Chapter One

My parents from Before were devastated when they heard that I was born with a birth defect. I had tumors in both my lungs. I don't think there was ever a time I breathed by myself without being sent into a fit of coughs.

My illness caused me to have difficulties in breathing, body-wracking coughs, and the occasional fevers. At first, as I grew up, my symptoms subsided slightly and I asked to go to school instead of being home-schooled. Naturally, my parents agreed, albeit reluctantly. They really loved me.

Thus, I set off for school at six years old. School was exciting and fun - much better than being constantly hooked to machines in the hospital or at home. However, I hated the adults that send me pitying glances or the children that flinch away from me when I cough or sneeze. Other than that, all was well and I was enjoying my time.

But of course life had to take it all away from me. My illness worsened after five years of school and didn't get any better. The doctors were nice -really- but dumb. Why wouldn't they operate on me? Useless(I wasn't aware my parents forbade it.) They told me I had at most four more years to live.

I hated it. I hated the feeling of being trapped and restricted. I wanted to be free. I wanted to run and play with the other children. To live. Not just survive. After I heard the news, I cried and wailed and screamed at the unfairness of life(it always sent me into coughing fits though but I don't know why I wouldn't stop.) Eventually, I accepted my fate and tried to live my life to the fullest. Heck, I even tried a few sips of wine and beer; let me tell you, it was disgusting. During the period of three years, I read many books recommended by friends, nurses, and family. One of them being Harry Potter, one of my personal favourites. Though I have to admit, the last few books were a tad boring...hehe.

And so I died on the eve of my birthday, February 18, at age fourteen. Here lies Anstace Hope, 18 February 2003 to 18 February 2017, blah blah blah. I guess I should have been worried about where I would go after I died but before the thought even crossed my mind, I felt like I was being sucked into a hole at high speed and-

My eyes closed and I did not wake for a long time.

I could vaguely hear voices. I kicked my legs out in an attempt to stretch and ended up hitting a...wall? I opened my eyes but all I found was darkness. Suddenly, the voices grew louder. I could barely make out a feminine voice exclaiming, "Lucius, come! The baby kicked!"

Umm...what? Kick? Baby? Hold up everybody. Me, kicked, voice exclaimed- baby? No she couldn't have been referring to me. I'm dead, aren't I?

"Yes Narcissa, that's wonderful. You need to be more careful. You're nearing your ninth month soon," said a man. I assume that man is 'Lucius' according to that woman called Narcissa. So I'm an unborn baby now? Wow okay. I can't wait to be potty trained again, woohoo. For some reason, the names of those people niggled in my mind but I can't seem to remember where I heard it from.

Narcissa and Lucius. Who are you? Those were my last thoughts before I dozed off.

I woke up abruptly. I could feel myself being squeezed with the area around me contracting and expanding. What the freak? I panicked. What was happening? The motions went on for quite a long time before it stopped. Cold, biting air stung my body. I was used the the warm place that the moment the air hit me, I let out a whimper. I felt large hands carrying me around and some stuff poking and prodding at me. At this point, I reached my limit. I was scared and felt nauseous so naturally I went ahead and wailed as if my life depended on it. Ah, how nice it is to actually scream and yell. It's like a dream come true!

Those were my thoughts until a familiar feeling bubbled up in my chest and I erupted into a series of weak coughs.

Holy crabs.

Yayayayay! My first kinda serious story :D I have to admit, when I read my other story I cringed so hard. Hopefully this story wouldn't be so...bad. REASONABLE criticism is welcome. If you get what I mean :/

For some reason I decided to start a new story. Sorry my Wattpad story. You gotta wait. Adieu~