Missing pieces

Prologue

She struggled with her purse and the grocery bags she was carrying. Transferring them to her left hand, she dug into her purse, her hand desperately searching for the key. Seconds later, her hand emerged triumphantly, key in tow. She spent a while longer unlocking the door. Stepping into the small apartment, she dropped the bags and her purse while switching on the light at the same time.

Flopping onto the sofa, she kicked off her three-inch heels and took off her trench coat, which she promptly folded and placed on the sofa beside her. “Home,” she thought bitterly.

She spent some time surveying her apartment. A state-of-the-art sound system had been installed recently; expensive pieces of art hung on the walls, or sat on specially made podiums. Custom made furniture framed the room, and the cold marble floor was beneath her feet. Seemingly unimpressed by her own décor, she got up and sighed as she made her way to the kitchen, picking up the grocery bags on her way.

Dumping the bags on the kitchen counter, she started sorting out her purchases. Opening the fridge, she placed the final item – a carton of milk – onto the shelf. She disposed of the plastic bags and kneaded her stiff neck while walking into her bedroom.

She tugged off her earrings and stripped, unceremoniously throwing her clothes into the nearby laundry basket. Walking slowly into the connecting bathroom, she then took a long, hot shower.

Stepping out of the shower, she felt marginally relaxed. She dried herself with a large towel and slipped into her favourite set of silk pyjamas. Staring into the large mirror in the bathroom, she saw the necklace hanging around her neck. Unconsciously, she brought her right hand up to her neck and touched the pendent.

Mum.

The silver chain was the same as any other necklace. The pendent, was another story altogether. It was a miniature swan. A piece made with great care, every detail etched into the small item. There were five diamonds embedded in the pendent. One served as the eye, while the other four were each placed at the tip of one wing feather. The white gold used was of the highest quality. And, this was the only one of such a design. It was her own unique possession, having been designed specially for her. 

She gripped the pendent tight in her hand and willed herself not to cry. Closing her eyes for a few moments, she calmed herself. When she reopened her eyes, they were red, but she would shed no tears. No, she had cried enough, it was time for her to be strong. She picked up her toothbrush shakily and brushed her teeth as quickly as possible. Already in control of her nerves, she rinsed her mouth, and washed her face. She completed the routine with a few swift strokes through her hair with her handy hairbrush.

Time for bed.

She went back out into the living room and made sure the front door was locked.

Walking back once again to the bedroom, she turned off the lights one by one, sending the apartment into darkness. Upon reaching her room, she switched on her bed lamp before turning off the bedroom and bathroom lights. She collapsed into the bed, pulled the comforter over herself and made herself comfortable. The book on her bedside table was picked up and flipped open to the place where she had stopped the night before.

She managed to finish two and a half chapters before admitting to herself that she was damn tired and ready to sleep. Placing the book back onto the small table, she turned off the bed lamp, turned onto her side and fell fast asleep.

Snuggling into her warm blanket, she sighed contentedly.

***

Where’s mummy? I want my mummy! The little girl demanded.

She’s dead, dear, an unfamiliar voice replied.

What’s dead? I don’t care! I want my mummy!

She was starting to feel confused and scared, who were all these people? Why didn’t they bring her to her mummy? The little girl had been woken up by the loud noises and gone downstairs, to find many strangers in the living room. With innocence untainted by age, she had simply demanded for her mummy and was disgruntled when they had no answers. No answers that made sense. She decided that her brother and sister were more important, so she ran up the stairs to their shared bedroom.

Two figures were sleeping in the large queen sized bed in the pale blue room. They slept on, oblivious to the commotion downstairs. Pouncing onto the bed, the girl scrambled over to the two motionless forms. She sat there. Not knowing what to do. She was old enough to know that something had happened to her parents, but she knew not what. A sense of responsibility overcame her and she decided there and then, that she would take care of her siblings. She would protect them.

***

No! You can’t take them away, she sobbed.

Hugging her younger siblings close to her, she tightened her hold on them, refusing to allow these people to take them away from her. They didn’t understand what was happening, but they clung onto their elder sister all the same.

Nonono! You can’t take them away from me. No!

She woke up screaming

A/n-

How’s that for a prologue? I guess it’s a bit short and I had a lot of trouble writing it. But, it is my first story! So please be gentle with me. I would immensely appreciate all and any reviews, no flames though. If something isn’t right with my story, tell me, and EXPLAIN it to me. Don’t just flame me. Okay, I’m hoping really hard that someone will review. =)