It's dark as a boy with short choppy brown hair opens his eyes. He sees nothing. Eyes wide he looks around but he sees only blackness; a void that had no end though, he could not tell if he was even in a place. Fear went through the little boy as he continued to look for any shred of light, anything to tell him where he was. He wanted so badly to cry out for help but no words came from his mouth, it was as if his mouth was glued shut. The boy let out a mumble as he tried to yell for help but still, nothing came out. He was afraid this was real though he did remember going to sleep.
Then came a small shred of light from under a door. It illuminated the room in a dim light, though the room was not a room rather a hall. The hall stretched a few yard's till at the end stood a large door. One could tell the door was old as, in the dim light, you could see paint chipping away revealing a lighter wood under it. The boy tried to call for help as he took a step towards the door but still, nothing came out. His mouth opened and the little boy let out a sigh of relief. He could open his mouth! Looking around he saw a mirror, the light bouncing off of it creating glare that stung his eyes.
Walking over with small careful steps he looked at himself in shock. There he was a little boy rather than an 18-year-old man. The boy reached for his face and let out a gasp. His face was smooth, much like a child's when their young and his hazel eyes shown with the innocence he has long since forgotten. Confused he looked down at his hands, finding them small rather than large and boney. He had no idea what was going on and instead of asking questions he turned from the mirror and headed toward the door.
As he came close to the door the boy could hear voices; a loud male voice and a quiet female voice. One was trying to shoosh the other while the other just got louder. Though he could not tell what they were saying, he knew it was an argument. A creek from behind caused him to jump and spin around. More shock as he now saw his little sister as not a 16-year-old but what looked to be 6. Her blond hair was darker and hung down to her mid back while her innocent eyes held curiosity. His heart broke seeing her like this, remembering what their life used to be like before their mother left.
"What's going on Asher?" Charlotte asked her older brother her head tilting slightly. She clutched a teddy bear close to her as squeak came from behind her. They both looked behind her to see their little brother Mike. His dirty blonde hair and hazel eyes looked the same as the last time they saw him. Asher shook his head trying to see if he could wake up but alas nothing happened.
"Mama and dada fighting?" His squeaky voice held worry and curiosity as the little toddler looked up at his older brother.
Asher opened his mouth but had no idea what to say. Their parents fighting? They never fought except for the night their mother left with Mike. Realization passed through him as he remembered this scene. This was a memory of when his mother left him and his sister behind with their father. Tears came to his eyes but did not fall. He could remember everything very clearly. He had not cried one single tear but, seeing all this again brought pain to his heart. Why did she leave them? He once had so many questions but, now he knew the answer to some. Asher did not know why she left or why they fought but he did know she and her brother died in a plane crash on their way to his grandmothers.
He looked upon his siblings not saying a word; he didn't know what to say. How could he explain the situation to a 6 and 3-year-old? Would they even understand? Asher, still looking at his siblings, jumped as a creek came from behind and more light flooded the hall. Turning slowly he gasped, sorrow filling his heart. Standing in front of him was his long since dead mother. Her beautiful blonde hair and soft blue eyes were the same as the day he last saw her. "Asher, Charlotte, Mikey, what are you doing out of bed?" Her voice was soft and full of warmth.
Asher stared at his mother completely stunned and why wouldn't he be. Here his mother was and he couldn't even speak a single word. "Did we wake you?" She asked concerned.
Behind her Asher could see his father, looking at his wife with anger. Asher looked up at his mom and finally said, "I heard yelling so I came to see if everything was okay." His mother looked shocked and he could understand why; her kid was so concerned but, all she was doing was arguing with their father.
"Oh, sweetie, there's no need to worry nothing's wrong. How about you put Charlotte and Mikey to bed? I'll be up in one moment." Asher's mother said turning back to their father and closing the door. Taking that as his cue to leave Asher took his sisters and brothers hand and guided them upstairs. First to go to bed was Mike and as the little one lay down Asher kissed his head and lightly pulled Charlotte to her room.
Asher tucked Charlotte into bed and as he's leaving he hears her squeaky voice ask, "Asher, do you think mommy and daddy were arguing?"
Shock passed through his face his face before he lied saying, "I'm sure they were just talking. You know dad can get loud sometimes." His sister nodded rolling over so her back was facing him. Leaving Asher shut the door softly before heading to his room but as he entered he heard a loud smack and a thud from downstairs. Curious he walked down the steps to see his mother on the floor, his father standing over her. Anger filled him as he ran to help his mother though this just caused his father to turn to him. As his father raised his hand Asher knew what was coming. The hand swung down -