Reality

A small chatty voice muffled into my ears, making me furrow my brows.

Someone was too noisy.

I tried to open my eyes to see who was disturbing my sleep. I blinked many times but the light was too bright; my eyes had a hard time adjusting.

"Max, are you awake? Can you hear me?" I followed the source of the voice, though my head felt hefty. I squinted to see clearly.

As the vision started to get clearer, a girl with long and slightly curled burgundy hair was plastering her bitter-sweet smile at me. Her caramel eyes glittered in happiness but ironically reflected some sadness.

"Juliet?" I mumbled. My legs were a little heavy, yet I tried to move my upper body up. "What brought you back? Are you not supposed to be in Canada? Since when did you arrive?" I asked continuously.

"I arrived two days ago. I almost had a heart attack upon hearing the news from Lex. I was worried, so I begged my mom to see you." Something was wrong judging by the expression on her face.

"What news? Was it that bad that you needed to come in such a rush?"

"Y-you don't remember?" She stammered a bit, her voice was full of suspicions.

My heart throbbed for a second, there was an emotion, too strong; it was trying to take over, but I didn't let it overpower me.

The door opened and an average framed guy with a  well-developed chest and shoulders, wearing a hood on his head, came rushing in.

"Max? You okay now? Is something aching?" It was Lexter, my only guy friend who was always missing. I stared at him, not quite sure if I knew what he was talking about.

"Lex, I don't think she can remember what happened," Juliet said. Her eyes were not leaving mine.

I looked at the two of them, perplexed as to what they were talking about. I searched for some memories in my head, but an electric shock ran through my brain which caused me to feel dizzy. I grabbed my head and I noticed a dextrose injected in my hand.

"Just take your rest, Max, the doctor will be here anytime soon," Lex said.

"A doctor?" I ran my eyes through the white room and noticed a familiar veranda from the wide window adjacent to my bed. Then, I realized I was in our private house quite far from the city. "What will a doctor do here?"

I took off the blanket and tried to stand, but I had a hard time pulling my lower body.

"What happened to my legs? I can't move it." I asked hysterically. "Juliet, why can't I move my legs?" My chest started to pound loudly and rapidly as I tried to change the positions of my legs. My attempts were futile, nervousness and fear prevailed in my mind. I didn't know what to do.

"I-I'm not sure why, Max," she said worriedly.

"Where is dad?" I asked but they didn't answer. They just exchanged glances. "Where's mom? Where's my phone? I'll call her." I shifted my head and looked for my bag, then someone pushed the door open. My eyes glittered in hope upon recognizing a familiar man with a big and tall body.

"Dad?" I mumbled.

"How are you feeling?" he asked as he walked towards me. I saw Juliet muttered something to him.

He approached closer and I recognized him. "U-uncle Danny? W-where is dad?" I asked. Uncle was my father's elder brother, they were quite identical except that he appeared more mature than my dad. With his busy life, he had forgotten how to smile.

"Can't you remember anything?" he asked. I shook off my head as an answer.

"Uncle, I'm not certain about what I should be remembering right now."

"Max, you were comatose for more than a week. I've run some tests on you. Gladly, the results are fine. Based on the CT scan, you don't have any fractures in your head."

"If that's so, why can't she remember what happened a week ago?" Juliet inquired.

"The probable reason she can't remember anything is a temporary memory loss, or she might also be driven by motivated forgetting." The private doctor next to uncle answered.

"I don't understand, why would I experience memory loss? Where are my parents?"

"Max, it'll be best if you don't ask for it yet," Lex suggested.

"No. You're hiding something from me. I'll know it soon so why not tell it to me now?" I demanded though part of me didn't want to push for it.

"Max... " Sadness overpowered uncle's voice, I didn't think I would like whatever he was going to spill. "They're gone," he mumbled softly. For a second, I felt like I was a lemon cut in two.

"They are dead," he added.

Three words. Just three words and I was like deliberately being squeezed to death.

"That's not a good joke." My heart stopped palpitating for a while. I pleaded for a response, but they all shifted their eyes away from me.

"But how did that happen-" I stopped as memories started to bring me back to the scene I wished had never happened. I got glued to my bed.

It can't be!

"Max, be strong." Juliet was already rubbing my back, worried that I was left dazed.

"No, it can't be," I uttered, not even sure if it reached their ears. "Tell me that it was just a nightmare." I was speaking while still lost in space and emptiness. My voice as I spoke was begging for acknowledgment but all I had received from them was regret and pity.

"Tell me!" I demanded as I wanted them to say something I would be happy to hear.

"Be calm, Max." Lex hushed me and held my shoulders, suddenly, I felt an itch on my neck. Gradually, I lost my strength.

My parents were dead. How will I continue living if the ones' I had treasured the most were gone?

~~~

I didn't know things will go this fast. If I had been at least informed that they will leave this world, I should have hugged mom longer, I should have at least took a good look at my father's face. I should have not been so rude to them. Why can't life or fate give us that privilege, so we won't have many regrets in life?

"Max, let's go the weather looks bad. It will rain anytime soon. We'll go back here another day, okay?" Juliet tapped me on my shoulder. I held her hand and looked her in the eyes.

"No, you go. I'll stay here a little longer." I smiled, though it was a weary one, it was enough to let her feel that I will be fine.

"Max, I understand your situation. I am also in agony about what happened but it's painful seeing you like that. Your parents won't be happy to know that you are already neglecting yourself."

"I know, Juliet. But what can I do? I want to stand right here right now and start to fix my life, but my heart is too broke to cooperate with my mind." I hate to cry in the presence of someone. I didn't want anyone to see me crying, I didn't want them to pity me. All I ever wanted was to look strong I always do, but I didn't know why I can't at this moment.

"I feel so weak, Juliet. I don't want this feeling. I hate it!" She placed my head on her shoulder and my tears started to run through my face. She wasn't saying a thing, and I appreciated her for that. I knew that I was causing her pain, and I was already being a burden to her and to Lex as well. They'd been with me since I woke up from that tragedy which I earnestly prayed to be just a nightmare. My prayer just didn't work. I had to accept the truth, but each and every time, the tragedy kept playing in my head.

The wind was blowing heavily and it was getting colder and colder in our position. The rain started to fall, I wanted to get lost in my current state and let the abyss swallow me, but I was worried about Juliet.

"Hey, let's go." I shook Juliet's shoulder.

"Are you sure you want to go?" I nodded and plastered a smile. She was a real friend, and I must stop burdening her.

Suddenly, the rain poured heavily but I realized that I was not getting wet. I looked up and saw an umbrella, Lex was holding it. Juliet stood up and guided me to stand. When I finally got on my feet, I gave the two of them a smile then I hugged them. "I love you guys. Thank you for not leaving me. " I will rise from this pain.

Lexter's POV

Juliet texted me that Max didn't want to go home when she had been sitting for almost half a day on her parents' grave.

I heard what Max said and despite her outburst, I knew she was still keeping so much in her heart. She was a tough girl, she didn't want other people to see her crying not even by her friends nor family.

"I love you guys. Thank you for not leaving me." I felt her left arm on my shoulder as she embraced us.

"Actually, I was planning to leave you but now that your spirit has finally come back, I decided I won't," I said, not really meaning it.

She sulked her lips and showed me her 'angry look'. I should be afraid, but I smiled instead. She was brave and adorable.

A smile crossed my lips. "You know I won't do that. I love you..." Juliet's face suddenly shifted on me and gave me a ridiculous smile. "guys," I added. "I love you guys."

"Thanks, Lex. I love you both," she responded.

"Let's head home!" Max said with a revived energy. It felt so good to see her brought to life again.

"Good to see you stand again," Juliet commented.

"I have to. I can't let those who are responsible for my family's death celebrate their so-called victory. Life begets life. I will make them pay for what they've caused me." Mine and Juliet's smile faded as she said those words.

We've been in touch with the detectives that work on Max's case, but we hadn't heard any progress. It was quite difficult since there was no evidence to start with and it was too dangerous for her to show herself in public. Who knew someone was watching her.

I was in the hospital with her uncle when we saw the news on the television. We hurriedly went out to go to the place where it happened, but upon riding in, we noticed Max's bloody body inside of Mr. Danny's car.

We should have brought her body to the hospital, but her uncle drove the car fast, away from where she could have gotten good medication. He brought her to their private house and gave her the necessary treatment there.

"Max, it's too dangerous. We don't know the culprit yet. You'll be safe if you stay away from It. Let the police and detectives do their job okay?" Juliet said with so much worry in her tone.

"Max, listen to what Juliet said," I pleaded but she just gave a short smile, a fake one. She was up to something. I didn't know if I could stop her.

"If the detectives and NBI can't find the lion then I'll have to make myself as a prey," she said with so much determination in her voice.

"What are you planning to do?" Juliet's question was left hanging in the air. Max didn't spill her plans, not in that instant.

I was worried she might figure out soon that her mother's and Alissa's DNA did not match any of the burnt body recovered at the crime scene.

She didn't need to know, in that way, it'll be easy for her to move on and protect her life.