I gasped, my hand instinctively going for my throat... no blood, not that I expected any 'Damn...' I checked the time on my watch, half past four in the morning "On a Sunday to boot..." I sighed bitterly, today wasn't as bad as most, but that didn't mean I was left completely unaffected.

I'd been through this so many times that I developed some degree of resistance as much as one could from dying, repeatedly at that. This time it was a quick one to the throat, last time it was two stabs to the chest, and the time before that... well, let's just say that me not waking up yelling and screaming, was quite the achievement. 

Things had gotten so bad, that I could no longer tell the difference between dream and reality.

So if you asked me to go into detail, of the events that happened that night, then all I'd be able to tell you is... I don't know or, I wasn't sure anymore. 

Now, what the hell was I blabbering on about?? Well ever since... then, her heartbroken voice had been plaguing my mind, day in and day out.  

And then there were the dreams, which usually ended with me getting killed, by her 'You betrayed me... You betrayed me... You betrayed me!!' her voice echoed, scenes of us (Sandra and me) in the car flashed through my mind.

Sandra's impulsive kiss, me losing control...

---

"How dare you!!" I suddenly caught sight of someone standing by the car, looking at us with tear ridden eyes "I gave up everything for you!!" 

"Alish-" I called out, but a pair of hands suddenly wrapped around my neck, causing my words to choke at the throat, I glanced back at Sandra in utter shock, her grip tightened.  

"I trusted you!!" her strength somehow overwhelmed my own "I've told you everything... everything!!" she'd cut off my air supply entirely, I gasped and struggled, but my body was already losing strength.

---

"Wh-" the stinging pain from my head hitting the bedpost, brought me to my senses. I looked around and found that I was back in my room 'Must've dozed off...' I checked the time and found that it had hardly been fifteen minutes since last I'd woken up.

"Don't wanna go through that again today..." I reluctantly got to my feet and walked towards the bathroom, hoping that a hot shower would help clear my thoughts (not likely)

----------------------------------------

I flopped on grass exhausted, while my grinning father sat next to me, we were currently in the backyard "You've gotten stronger..." he commented as the slight breeze, ruffled his disheveled black hair, a trait I inherited from him, though my hair was brown like my mother's. 

"That's what you said the last time..." I grumbled, staring up at the early morning sky. 

I'd been going through my morning routine, exercising and going through my stances, when my father challenged me to a spar. We'd done so several times these past few weeks, though not very often, seeing as it displeased my mother. 

"You haven't been yourself lately..." I stiffened at his comment but pretended as if I hadn't heard "Fine, fine... I won't pry, you're already at an age where you can figure things out for yourself and I'm proud of you, especially after seeing you juggle both your job, while keeping your grades up" he sighed, getting back to his feet.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"You've grown, but that doesn't mean you can't turn to me, or your mother..." he raked a hand through his hair, another habit that I'd picked up from him "Damn, I'm no good with this mushy stuff" he grinned sheepishly "Anyway I was thinking of giving the car a tune-up, wouldn't mind some help, if you've got the tim–"  

"Sure, no problem!!" I agreed immediately, he nodded and the two of us made our way back to the house to freshen up. 

We set to work shortly after breakfast and spend most of the day in the garage, only taking a short break for lunch. 

I called and told Charlie that I wouldn't be able to come in today, apologizing and assuring that I'd make up for it "Bout time you took a break..." his comment surprised me "Get some rest" he gruffly stated before cutting the call. 

'And here I thought I was hiding it quite well...' I grinned bitterly, making my way back to the garage, my mother and sister were out grocery shopping.

We were having a celebratory dinner of sorts, my father had just landed himself a promotion while both my sister and me, had performed quite well in our reviews, with Nyssa even scoring the highest in her form.

"Everything okay at work??" my father asked, I nodded "Charlie's cool with it..."

"Alright, let's get to it then... pass me that spanner would you??" we had long since finished tuning up the car, and were now working on the old bike my Dad had used during his younger days (not that he was old now) 

Both of us worked in silence, quite forgetting the time "About time you got it running again..." came my mother's voice, it wasn't until then that I noticed her car parked down the drive, my sister just getting out of the driver's seat.

"It was sad, seeing it left unused in a corner..." Mom continued, giving my Dad a glance I couldn't quite understand. 

My father gave her one of his signature sloppy grins "I thought it might be a nice birthday gift for John..." his comment seemed to surprise her, not to mention me.

I knew that the bike meant a lot to him, even though he no longer used it anymore "Dad... I'm happy and all but–" 

"You need it more than me son..." he cut in "Besides, I've already had my share of adventures with it, it's your turn now" he gave my mother a knowing glance, which for some reason, caused her to blush. 

"Well... I'll better start making our dinner" she commented and I watched with widened eyes, as she grabbed a few grocery bags from the car, and quickly made her way into the house.

This prompted a laugh from my father, while my sister and I shared a collective grin.  

"You've been busy..." Nyssa commented, walking up next to me and surveying our handy work, the bike had been dismantled and we'd scraped off most of the rust as well, it was largely dust free since Dad regularly cleaned it (another testament to how important it was to him)

The few parts that needed replacing had already been ordered and would be arriving the day after "All she needs now, is a new coat of paint..." Dad grinned as he asked me "I'm guessing you want it black??" 

"Wait Da–" 

"Of course he does!!" Nyssa confirmed, I sent her a glare, she stuck her tongue out at me "Anyway, I'd better help out..." she grabbed the rest of the grocery bags, from the car and walked in after our Mom, her long black hair billowing in her wake. 

"I think that's her way of saying she likes the watch you got her..." my Dad deduced.

"I sorta regret it now" I grumbled.

"Now now... Don't be like that" my father cracked a smile. 

We were a family that didn't like too much fuss, I'd gotten my sister a new watch with my first week's salary, which she'd accepted with a simple 'thank you' and then we went right back to our old routine, no excessive displays of emotions, no extra words spoken. 

"Well... I think it's best if we stop for the day" my Dad continued "We'll reassemble her tomorrow, once all the parts arrive" 

"Cool..." I agreed "Plus, I've worked up quite the appetite!!" 

Dad laughed "You and me both" 

After properly arranging the parts we left the garage, closing it behind us, and went to clean ourselves before dinner. 

It was odd how a seemingly typical Sunday, spent with my family had helped me so much. I felt better than I ever had in the past week, and my mood was quite cheerful, happy even. 

I knew I had to figure things out in the future, and eventually have to face the consequences of my actions as well.

But for now, I wanted to enjoy a long shower, followed by what would definitely be a scrumptious dinner 'And hopefully, finish the day by catching up on some sleep!!'

Life was never simple, reborn or not, all I could do now was figure things out and live with the choices thereon (granted, I already knew the better ones to make)

But that didn't mean I was all knowing, I was very limited, and was well aware of the fact...