Watch Your Step

GREATER {6}

Now, looking down at their unconscious bodies, what could they do?

The two boys, Young Mike and Philip looked at each other, "Wow, we looked like children fighting," Mike jeered. Philip approved. They turned around and saw a dark figure forming. Its head was a skull with glowing green eyes and smoke billowed from its mouth. The same smoke coming from Philip's nape. It spoke:

Mike Myers and Philip Myers, you are bound not just by blood but by the curse you have worn upon yourselves. You lived your life with too much envy and hatred for your brethren. Either one of you survive, or you both survive or you both die, you won't remember any of this.

"You won, Phil, I give that to you. Death is not the opposite of life. Failure is not the opposite of success. Nor hate is the opposite of love

"When did you become so wise?"

"Maybe you're right, the curse will be broken if one of us dies. So...

The cloaked figure offered its two skeleton hands.

Mike stepped forward to the dark figure, "I was also envious of you, Phil," Mike stated. I'll always be your big brother.

"No, I shouldn't have let my pride take over."

"Come on Phil, it's okay, with this, our curse is broken."

"What will happen now?"

Remember when you came hurtling down the stairs and then when you found me, you buried your face in my tummy, hugging me so tightly? Then the next second you were wailing "Mike, Mike!" Mike mimicked a kid's voice, "I dreamed you were dead!" And you couldn't stop crying."

"While you had your best dream of marrying your crush," Philip replied, tears forming in his eyes.

"Remember when we had a haircut, I liked mine and you hate yours because my hair is curly and yours is straight like a cow licked on your head? You were so grumpy, so I spat on my hands and clasped them together then made your hair up. When you looked in the mirror, you were so happy. I know deep down you cared for me as much as I cared for you

"That's not true," Philip sniffled.

"So live for me."

"How could I Mike, how could I?

"You have a daughter and a wife waiting for you."

All those times that Philip had wished his brother dead, even at the last moment he was alive, Mike was still the opposite of wanting to save Philip's life. What a cliché, to let him survive while the other dies. It was then that Philip concluded wrongly that he and his brother were complete opposites until the end and there's no chance that they'll ever get along.

An act of seeking attention. That's what it was. All this time, he longed for not his parent's approval but his brother's approval. When the thread snapped and the beads shattered, you cried. So I gave mine to you. The night you threw it was the same night you eloped with Emily. I knew what you were planning, I kept Father busy so you could escape.

I didn't hold you back then because I know it's what you want. When Emily gave birth to your daughter, you didn't pay anything because I was there. I never believed our curse, but I also wanted a child, so I adopted one.

The black smoke is slowly eating Mike whole. It was spreading to his face, to his arms, and his legs. "I'll let it take me."

"You stopped wearing it."

Mike rolled up his sleeve revealing the bracelet and Philip saw he still wore it.

"You've suffered enough, Phil."

And Phil started to cry.

I didn't help you then because I wanted you to be strong on your own. I'm sorry if I hadn't shown my feelings for you more often like you did

"I was only waiting for you to say those things."

"I'm sorry it had to end this way."

There's always someone or something that's always greater. And then there's in between. 

"We can share."

"I'm taking it with me, now you have to live. Live the life you want. Live for me. Don't chase anyone's shadow."

It's normal to have that enviousness. All that pent-up madness about being opposite. Even at this moment.

"Save yourself," When Philip was selfish, Mike was selfless, "You'll live, and I die."

"But it's not your fault."

Mike was almost covered in darkness

But Philip did one brave thing.

At the last second, this time, Philip pulled Mike away from the darkness.