No sooner do I reach my bedroom, I hear my phone beeping. "Yes this is Mara Benjamin speaking." I answer the call. The voice on the other line was in a rush. "Miss, we are speaking to you from Holy city hospital. Mr and Mrs Benjamin are admitted in the hospital for an accident. You are requested to reach the hospital at the earliest as we are supposed to perform some urgent tests on your parents which require your immediate consent."

My throat felt dry, unable to register the information the woman gave me. "What? Are you calling the right number?" I ask her doubtfully. "Come and check for yourself madam." She replied morosely and I felt the blood drain out of my face.

Grabbing my cell phone and some cash for emergency purposes I ran to my car as fast as my feet could carry. I reached the hospital within half an hour and raced to the receptionist enquiring about my parents. 

She plastered a fake smile and started checking the register. Each second felt like an age. I drum my fingers on the reception desk in anxiety waiting for her answer.  “Please make it fast.”  

She raised her forest green eyes to mine and spoke with over sweetness.  “You are supposed to meet Dr Travis.”

I scampered to the doctor's cabin in haste and knocked my leg at the door in the process. "Careful young lady..." The gray haired physician looked out of his glasses which were hanging low on his nose. 

He looks at me nodding his head and beckons me to come in. "How are my parents, doctor?" My throat goes to a constriction as I enquire about their accident. 

Adjusting his black rimmed glasses, the doctor assessed me carefully. He signaled to take a seat and handed me a glass of water. As I sip the first drop the aged man stares ahead towards the entrance and looks back at me quizzically. 

I got the hint that the news I was shortly going to hear from him wasn't a good one. But I thought I was bold. Little did I know…. 

I told him that I was their only family and we did not have any relatives in Miami. He hesitated at first to speak and his ditherance was about to give me an anxiety attack. My lips start trembling as I take small sips of water from the glass bracing myself with the possible news. 

Understanding my vulnerability, he knew he could not postpone this news for someone else about to visit him. "I am sorry child. We could not save your mother. She was brought dead to the hospital." 

Emotions drained out of my face as I stared stolidly at him. 

Being aged and experienced he understood my shaking stature. Patting my shoulder he gazes at me in a fatherly affection and starts giving a pep talk. “I am sorry that you had to cognize this dreadful incident at such a young age. May God give you the strength in recovering from this sad news.”

After I regained my composure, he spoke the gospel truth. "Your father is in no better status. He has broken ribs, a fractured knee and a major head injury. Presently he is in a coma. Though we would always pray for the best to happen, I am sorry that we cannot guarantee you about his life too. Because your arrival here took a little more time than expected, we did the initial investigation for you. The vehicle your dad was driving is not covered under any insurance policy. So I regret to inform you that you would not be able to claim any indemnity bonus. It was a drunk and drive case, an exhibition of sheer negligence on the other side. Today's youth..." He shakes his head odious.  

“The driver of the car was declared dead a few minutes ago. We still do not have any information about his family. But we will soon find out. He appears to be from a well to do background. Dr Harris is handling the case. You can speak to him and... " He contemplates watching me but anyhow continues. “Maybe you could claim for the damages?" 

I stare at the doctor devoid of any emotions. I had no words to speak. My rationality stopped functioning and the world came to a halt around me. Many minutes later I dragged my feet to my parent's room shaking unperceivable and cried my heart out.

Shannon's POV

It's been more than a month since Mr Luke died. His last 15 days were torturous not only for him but for the people around to see him suffer. He would collapse in a glimpse of an eye as for the growing tumor in his brain. However he continued to work with endurance in spite of my repeated requests for him to take leave.

After he left this world, the accountancy work began to pile up like a mountain. There were so many applications reaching my enterprise tempted by the high salaries we offer but there was hardly any prospective candidate who could manage the complicated accounts of our multilateral firm.

Our purchase executive Mr Brad who is an accountancy postgraduate is presently dealing with the numbers but I know he wouldn't be able to manage for long because of the growing requirements. Apart from taking care of purchase ledgers he is a prospective employee of our company to grab the next promotion of the chief operation officer.

With the passing days because of not being able to find a suitable candidate my frustration declared no boundaries. The interviews conducted during last week too failed miserably. "Hi brother, what's the plan for today? It's already Friday evening man and time to chill and enjoy. Come let's go to a club and loosen up." My brother cited with excitement.

I thought about the proposal for a moment. With the complications coiling up in the office I badly needed a break