Our Flame

LXII

NADIA

I limp across the room, shoving my clothes into a black bag. Today is the day I go home. Of course, I'll have to go to physical therapy but I won't be stuck in a hospital room anymore. That's good enough for me.

I feel less pain when I walk but I'd be lying if I said it was nonexistent. I feel the pain everyday, and it's a constant reminder of what I went through.

In some ways, it's a constant reminder of what I lost too. I lost Oscar, one of the kindest people that I've ever met.

I can think about him without wanting to cry now but, I miss him. And I will always be grateful that I met him.

When it felt like I had no reason to fight, I had Oscar reminding me of my family. I made it back to them but, it came at a cost. He lost his life and I get to go back to normal.

Or at least that's what it should feel like. I should be happy that I'm with my family, that I'm with Ezra. Yet, how can I be happy when Olivia has no clue her brother was murdered.

She has no clue that her baby will never get the chance to meet its uncle. And I hate that thought.

I plan to visit Olivia today and tell her everything that happened. She deserves to know the whole story, even if I'm not ready to tell it.

My head turns as I hear a knock at the door, "Hey." I greet Aleksi. Ever since we talked, we've been closer than ever. "You ready to get out of here?" He looks around the room.

I nod my head, "I hate hospitals." I respond. "What's wrong?" I question as he looks everywhere but at me. "I'm about to leave." He finally speaks.

"I'll see you at home." I remind him. Aleksi shakes his head, I sigh when I realize what he's saying. "You don't have to leave."

"For the longest time, I've been the out of place piece of this family. I pushed that onto you and I'm sorry for that. But I also can't live in that house knowing that I'm not trusted." He explains.

I get what he's saying yet, it still hurts. "When are you coming back?" I wonder. It hurts even more when Aleksi shrugs his shoulders.

"I'll see you soon though, Nadia. I just couldn't leave without saying goodbye." He walks closer to me. "Did you tell everyone else?"

It's a stupid question, Aleksi hasn't talked to any of our brothers since the day they accused him. And I understand why.

He shakes his head, "Where will you go?" I ask. "London." He responds. I want to smile and be happy for him but my mind doesn't allow me too.

Part of me hates that he's leaving. The other part of me only wants the best for him.

"I hope you find everything you're looking for." I say truthfully. "Me too." He speaks, before pulling me into a hug. "Don't be a stranger." I mumble into his chest.

"I'm going to work on myself so, I can be the person Mama envisioned me to be. I'll be a better brother  too." Aleksi states.

I sadly smile at my older brother as we pull away, "Go before I cry or something." I joke. Aleksi hugs me one more time before exiting the room.