She's awake! Jacob, she's finally awake, Bill said.

Wha.. Where am I?, Astraea groaned

Astraea, you're at the hospital, Bill said.

What happened to me? I don't remember anything..., Astraea said.

Bill suddenly went silent

You've been sleeping for 2 weeks straight Jacob and I were so worried about you., Bill said.

What? 2 weeks, it's been that long?, Astraea said.

I need to get to my mom, she might get worried that I haven't gone home for weeks, Astraea said.

Astraea, you're still tired. Go get some rest. Your mother know you're here., Bill said.

Jacob nodded

Dad?, Jacob said.

It's fine, son. It's probably best this way. We will let her know after she recovered, Bill said.

After few hours, Astraea's doctor walked in.

Astraea? How are you? Is your arms still hurt?, the doctor said.

I'm fine, but my arms are a little bit numb, Astraea said.

That's perfectly fine, we are actually Impressed how swiftly you have recovered after your arms got severely burned., the doctor said.

Burned?, Astraea asked.

Astraea, you suffered from 3rd degree burns from both your arms.

Doctor, enough!, Bill exclaimed.

Mr. Bill, the patient needs to know what happened to her.

Astraea began feel nauseous and pain on her head.

Astraea, are you okay?, Bill said.

Astraea began to cry.

Mom! Where is my mom? I need to get to her!, Astraea shouted.

Astraea your mom..., Bill said.

WHERE IS SHE!!, Astraea yelled.

Astraea began to glow and her bed shakens.

Astraea, calm down! Calm down!, Bill exclaimed.

She's in the nearby ward. She's in critical condition.

Astraea began to jolt as fast as she could to find Janice.

Astraea! She's in the ICU 3rd floor, Bill yelled in the distant.

Astraea ran across the hallway passed the stairs. She immediately approached the nurse attending to her patient.

Where is the ICU!, Astraea yelled.

There! There! To the right and go left next, the second door., the nurse said.

Mom! Mom! Let me in! Let me in!, Astraea yelled.

Ma'am, the patient is in critical condition. No person should be allowed to be in this room., the doctor said.

Open this door at once or else!., Astraea said.

The doctor feel sudden trembles across his entire body and nerves as soon as he gaze upon her eyes.

Yes! Ma'am...

He willingly decided to let her in.

Mom! Mom! I'm so sorry that I left you all alone. I'm really sorry, I blame myself for anything that happens to you.

The medical equipment keeps ticking right after Astraea's tears fall down her cheeks.

Astraea! Come Jacob..., Bill said

It's not your fault Astraea, all that happened was just an accident. Don't be hard on yourself, girl.

But I left her all there alone, dying. Even her only daughter abandoned her, Astraea said.

I known Janice for a very long time and she will never do that especially to her daughter, Bill muttered.

Why do you even care! All you people are the same!, Astraea yelled.

Astraea... I don't know what to say, Bill said.

Just leave me be...

Bill and Jacob left the room leaving her sobbing and crying. Bill felt for her, broken and shattered. Like the day Bill felt when his mother died.

Dad... Why is she so mean to us? All we did is to help her.., Jacob asked.

Jacob you'll never understand what she went through. She had a tough childhood, her dad left her when she was young. She got constantly bullied growing up although what happens her mother was the only the world to her..., Bill said.

Jacob nodded

A few moments later Bill and Jacob walked in the room consolidate her.

Astraea?, Bill asked.

Mr. Bill... Jacob... I'm terribly sorry... My mom she means a lot to me. She always had supported me even the world turns down on me. She never was disappointed on me even I was harsh to her. I looked up to her Mr. Bill, you know that? I can never be as self sacrificing, good willed and kind hearted as my mother. I wanna be just like her, I would die for her. Now she's gone, my life has no meaning.

Astraea, life can be cold and unfair but we need to keep on trying. We are given this life not to be wasted but to nurture it. Who are we to take our own life if our lives isn't ours in the first place. Keep on pushing Astraea, you can do it!, Bill said.

Mr. Bill, thank you for everything. Most people are gone by now but you're always been there. I can't express how thankful I am to you even just having beside me during this trivial times., Astraea said.

Dont sweat. From now on, you can treat as a father figure. I know that your father was never been at your side for so many years. I've been seeing you suffered your whole life, let me be your shield. I will help you... Rebuild you..., Bill said.

Thank you..., Astraea said.

Moments later Janice passed away but Astraea is hopeful. Her mother is been battling with disease and her passing ended her turmoil.

After several weeks Janice body was cremated and her ashes we're thrown into the ocean.

Why the ocean?, Bill asked.

I love the ocean.. the sea is mysterious and vast yet they are free. Not tainted with humans, it should be that way., Astraea said.

What now? You don't have a place to live...

I'll guess I'll be homeless and see where this life would take me..., Astraea said.

You should work for me.. you're mother told me that you should. In return I will let you stay at my place.

No.. Mr. Bill I can't do that...

Yes.. you can. I insist..