DIARY OF A CERTAIN STORIES

HOW MY BROTHER DIED

It was a cool autumn evening when I last saw my brother, Joseph. The leaves were turning shades of orange and gold, and the air was crisp with the promise of winter. I remember being in the living room, curled up on the couch with a book, when Joseph burst through the front door, his face flushed with excitement.

"Anna! Come on! You've got to see this!" he shouted, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Joseph had always been the adventurous one. He was five years older than me, and his sense of adventure was contagious. He would often drag me along on his escapades, and I would follow him like a shadow, eager to be part of his world.

"What is it?" I asked, setting my book aside.

"Just come on! You'll love it!" he insisted, practically bouncing on his heels.

I followed him outside, where he led me to the edge of the woods behind our house. There, he had set up a makeshift rope swing hanging from a sturdy branch.

"Look!" he exclaimed, swinging out over the ground, his laughter ringing through the air. "Isn't it amazing?"

I watched in awe as he soared through the air, feeling a mix of admiration and envy. I wanted to be as brave as he was.

"Your turn!" he called, and I hesitated for a moment before climbing onto the swing.

With Joseph's encouragement, I let go of my fears and swung as high as I could. The wind whipped through my hair, and for a brief moment, I felt invincible.

But that was the last moment of joy I would feel for a long time.

As the weeks went by, Joseph and I spent more time together, exploring the woods and creating our own adventures. He taught me how to climb trees, catch frogs, and even build a fort. I idolized him, and he was my hero.

But as autumn faded into winter, something changed. Joseph started spending more time with his friends, and I felt the distance growing between us. I missed our adventures, but I understood that he was growing up, and that I was just a little sister.

One fateful day, Joseph came home with an idea that would change everything.

"Hey, Anna! I found this awesome trail that leads to a waterfall," he said, his eyes shining with excitement. "We have to go!"

"But it's getting cold outside," I replied hesitantly.

"It'll be fine! Besides, it's an adventure!" he insisted, and I couldn't resist his enthusiasm.

We set off together, bundled in our winter coats, the snow crunching beneath our boots. The trail was beautiful, the trees draped in white, and the air was filled with the scent of pine. I felt a thrill of excitement as we made our way deeper into the woods.

After what felt like hours of walking, we finally reached the waterfall. It was breathtaking, cascading down the rocks, surrounded by a frozen landscape.

"Isn't it amazing?" Joseph said, his voice filled with awe.

"It's beautiful!" I exclaimed, feeling a rush of joy.

But then, Joseph's adventurous spirit took over. "I want to climb up there!" he said, pointing to a rocky outcrop above the waterfall.

"Joseph, be careful! It looks dangerous!" I warned, but he was already scrambling up the rocks.

"I'll be fine! Just watch me!" he shouted, his laughter echoing in the cold air.

I stood at the base, my heart racing as I watched him climb higher. He was fearless, moving with agility and confidence. But as he reached the top, I felt a knot of fear tighten in my stomach.

"Joseph! Come down! Please!" I called out, but he waved me off, grinning from ear to ear.

"Just a little higher!" he shouted back, and I could feel panic rising within me.

Suddenly, I heard a loud crack, and my heart dropped. The sound echoed through the air, drowning out Joseph's laughter.

"Joseph!" I screamed, watching in horror as he lost his footing.

Time seemed to slow as he slipped, falling backward off the rocky ledge. I rushed forward, my heart pounding, but it was too late. He plummeted into the icy waters below.

"No! Joseph!" I cried out, my voice breaking.

I stood frozen, my mind racing as I tried to comprehend what had just happened. My brother—my hero—was gone in an instant.

I raced to the edge of the waterfall, peering over the side. The water churned violently, and I could see him submerged beneath the surface.

"Help! Somebody help!" I shouted, my voice hoarse with panic.

Moments later, a couple hiking nearby rushed to my side, and they quickly called for help. I remember feeling so helpless, tears streaming down my face as I waited for someone to save him.

When the rescue team arrived, they worked quickly to pull Joseph from the water. I watched, desperate and terrified, as they brought him to the shore.

But it was too late.

They tried to revive him, their voices filled with urgency, but I could see the truth in their eyes. I felt my world shatter as I realized my brother was gone.

The days that followed were a blur of grief and disbelief. Our house was filled with a heavy silence, a stark contrast to the laughter and adventures we once shared. I would sit in his room, surrounded by his belongings, clutching his favorite baseball cap, and wishing for just one more moment with him.

Mom and Dad tried to comfort me, but they were struggling too. The loss of Joseph weighed heavily on all of us. I could see the pain etched on their faces, and it broke my heart to know that we were all suffering in our ways.

As time passed, I found myself searching for answers, trying to understand how something so horrifying could happen. I replayed that day over and over in my mind, wishing I could change the outcome.

"Why didn't I stop him?" I whispered to myself, the guilt gnawing at me like a relentless ache.

I started avoiding the woods, the memories too painful to bear. I couldn't face the place where my brother had taken his last breath. Instead, I buried myself in schoolwork, hoping to distract myself from the reality of my loss.

But no matter how hard I tried, the memories of Joseph lingered. I would see his face in the crowd at school, hear his laughter in the wind, and feel his presence in the quiet moments. He was everywhere and nowhere all at once.

It wasn't until a year later that I found the courage to return to the woods. I walked the familiar path, feeling the weight of my grief as I approached the waterfall.

Standing at the edge, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting the cool mist wash over me. I remembered the joy we had felt that day, the laughter that had echoed through the trees, and the love that had bound us as siblings.

Tears streamed down my face as I whispered into the wind, "I miss you, Joseph. I'm so sorry."

In that moment, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I realized that while Joseph was gone, his spirit would always remain a part of me. He had taught me to embrace adventure, to face my fears, and to cherish every moment.

As I turned to leave, I noticed a small flower blooming near the edge of the waterfall, a vibrant splash of color against the stark white snow. It was a reminder that even in the depths of sorrow, beauty could still emerge.

With a heavy heart but a renewed sense of hope, I walked away from the waterfall, knowing that Joseph would always be with me.

As I left the woods behind, I carried his memory in my heart, a light that would guide me through the darkness.