Chapter 17

The more I live, the more I learn; the more I learn, the more I realise the less I know. Each step I take, each page I turn, each mile I travel only means the more I have to go. What’s wrong with wanting more? If you can fly, then soar; With all there is, why settle for just a piece of sky? Mama, If you can hear me somehow, I’ll make you proud, you’ll see. The journey you began in me will set my spirit free.

Once again my sky was bright blue again. Sorry if these metaphors are a bit too much of a good thing. I’m just so happy again that Joyce is mine again once more. We were all together, like a little family. Our family felt peaceful again, and we daydreamed about life in the colonies.

Later, much later, we thought we might have heard footsteps on the gravel in front of the house. But at the time none of us paid any attention to it. Almost simultaneously, someone smashed in the windows behind the couch and the window on the left side of the house. Two seconds later I heard the sound of an automatic rifle. Someone yelled, “DOWN!” I yanked Joyce, who was beside me, forcefully to the ground. I think we were all screaming. My heart was pounding hard and fast in my chest. A mix of heat from fear and cold from shock. Tiny glass shards stung as they landed on my bare skin. The air filled with the sound of gunfire, completely drowning out our terrified cries.

I wish I could say I was concerned about anyone else, but the truth was I was only busy with myself. I was going to die at any moment now. I wish I had thought noble thoughts at that moment. I was only thinking about how to crawl tighter to the couch so I would survive.

The cacophony of sound from multiple police sirens clashing together sounded like a beautiful song. The noise grew until the guns abruptly stopped. When I heard breaking glass, I initially assumed it was just a vase or similar object falling. Until the nauseating scent of petrol reached me. Even more glass shattering. The sound and heat of fire. Now more sirens wailed, each singing a different tune, growing in intensity.

We had to get out of here. Thank God, I saw several naked bodies, reddened by the flames, moving toward the door. I sensed Joyce rather than saw her. Smoke made the room get dark fast. I suddenly realised I should stay low to survive. I was in pain all over, crawling on my bare legs across the glass to get outside. I caught a glimpse of wheelchair wheels. Drew! Where was he? Had he made it? The screeching tires of a car sped away. Other screeching tires as cars braked abruptly. The heat from the fire. The house is burning!

As I emerged, our usually quiet street was filling with cop cars. Rotating blue lights filled the darkness, casting a fascinating blue hue on the street’s houses. What I didn’t see was the red of a fire engine. Were they still on their coffee break?

‘Oh, what’s that? An alarm? Well, let’s have a cup of coffee first, and then we’ll have a look. Probably false anyway.’