Don't Save Me

Chapter 3

"What's the use of history? I don't care; those people are already dead, anyway."

El', lying on the couch with a book, glanced at her brother. He was sitting on two stacked cushions in front of the coffee table, working on his history assignment.

"You know, it's important to know the past. It prevents us from making the same mistakes again"

"Then why do we have to learn about so many wars? By experiencing it once, they should have understood it's not right."

She held back a laugh. The innocence of an eight-year-old was adorable.

"There will always be mean people who want to harm others."

"But if we tell them "no," they wouldn't be able to wage war alone?"

El' sat up and placed her book on her lap. Tenderly, she tousled his hair, making him grumble.

"You'll see that in this world, there is everything. Some think they're doing good through violence, and others want to use it to do harm. It all depends on the perspective."

Ryu furrowed his brows, a sign of deep concentration.

"But you, you fight for good, right?"

"I try. I use my strength to protect those I love, El' replied in a soft voice"

Her brother's eyes lit up.

"I want to be like you when I grow up!"

His words sent a chill down the young girl's spine. Her face tightened, and she felt her breath shorten.

" I don't want you to be like me. I want you to live the life you want, to be happy, never lack anything, and find someone who will love you for who you are."

An awkward silence stretched between the brother and sister. The little one lowered his head in an attempt to hold back his budding tears.

" But... but I thought you were the person who loved me the most."

El's heart tightened instantly.

"Not in that way, my little dinosaur. Trust me, you are the one I love the most in the world."

Ryu wrapped his arms around his sister's neck and buried his head in her hair. His small body still trembled, but the sobs seemed to be calming more and more.

"Forgive me, El', she continued. I love you, Ryu."

"Will you love me forever, for my whole life?" he asked in a small voice.

"Always."

They remained in each other's arms for long minutes, silent. El' knew that the absence of their parents caused a huge emotional void that she had to fill on her own. Even though she had never asked for this enormous responsibility, she didn't complain. She would do anything for this little guy.

"Is it your phone ringing?" Ryu asked, sniffling.

Mucus was running from his nose. El' lowered her head and saw her pajama shirt stained with tears and nasal secretions. She was in for a laundry day tomorrow. Great, she hated that.

"The person calling me can wait. How about we make some hot chocolate now?"

Ryu nodded vigorously. His eyes started to sparkle again, as they usually did. El' got up, followed by her brother, and headed to the kitchen. After preparing two steaming mugs, they settled on the couch, and El' listened to Ryu talk about his day at school. He was an intelligent little boy who had no trouble making friends and winning the teachers' favor. Even though he claimed not to like history, his almost perfect grades testified to his hard work.