Only the chirping sounds of morning birds can be heard.
I stared at them. To my parents and their eyes, which were puffy and red from all the crying.
My head turned to my mother, her lips were trembling after my father said those words.
"After… Elise's death."
His words rebounded in my mind again and again.
Elise is dead.
The world around me dulled down. I stumbled on my feet, gripping the doorknob for support.
I didn't remember her dying. I always remembered her living, smiling, arguing, teasing, and smiling all the time.
"How…?"
My voice came out raspy, as if it belonged to someone else.
In response to my question, my parents exchanged looks. My mother appeared to be attempting to piece together a response. My father's lips parted, but no words came out first.
"Zane…" he said carefully, almost as if afraid his voice might break me. "Why… why are you asking this?"
I didn't answer.
