Loss of Innocence: Draft It all had happened too fast.

As the doctor informed him he had been lost for words. He had no idea how to respond to something so tragic. With little emotions, he trudged through the empty halls of the hospital which seemed to lack life. The paint on the ceiling was peeling off and the atmospheres along the corridors seem to cry out. As he exited the hospital, he noticed the flower buds in the hospitals garden had burst forth and become flowers. It all started coming to him slowly and then it hit him without warning and he managed to grasp what had just happened. As his eyes fluttered he saw flashes of his family and loved ones. As he gradually regained his conscious he realized that he was back in the life lacking hospital. The blood from his face was drastically drained and his skin was as pale as a corpse. The presence of a person in the room was clearly evident but it took him awhile to figure out who it was. As he slowly mustered his energy he raised himself up from the bed and gazed upon the side of the bed. There his mother lay resting her head on his bed. Mother he gently prodded her shoulder. She raised her head slightly and smiled melancholically Yes dear she replied. Could we please check out now? I bravely replied. As you wish the mother said. Within minutes, I was walking along the corridors towards the exit with my conscious clear and my body feeling better. On the way home, mother slowly whispered You do realize, youre going to have to replace dad at the factory now right? Yes mother I stuttered. As we arrived at our apartment several of my mates shouted and motioned for me to come forward. I sadly shook my head and headed up towards the stairs. Upon arriving to my room, I realized that my dads suit was ironed and on my bed. It then dawned to me that today was his funeral. The funeral was somewhat short, with little mourners and speeches. The loss of his father was one thing but the burden to fill his fathers shoes was somewhat unbearable. To bring in money and made sure that the family survived monthly. The idea of becoming a man had never really dawn to him as he was only sixteen. However with the debt his family had fallen into and his mothers medicine bills, someone definitely needed to bring in money. As he and his mum left the burial site, he noticed yet again the flowers sprouting out of the ground. Upon arriving home he realized that his fathers work clothes were on his bed and it struck him again how he had to start working. It almost seems as if his childhood had been robbed off him and replaced with the responsibilities of a man. As he crawled in bed and closed his eyes memories of how the incident seem to flood his mind. A storm had been brewing with lightning and thunder when his dads coughing fit started. As the heavy rain continue to pelt the roof mercilessly his father condition continue to worsen, the ambulance was already on its way. The rain slowly began to die down and the sirens filled the air, the father was already gasping for oxygen. The mother who had often thought the best for her son locked him up and tends to the father herself. The boy hammered and kicked the door until he could hear the sirens no more, and then crumpled down. When he reached the hospital it was too late. And still now the sirens would reverberate through his head.

Loss of Innocence: Draft The sun pierced through the thin curtains like a knife and woke him up. He stumbled out of bed and decided to check on his mother to see if she had already eaten her medication. He got up and headed to his mums room only to realize that her medication was untouched. He picked up the medicine and proceeded to his mothers room, gently knocking on her door but got no response glancing at the clock he realize that he was late for work. Quickly he scribbled a note gently reminding his mother to take her medication and rushed to put on his fathers work clothes and headed out the door. The factory growth had clearly been accelerated throughout these years with the demand of coal increasing globally; jobs were always available and were where his dad had mainly work throughout his life. Upon reaching the management office, he received a few condolences from his fathers colleagues and the manager gladly offered him a job. The work was tiring and tedious and often he had to wipe the sweat off his brow. As lunch time approach, rations were provided and he made a brisk walk back home to check how his mother was doing. Along the way, he bumped into some of his mates who offered him their condolences and asked him if he wanted to go play some football. No thank you he politely refused and continued his way home. Arriving home he could smell the stew that his mum would always cook for him when he returned from the field and a blast of nostalgia blew across him. Welcome home dear! Thanks for reminding me to take my medication she said with gratitude. Oh it was nothing replied the boy as he sat down. Hastily he ate his portions and got up saying Ill be at the factory mother, if anything comes up just come by or ask the neighbours ok? Yes dear, thank you so much for finding a job so quickly! You look a lot like your dad with the soot smothered across your face she smiled as a tear left her eyes. The boy returned his mothers words with a hug and departed for the factory.