All Over Again

Prologue

I've blamed myself for everything. I've always blamed myself. I blamed myself for her death. It was my fault she died. I know it was. Sometimes I asked myself What if I actually secretly wanted her to die? Mom told me it wasn't my fault.

You couldn't have changed this even if you wanted to.

I took her out that day, to a park.

I really want to go to a park so you can push me on the swings.

I took her to the one closest by her house, the one she visited as a child. We spent hours there just watching everything and acting like teens.

I'll get some ice cream, any specific flavour?

Strawberry.

I had crossed the street to get ice cream.

How many cones?

Two.

What flavours?

Both strawberry.

I had paid and I had made my way back when I heard a crash and saw a flash of blonde.

Someone call an ambulance!

Will she be okay?

She's dying!

I dropped everything I had. It was in that time and place when I knew she was gone for good.

I'm sorry, but she didn't make it.

The moment I saw her lifeless body covered in a white sheet, I knew, I knew it was my fault. I killed her. I killed Lydia Bryant.