~the undead Diaries~ (re-editing!!)

resolve

"Hey, Brodey! I'm just going to leave your plate here on the floor, right in front of your door," I called out, trying to keep my voice light and nonchalant. "Come get it whenever you feel like it. I'll be downstairs."

I hoped he would appreciate the gesture without feeling pressured to engage right now. With one last glance toward his closed door, I turned and headed back down the hall, the quiet thud of my footsteps the only sound accompanying me.

I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching the door, and I braced myself for his arrival. Moments later, the door creaked open, revealing him standing there with an irritable expression etched across his face. He reached out, swiftly took the plate from my hands, and then, without a word, slammed the door shut right in front of me. I could feel the tension in the air; he was upset, and while I understood his feelings, the forcefulness of the door slamming left a chill in my chest.

"Brodey, I love you! When you're finished, could you come downstairs and put the plate in the sink for me to wash? I'll be downstairs eating," I called out, my voice echoing slightly in the quiet hallway.

Turning away from the door, I began to walk down the hall, feeling the weight of the moment linger with me. As I reached the top of the staircase, ready to descend, I heard the sound of a door creaking open once again. My heart skipped a beat as I paused, half-anticipating what might come next.

"Brodey, is that you? Brodey!? This isn't funny, you know we agreed not to play these kinds of games anymore." My voice echoed down the dimly lit hallway, but the only response was the eerie silence that hung heavy in the air. I paused, straining to catch any sound that might give away his location, and it seemed to be coming from my room. A rush of anxiety washed over me. What-or-who or who could be in there?

With hesitant steps, I approached my door. Knocking softly, I debated whether it could be a zombie drawn by the sound, a purchase of my overactive imagination fueled by horror movies. Gathering every ounce of courage, I slowly turned the knob and pushed the door open.

There, in the center of my room, sat my younger brother, his grin stretching impossibly wide, almost like it could burst. "Oh my god, Bordey! Why would you do that? You seriously scared me! We talked about this, remember? Why pick my room instead of one of the other ones?" My irritation mixed with relief, but his devil-may-care attitude only fueled my annoyance.

He simply sat there, still grinning at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. Then, out of nowhere, he shot up to his feet and dashed over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. It was a comical sight, given that I was taller than him, and I found myself awkwardly bending slightly down to accommodate his embrace.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," he said, looking up at me with sincerity. His chin rested against my chest, the weight of it acting as a reminder of our sibling bond. "I just want to be there for you and comfort you when you need it. I don't want you to feel like you always have to worry about me."

His words hung in the air, heavy with sincerity, as I stood there, momentarily caught off guard by his unexpected vulnerability. The playfulness faded into something deeper, and I couldn't help but soften, realizing that despite the fright he gave me, he was genuinely trying to connect."I thought you hated me for not wanting you to be trained. 

What's caused this change of heart, short stack?" I asked, a wide smirk stretching across my face as I leaned against the doorframe. Brodey, however, didn't respond with his usual playful banter. Instead, he slowly turned away from me, heading to the bed where he sat down heavily, his gaze fixed on the floor, casting long shadows in the dim light of the room.

"Hey, what's wrong, bud? Why do you look so sad?" I questioned, my tone shifting to one of concern as I noticed the glistening tears pooling in his eyes. He finally looked up, and my heart sank as I saw the depth of his sadness reflected there.

Without a second thought, I rushed to him, dropping to my knees so that I was at eye level. I cradled his face gently in my hands, brushing away the tears that streaked down his cheeks with my thumbs. "Brodey, what's going on? I don't think I've seen you cry in such a long time. What's making you feel this way?" I pressed, my voice barely above a whisper, hoping to coax him out of the heavy silence that enveloped us.

For what felt like an eternity, he just sat there, staring down at the floor, lost in thought. His sadness was palpable, hanging in the air like a thick fog, and I wondered what burden weighed so heavily on him that he couldn't find the words to share it.

I tried to get him to meet my gaze, but he remained stubbornly focused on the ground, his head bowed as if it were too heavy to lift. After several moments of silence, he finally broke it, his voice barely above a whisper. "I want them back."

Confused, I asked gently, "What? Who's back, buddy?" My heart ached as I noticed his breathing becoming more rapid, each inhale a mix of anxiety and sorrow. "Brodey, who?" At last, he looked up at me, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, filled with a sorrow that weighed heavily in the air between us. "Mom and Dad. They are gone, and now we have no one." His voice broke, and panic crept into his breath, making it come in quick, shallow bursts.

Without thinking, I pulled him close, wrapping my arms around him in a tight embrace. "It's okay," I murmured, trying to soothe him. "They are in a better place now, and they are together. I'm sure they are looking over us as we speak. Remember, you have me. We may not have anyone else, but it's you and me, always. Okay?"

He slowly pulled back from the hug, his face still streaked with tears, but I saw a flicker of understanding in his eyes. He wiped his cheeks with the back of his hand, trying to regain his composure. "I love you," he said earnestly, his voice steadier now. I smiled warmly, feeling a warmth spread through my chest despite the sadness. "Love you too, buddy," I replied, knowing that together we could face whatever came next.