was alarmed as Sarah began breathing so slowly yet heavily, I could see her chest expand and contract yet her breathing was muffled. What happened? What was the matter? I looked at her, lying dead-like in my arms as I tried calling her back to sense, into this world she had abhorred earlier. I needed her.

"Sarah... Sarah?" My soft taps on her cheeks proved useless as Sarah just stared at me, her lips twitching as a tear rolled down the side of her face.

I grew worried as I quickly flung her on my back, I managed by getting her to sit on the couch while bending so low that she would be on a level with my back, but I still had no strength to toss her like a 10kg sack, I was not a Samson but a Romeo.

The neighbourhood was tight-lipped at the hour as I managed to scurry out into the road with Sarah slipping down my back. She was heavy and I was sweaty. Damn this street, we lived 3 miles away from town, in one of the so-called impoverished locales, and even a personal car was hard to come by.

A lady taking her bitch for a walk even jumped to the side of the road at my condition, I didn't bother explaining or stopping to ask for help, but I prayed that I would make it on time. I was going to drop Sarah, for a break when a car slowed down and honked. I turned around and saw the old battered pickup slow down to a stop as a medium-aged man waved for me to stop.

"Any problem boy?" He shouted as he stepped out of his motor and approached. I was tired and edgy to the point I couldn't respond but nod my head as I let the man help me take Sarah down my back.

"She had a heart attack," I explained briefly as the man volunteered to drive us to the County Hospital. I felt relieved as we laid Sarah at the back, with me to provide shade as the good Samaritan hit the gas and sped his old pick-up that blew clouds of smoke behind in a flash.

I still couldn't figure out what had caused such an abominable scene as the nurses came to take Sarah away, pumping oxygen into her.

I thanked the man for the ride as I promised to send a gratitude to him through his bank account but he declined and just told me to stay safe and take care of my sister.

"Feel free to call me any day. I live down the country, in the ranges." He left dropping a card into my hand. It was such a serendipitous meeting with him.

After waiting an hour without positivity, I had to borrow a phone from the receptionist to call Aunty Ruth. I had left my phone idle on my bed, while Sarah's had just died. I attempted to make a call to Aunty Ruth but all got diverted to her voicemail. I grew sick, and my stomach twirled in anxiety. Where was Aunty? What was happening?

This was the first time in my life that I grew nervous, like dead troubled.

Sarah was in the ICU, under OXP life support as her sudden shock had caused a heart attack. I had no idea when she would be up or open her eyes again, as I was advised to go back home and relax. I had permission to check in any time I wished, but after getting some rest.

"She will be just fine." A nurse consulted me, she requested Aunty's contact and mine, just in case something stirred up.

I filled out a form at the desk and left the hospital in a pathetic state, walking all the way home as loads of questions filled my mind. I prayed for Aunty Ruth to come back home early, my heart was empty.

After a couple of hours, my trek came to an end as I pushed past the door to my aunt's house, which I had left unlocked.

I felt fear as I began a search, making sure that the house was free from burglars or ghosts in the dark corners. I didn't even wish to go upstairs and check the rooms while shutting the window, this house was so huge and freaky with me all alone.

I made my search hurriedly, checking under the bed and wardrobes, shutting and locking the doors from outside after every confirmation until I cleared all rooms upstairs and decided to take only my duvet downstairs and spend the night on the couch. I felt bored, and I was about to switch on the TV when a knock at the door shook my nerves.

"Who is it!" I shouted after the knock continued thrice.

"Lisa!"

I sighed as I walked fast to open the door, it was surely Lisa.

"What took you so long? Gosh! You look so sickly!" Lisa was quick to notice as she stormed into the living room asking where Sarah was.

"She is in the hospital," I explained to Lisa, who grew shocked and immediately decided to leave for the hospital. It was a relief to my worries that Sarah had someone to look after her but fear crippled my spine again as I realised that I was alone again.

I held my old version of the Android cartoon phone in my hand as I powered it on. I had to keep trying to get in contact with Aunty Ruth, she was the only person on my mind at the hour. I had no family here, and I knew nothing about my past, only that my parents died when I was young, and Aunty Ruth lives far from her homeland, away from her relatives. We had never, or let me put it this way. I had never met any other relative other than Sarah and her mother.

The phone had the whole time on earth to power on as the network accepted. I was impatient to dial Aunty Ruth's number when an anonymous number popped up. I was hesitant at first, doubting the caller, but curiosity killed the cat as I pressed the green button to receive.

"Hello, August."

I froze as the husky voice continued. "I know you are all alone. Your aunt just had an accident and her body has been sent to the city mortuary. I hope you will be able to recognise her once you get there."

The phone hung up immediately before I got to ask who it was or anything. My fear doubled as I thought of calling the police, or was this a prank? I had to visit the mortuary.

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