The Moon Shines when the Sun Isn't Around

Part 38

King stood alone in Rainas Hospital room, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him like a heavy fog. His mind was a chaotic storm of emotions, swirling memories of past pain and present despair. He glanced out the window, the sun setting beyond the horizon, casting a warm glow that contrasted starkly with the chill in his heart.

"Why can't I just be happy?" he muttered to himself, running a hand through his long dreadlocks, his fingers trembling slightly.

As Raina awoke, she took a seat on the edge of her bed, her expression a mix of concern and love. "You've been really quiet lately. Is everything okay?"

King forced a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Just tired, I guess."

Raina narrowed her eyes, not buying his excuse. "You know you can talk to me, right? I'm your sister. I'm here for you."

"I know," he said, looking down at the floor. "It's just... everything feels so heavy. Like I can't breathe sometimes."

Raina reached out, placing her hand on his knee, her touch grounding. "You don't have to carry it all alone. Talk to me. Please."

King hesitated, the words clawing at his throat. "It's hard to explain. I feel like I'm stuck in this dark place, and no matter what I do, I can't find my way out. I see you and Oreo, and everyone else... and I just feel... lost."

Raina's brow furrowed in concern. "King, it's okay to feel lost. We all have our battles. But you're not alone in this. You've always been the strong one. Let us help you."

"Strong?" King scoffed bitterly. "I feel anything but strong right now. I've been thinking about... about giving up."

Raina's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean?"

He swallowed hard, tears brimming in his eyes. "I can't keep pretending I'm okay when I'm not. I wish it had been me instead of you that day. I can't shake the feeling that I'm not worthy of this life... of this happiness. I see you in pain, and it kills me."

Raina shook her head, her voice trembling. "King, don't say that. You matter so much to me, to everyone. You're my twin; we're in this together. You have to fight."

He looked at her, feeling the weight of her words. "But what if I can't? What if I'm just a burden? I don't want to hurt you or Oreo or anyone else."

"Burden? You're not a burden. We love you! You're so important to us," Raina insisted. "Please, don't shut us out. Talk to me, to Oreo. Let us in."

King felt a flicker of hope in her words but quickly snuffed it out. "What if it's too late for me? What if I'm just destined to feel this way?"

Raina's voice grew softer, filled with empathy. "It's never too late, King. You have to believe that. We can get through this together. But you have to open up and let us help you."

King felt the walls closing in, the suffocating despair threatening to swallow him whole. "I don't know how," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Suddenly, the sound of laughter floated through the window, pulling King from his thoughts. He caught a glimpse of Oreo and some other friends down below, enjoying the sunshine. A pang of longing hit him, making him ache to join them, to feel normal again.

"Maybe... maybe I'll try," he said finally, looking back at Raina, trying to summon a small flicker of determination. "But I can't promise anything."

"Just take it one step at a time," she encouraged, her grip tightening around his knee. "And remember, I'm here. You're not alone."

As Raina left the room, King felt the lingering warmth of her words. But just as quickly, that warmth was overshadowed by the darkness creeping back in, wrapping around him like a familiar shroud.