I remained planted in place, staring at the hand, the light of the officer clearly illuminating it. The officer dropped Mother in the backseat; she had passed out from all the sobbing. He shut the door and peered through the car glass. He observed me as I remained motionless. He was confused and began to approach. Upon reaching me, he asked, "What's wrong?" I slowly raise my hand to point in the direction of my gaze. He retrieved his flashlight from the hood of the car, using it to slowly trace my outstretched arm to where it pointed.

  "It is Cindy," I muttered with certainty. It was then, seeing those painted nails, that I realised. I remembered seeing those exact colors on her nails after school.

  "MEDIC!" "I NEED MEDIC OVER HERE!" Mr. Robinson yelled out. Mother erupted from her slumber in shock and darted out of the car. I remained fixated as mother came and stood by me. She traced my gaze and snapped back at me. She tried to pull me away, attempting to divert my attention, but I didn't budge. My arm remained raised and stiff. Now I couldn't feel them. "What is this feeling in the pit of my stomach?" I wondered.

  Suddenly, my vision was blurry. Mother turned my head as I finally didn’t resist. "Mum". She was surprised. I had never called her that before, or perhaps it was because my eyes were drowned in tears. "It's Cindy, mum," I continued. Her eyes widened in disbelief. She was certain the other victim was Cindy, even though she wasn't allowed to see her.

  The medics finally arrive. They run past Mother and me in the direction my arm remained pointed in. They cleared the leaves to reveal a nude body underneath. She was bruised all over. It was, in fact Cindy. I snapped my neck to look for a split second, snapping once again to look away. I couldnt stomach seeing her in that state. Mother was now fighting several officers to get to Cindy.

  "She's alive!" A medic yelled. "There is a pulse!". "I can feel a pulse!" She reiterated.

  Everyone stood affixed. Everyone but the medic who carefully placed her body on the gurney, moving swiftly but carefully towards the waiting ambulance. In that moment i was hopeful, certain that my sweet sister would live. Mother ceased harassing the officers and headed for her car. I followed, without being instructed. The ambulance took off with my mother and I following closely behind.

  We waited impatiently right outside the surgical ward. The doors slid open to reveal the masked face of the doctor. Mother lept out of her seat almost into the doctor's arms.

  "She is stable now." He stated. I was suddenly flushed with relief. Mother ran through the door and then back after realising she didnt know which room to head for. "Room 29," he added. Mother then shifted to run through the sliding doors once more, almost hitting the door as it was only half opened. I walked into the surgical ward with my head lowered. 'Weirdo. “Why does that keep ringing in my head?” I pondered. I dragged my feet for what seemed like five minutes, then i was alerted by the sound of mother.

  I lifted my head and turned left to see the room number. "Room 29," I read aloud. I waited outside, unsure of what to do next as my eyes began to fill up with tears once more. The image of her bruised body was recurring. Finally, I opened the door and stepped in. Mother turned to look at me, her hands clasped tightly on Cindy's.

  Cindy lay motionless with her entire face bandaged, with only two spaces where her eyes sat. 'It will be fine, Franklin.' Mother reassured.

  In that moment, "W-Why d-d-did you le-leave me, fran-k-lin?" Cindy said as she momentarily gained consciousness.

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