Kotlc Oneshots!

I'm here

"I'm here to see Amy Foster," Sophie told the desk clerk.

"Alright, ma'am!" She replied. "Do you know what room she's in?"

She nodded.

"Alright, you're good to go."

Sophie quietly padded her way through the nursing home hallway. Amy's husband had died five years prior, and her children grew up and moved away. Sophie made an effort to go see her at minimum once a month since she got moved to Shady Pines Nursing Home.

Gently, she knocked on the door, arriving at the correct room.

"Come in," a raspy voice called out.

Sophie swung the door open. Her heart broke a little. Her little sister, who had long since turned gray and her skin prune like, lay in her bed. Meanwhile, Sophie got to stay youthful and healthy. It really wasn't fair.

Amy was diagnosed with terminal cancer a year before. Sophie offered help from Elwin and Livvy, but she refused. She said she had reached her time. She just had Sophie promise not to let her death keep her from her own life. Sophie would try her best to keep it.

Although she knew not much time was left for her sister. She had slowly been growing more frail and weak as her cancer spread. This was Sophie's third visit that week. She hoped it wouldn't be her last. Unfortunately, the chances were slim.

Amy reached out for her sister. Sophie hurried over, taking her hand. "I'm here," she murmured. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

Amy was shaking. Tears were apparent in her dark green eyes. It was about time. Sophie knew it. Amy knew it. The worker who called her, informing her on her sister's condition, knew it.

Sophie let out a shuttering breath. She reached out to brush the hair from Amy's forehead.

"Sophie?" Amy whispered.

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

Sophie had to blink the tears in her eyes. "I love you, too. I don't care what happens. You'll always be my little sister."

Amy cracked a smile. "I know. You keep saving lives, or whatever you do in elf land."

A sob bubbled up her throat. "But... why does any of that matter if I can't save you?"

Amy placed a hand over hers. "Because I've accepted that this is how it has to be."

"But I can't! Surely we can do something for you?"

"Sophie!" Amy shouted. "I'm going to be okay.... Alright?"

She forced herself to nod. Amy reached out to wipe the tears from her face.

"I don't want to lose you again," Sophie whimpered. "Not now, not ever again."

"Hey," Amy told her. Her eyes started to close. "Everything is going to be ok. I've done everything I wanted on life. I can be happy with that."

"I know I'm selfish for this," Sophie wiped her eyes. "But I just wish I could keep you forever. That you don't have to leave me. It's not fair."

"It's not," she agreed. "But we can't change the inevitable. We just need to learn to embrace it. Can you do that with me?"

"I'll try. Amy, when did you get so wise?"

She shrugged. "I've been alive for ninety one years. That will do that to you."

Sophie had to laugh at the irony of herself being older, getting told this advice.

Amy started to grow quiet. Her breaths were slow and heavy. Her lids were drooping.

She yawned. "I'm going to take a small nap. Will you be ok with that?"

Sophie made herself nod, even though she wasn't. She knew, her sister's time was up.

Amy nodded and closed her eyes. Sophie sat by her side. It was only a matter of time until her sister's chest stopped rising and falling with slow breaths.

Finally, she let out a choked cry. She couldn't make herself be strong anymore.