CHAPTER (I)

It happened right in the middle of the most important basketball game in his high school.

His mom, dad and sister had flown to Washington Dc and had promised to be back in time to watch him play. At the start of the game, they were nowhere to be seen, heavy traffic is the excuse he came up with, because what other reason could there possibly for them being late?

The devastating news came in six minutes to the end of the game. It was displayed on the large screen next to the scoreboard, 'TRAGIC ACCIDENT CLAIMS THE TORRES FAMILY'

He had the ball, about to score again. He froze as his eyes read the headline, all the cheering noise faded as the ball slipped out of his hand, his heart stopped as he saw the photos of the sleek Mercedes in flames. His knees gave and he fell on the court floor. There was dead silence as all read the headline, Jamie, his assistant captain and his best friend found himself on his knees next to Phil, speechless.

It was two blocks away.

"Phil," Jamie called weakly holding Phil by the shoulder. Phil was shaking, his eyes still on the large screen, staring, unblinkingly. All eyes turned to him as his teammates walked to him. He stood weakly with the help of his buddy, he ran out, ignoring the calls by many behind him.

Jamie was the first to run after him, then walker, then Gray then the whole team.

He could already hear the sirens and see the smoke.

"Phil stop!" Jamie called from behind him but he didn't, he went on.

The small crowd at the scene kept their distance, their phones in their hands documenting the happenings. Phil froze at the sight, he confirmed it was their car, the same black Mercedes that he saw everyday parked in their garage.

He ran towards the car but something held him back, someone held him back. Jamie. Phil fought him but Jamie's grip was firm.

Phil fell on his knees, the small pieces of stone cut into his exposed knees but he didn't notice. The shock was to thank, he wasn't even crying, just staring as the fire consumed the bodies of his parents and his sister. Motion from his sister on the back seat sent him bolting towards the car but he didn't make it. An explosion sent him flying across the road and trashcans cushioned his fall. "No!" he cried in a mere whisper as he struggled to get up.

The ambulance and the fire truck arrived at the same time and the firemen sprang to work. The two teams and spectators were already at the scene. Horror all over their faces as they watched in disbelief as the fire got extinguished and the doors pulled open to try and rescue the billionaires inside the car. There was nothing to rescue, there was no sign of life, the bodies were just there, motionless.

Just like that, Phil Torres had lost his entire family. His father, his mother and his older sister, gone. He watched helplessly as the three bodies were removed from the shell of a car.

Jamie had tried to pull him away from the scene but Phil hadn't moved. He couldn't.

A large part of him still didn't believe what was happening and wanted it to be all but a dream, and that they would wake from the body bags they were in but it wasn't. 

Everyone present knew who he was, how could they not, her was the son to one of the biggest businessman in New York and were it not for that, they recognized him for his extraordinary talents in the basketball court. They all turned to him, others with eyes full of pity, others with blank looks. His girlfriend, Ashley, made her way to him with a horrified look. She threw her hand around him and squeezed him, he didn't react, he didn't move. Just stood there with blood red eyes. She let go and held his face between her palms and looked deep into his eyes. She saw nothing, nothing at all. Just a lost soul. She hugged him again, tears rushing out of her eyes. "I'm so-" she had wanted to tell him she was sorry but broke off, no amount of sorry was going to ease his situation in the slightest.

This wasn't something that a mere 'I'm really sorry' could fix.

10:49Pm. He sat in the hospital bench, with his jersey still on. Ashley sat on his right, Jamie on his left. They were all silent, countless thoughts rushing in and out of Phil's head.

"What are we doing here?" Phil asked weakly.

He had a point. Why were they there? No report from the M.E (Medical Examiner) would change the situation. They were dead, nothing was going to change that.

It is then that it hit him. "Luna!" he exclaimed in a whisper. Ashley and Jamie exchanged glances. They had all forgotten about the little soul. Phil's little sister who was at home, probably in bed, having a nice beautiful dream full of friendly unicorns and clouds that carry her and fly.

"Oh My God!" Ashley exclaimed looking at Phil.

"Can you take me home please?"

He was led to the exit of the hospital and guided through the paparazzi outside shouting his name and begging him to comment. Jamie opened the back left door to his car and closed it once Phil was in. Ashley joined him as Jamie took the wheel.

Phil lay his throbbing head on the window and looked out, at the city lights that sped back. His mind was numb, replaying the image of the burning car over and over. He was utterly hopeless.