Broken

I knew I shouldn't have gone out that day. I knew I shouldn't have tried to do that trick. I knew the big risk I was taking but did I listen? No, I didn't. I was about 12 years old when my life-threatening accident happened. I grew up as someone who never really experienced pain or hardship. So when I first found out what lying on a hospital bed, unable to physically do anything meant, I struggled. It was hard in the first 2-3 months. My injury was caused during a bombing in the ocean when I was surfing near an abandoned cove. No one was there except me and only my sister knew where I was. I wish it had never happened.

I woke up on the 17th of July at 6:00 in the morning. I had gotten a new board for my birthday and I couldn’t resist trying it out. I gobbled down some toast as fast as I could and grabbed my board and leg rope. I know I should've checked the weather for surfing or even just checked the news. Maybe then I would’ve known that everyone was advised to stay home and be under protection and maybe then my parents wouldn’t have died. I hurriedly packed my bag and raced outside to grab my bike. I paused at the bottom of the staircase and turned around and went back inside. I scribbled a note and taped it to my sister’s door. Then I raced outside where I had left the door open. I swung onto the bike and pedaled as fast as I could to the opening of the cove. 

When I reached the cove, I parked my bike at the bike rack and headed inside the opening of the cove with my board under one arm and my bag under the other. As soon as I was inside, I dropped my bag a few metres from the sea and ran in. The water was surprisingly warm and the sand underneath was colder than usual as if no one had been there for a long time. It was all very strange but I had taken no notice. I grabbed my board and paddled until I was very far out and where the more dangerous waves were for the advanced surfers. The board wasn’t my size and it was bigger so I was careful. I lay on the board, keeping one eye in the sky. I spotted a speck of something but I couldn’t make out what it was. I kept an eye out for it but it soon disappeared. I gave up looking so I closed my eyes. I was vigilant to not fall asleep but I was starting to drift.

A few minutes later a bang rang next to my ear. I sat bolt upright glancing warily around me. I spotted something that resembled a spark disappear into the murky water. Now I was worried. I tried to paddle but my left leg felt like it was on fire. I was in shock and my mind turned completely blank and all thoughts of rescuing myself was gone. I needed help and fast. Unfortunately it was only 7:30 in the morning and no way had my sister woke up so no one knew where I was. I tried paddling with my arms but I was too weak. I gave up and soon just started counting the seconds. It might take a while but someone would find me eventually, I hoped. If my parents have woken up, they might see my note taped on my sisters door and know where to find me.

I glanced at my waterproof watch and stared in disbelief. What seemed like hours had only been a couple of minutes. I buried my face in my board and immediately regretted it seeing as my face and hair were soaking wet. I tried playing eye spy but there isn’t any use by yourself. I was so bored and started playing with the water making little splashes, when I heard a shout, “Caitlin! There you are!”

I glanced up and recognized that voice. It was Dad and Mum standing next to him. My sister was lazily standing next to them, holding tightly to Mum’s hand. “Don’t move! I’ll come get you,”

I nod. I hadn’t realized the water had risen and become rough. Dad stepped in and so did Mum and they were both immediately sucked in and swallowed underwater. 

My sister, Katie nervously sucked on her thumb as she watched. She was only 9 at the time.
I cried out but I never got a response. My mum’s hand was the last glimpse of them that I could ever remember.
Now I was starting to panic. Katie was just standing there, looking completely bewildered at what was going on.
“Katie! Get mum's phone out of her bag and call emergency services!” I yelled.
Katie hesitated for a few seconds before running and dialing the number. I couldn’t hear what she was saying.
Katie gave me a thumbs up before running to the opening of the cove.

I felt very relieved and was starting to loosen up. My left leg still felt like it was on fire. I started splashing the water when a droplet hit my left leg. It stung really bad and I cried out in pain. I really wanted my parents.
I swung my head into the water (careful not to drop any water onto the burning pain). I couldn’t see anything but I did see a glimpse of a sparkle. Mum was wearing her sparkly bracelet and ring! I tried to paddle a little closer when another bang vibrated the sea. I gazed up and a huge bomb was raining down. I had never felt more scared in my life.
Thankfully, that’s when the emergency services had come. They brought a large dinghy and someone towed my surfboard and me back to shore. They also checked my leg and I was brought into a hospital in an ambulance. 

Katie was sent to my aunties house for a couple of months while I was in hospital. Sadly, they uncovered Mum and Dads bodies under the water. They died rescuing me. I didn’t get out of hospital until the 17th of October. My leg was completely better but now I had other problems. I had to look after Katie, not to mention cook. So we had to move to stay in with Aunt Laura and switch schools. It worked well because Aunt Laura is Katie’s favourite aunt so she has been less of a brat. 
I guess I could say it ended well. The bombs were due to the fact that planes carrying high risk bombs had flown above the cove and dropped the bombs. The police are still investigating if it was purposeful or accidental. I wouldn’t say it ended well but it ended okay.