UnNatural

Ch 4: Not the Jobs they Wanted

Time had passed much faster than they had anticipated and suddenly it was night. They had gotten something to eat and now were ready to sleep, taking turns in the adjoining toilet to change into more comfortable clothes.

"Lucien, make sure you keep a bottle of water next to your bed. If you need it you won't need to move. If you need me for anything just wake me up," Lorelei began to recite out her list of tasks to her brother so that he could rest well without panicking. Somehow she felt uneasy being further from him than usual. At home they had had a bunk bed, with him on the lower bunk and her in the top one, close enough to watch over him for her own peace of mind.

He lightly ruffled her hair, messing it up more than it already was, "Lorelei don't worry, I'm just a few metres away from you. I'll be fine. You need rest. You'll tire yourself out just worrying about me."

Lorelei felt a light tap on her thigh and looked down to find Ember, "Don't worry I'll take care of him. He's my new brother so I have to take care of him. He has two sisters now," she smiled, holding up two fingers.

She looked so determined, the older girl couldn't help but smile back. She sighed, "Thank you. I'm sure he'll appreciate your help"

With that, Lucien and Ember walked to the larger bed, each laying down on their respective sides.

"Remember my special jacket is here if you need it," she whispered loud enough for him to hear.

Within minutes after her head touched the pillow, she was snoring peacefully, sound asleep.

"She has a new brother she says… Not gonna lie, I feel kind of betrayed," Mathias pouted.

In the two smaller beds facing each other lay Lorelei and Mathias.

"You think I don't feel…un-special not being his one and only sister?" Lorelei faked a frown.

"You worry quite a bit you know?" Mathias chuckled.

"I mean it's only fair. He's my brother, my responsibility. And if anything happens to him… it's my responsibility."

"I feel like he's not as fragile as you treat him."

"How would you know? You haven't spent almost every living moment with him. You wouldn't know," she tried to justify her protectiveness.
But honestly, he was most likely the only family she had left… and that scared her more than she could bear to admit. Losing him, it would mean she was alone in the world.

"I think I'm just scared…" she said so softly he could barely hear her, "if we really never see our parents again… he's all I have left."

She locked eyes with him and could see the same confusion in his eyes. He too was alone. Just him and his sister. And just her and her brother.

He suddenly let out a dry chuckle. "I thought I was the only one worrying and overthinking everything." He stretched his hand out gesturing towards her, "somehow you too…"

She tapped his hand with her finger, "It's hard not to," as she spoke, she traced her finger along the lines on his palm, "it's a new place, new people, new things to think about, new ways to act. Hiding. Looking for a job before I finish studying." Her finger paused."I never would've imagined half of this. It's all so sudden. All so strange."

"Mhm," he felt the movement of her finger tickle his palm. "I know what you mean."

Lorelei hid her face behind the blanket, her hand retreating, mumbling incoherent nonsense for a few seconds. He wondered what she was saying but thought asking would make no difference. If she had wanted to speak out loud she probably would've done so.