Circles

Chapter II

An hour later, they entered the empty house as usual, and as soon as they stepped inside, Noah rushed upstairs without being able to contain himself. Alister followed closely, trying to keep things calm for him, but it was impossible. The only thing that had kept him sane during his childhood and the adolescence he was still living through was drawing. He had poured his complete focus into it; it was his escape and his happiness, and Alister knew that.

"First, let's do the exercises," he warned as he took the booklet from Noah's hands.

"Ugh, please!"

"No. I don't want you to hurt yourself. You need to take it easy, or I'll hide everything you use to draw and won't give it back until you're completely okay."

"Fine! Fine, I promise I'll do the exercises first!"

"Good boy. I'll help you."

Slowly, Noah began moving his fingers one by one and then his wrist, guided by Alister. It was harder than he had imagined. His hand seemed to be atrophied from lack of use, and at times, he felt as if there were needles in his wrist, but he decided it was best not to mention it; he didn't want Alister to tell him he couldn't draw that day.

When they finished, Noah had a radiant smile on his face. He gathered his things and lay down on the floor, while his brother watched him with a serious expression.

As soon as he took the pencil, he knew something was wrong. It was clear he would have less strength, perhaps it would take time to regain all the skill he had developed over the years, but there was something else. A sharp, dull pain that extended from his wrist to his forearm, barely allowing him to hold the pencil.

"Does it hurt?" Alister asked, concerned by his expression.

"No, I'm fine. It's normal. My muscles are waking up, so it's okay."

"That's what the exercises were for."

"It's really fine. It doesn't hurt..."

Alister squinted at him but didn't say anything.

Trying to endure the pain while pretending, Noah began to draw, slowly, stroke by stroke, but he had little control over his hand.

"It hurts."

"No, I'm fine..."

"That wasn't a question. I can see you trying to bear the pain."

"No! Please... just a little more, I'll get used to it."

"Of course not." Alister crouched beside him and gently took the pencil from his hand. "If something's wrong, we need to go back to the hospital for the doctor to check you again."

Tears welled up in Noah's eyes at those words.

"I don't want to... please... I'll go crazy."

"You won't. Don't cry, come on, are you a baby?"

"I'm not!" Noah wiped away the tears abruptly with the back of his hand. "You don't understand..."

"Hey." Alister took his wrists carefully and looked into his eyes. "I understand it's important to you. I can't say I feel sorry for you, but I understand."

Noah's abrupt reaction was triggered by those last words.

"I'm sorry..." he mumbled, embarrassed. "I didn't mean that..."

"I know. Your words don't hurt me," he smiled. "I just want you to know I care about you. More than you realize."

Noah hung his head, finally giving in.