Cursed by Death

Chapter 4

        I grab Dad's hand as we walk down the sidewalk. He sighs. "Callista, why are you squeezing my hand?"
        "I need to keep you safe," I mutter.
        Dad stops walking and turns to me. "Oh, sweetheart. I'm okay. Amber died because she suffered from depression, and Mom is sick because she didn't make good food choices. You don't have to worry about me."
        I groan. "But, Dad-"
        I'm cut off by screams. Someone is running toward us. "Go! Go! He has a gun!" they're screaming.
        Dad grabs my shoulders and shoves me to the ground.
        "Dad, I'm fine! You need to hide!" I yell.
        But Dad shakes his head. "There's no time!" he says. "I'll be your shield-"
        There's a boom, a crack, and a thud, and suddenly, Dad's sprawled on top of me. I let out a piercing shriek and shake him. "Dad! Dad, wake up!" I yell. But blood leaks from his forehead, and his eyes are glassy. He's dead.
        Sirens wail, and paramedics rush over. They take Dad away. A policewoman squats next to me.
        "Sweetie, where are your parents?"    
        I point at the ambulance, and then I point off in the direction of the hospital.
        The policewoman's face crumples, and she helps me up. "Come on. Let's get you home." I numbly sit down inside of her police car, and she drives off.
        "Get away from me," I mumble.
        She looks in the rearview mirror. "Hmm?"
        I clear my throat. "I'm cursed."
        "Oh, hon," she says, glancing back.
        One glance.
        One glance is all it took.
        "Look out!" I scream, but it's too late.
        There's a thump as the car hits someone. They fly over the car, and I hear a smack as they hit the ground below. I try to stay in the car, but the Grim Reaper's papery voice is in my head, forcing me to climb out and kneel over the victim.
        Their chest is hitching, and blood seeps out from under their head. Their eyes find me. They open their mouth to try to speak, but blood flows out. Then they freeze, and fall back, dead.
        I scream. A paramedic pushes me away. The policewoman grabs me and carries me off. I'm bawling, and I can't breathe. The stress overtakes me, and I fall unconscious.