**When a child is young they are taught to listen to their parents and trust that they know what’s best for them. I trusted mine. I didn’t know any better. I was five.**

**Memories of that night haunt me as I lay in my bed on the day of my 18th birthday. It’s been twelve years since I lost both of my parents in what I like to call “the incident”. Twelve years of wondering why I was** the only lucky one to survive.

I turn my head to the left, glancing at the digital clock by my bed. The numbers 3:42 AM stare back at me. I groan as I turn my head back to look at the ceiling. I’ve had sleeping problems since I was young. Doctors believe it’s due to the trauma I experienced.

‘It’s ok’ I tell myself, ‘it will soon be in the past, just have to survive one more day. All of a sudden I hear thunder in the distance. I laugh at how ironic for there to be rain the day of my birthday.