The Other Side Of Me [Sequel to Faen's Child]

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Before…

“Will you let him die?” He had asked me, red eyes staring straight at me, straight through me. I was tracking the route of a condensed waterdrop running down the side of the cup, trying to forget my reality. But how was that possible?

“I love him, I want nothing but the best for him.” I reply, knowing that I wasn’t answering the question, because I didn’t know the answer myself. Was letting him die –killing him, even –the best for him? There was no way for him to escape his fate, but will I make him suffer, but live longer? This was like euthanasia, but the problem was that I loved him so much.

“You’re not answering me and you know it. Whatever choice you make, you have my respect, and I am sure you have the respect of everyone. Your parents will be heartbroken, but we can help soften the blow. What is important is your decision.” He informed with little emotions.

“This is his life, we should let him choose.” I tried to evade the question again –an annoying habit of mine when I was conflicted. Still, he understood me –as he had always done. He didn’t look so old, but his experience was a thousand –a million, even –times of my own, and his advice were golden.

“Darling, you know him. He has a desire to keep everyone safe despite himself. Why else is he punishing himself now? Why else does he hold on with such determination? He’s a honey, but we know his answer without even reading his mind.” His wife put in gently, placing a hand on mine, as if trying to comfort me. I needed all the strength I could get, and I had always considered them my second parents. In a way, technically, they were.

“I know… but…” I put my face in cupped hands, not knowing what to do.

“I know this is a risk, but this is a chance we have to take. We love him too, and we don’t want him to die because of this. He already has had a wretched life; we don’t want to make it worse. If this goes right, we could save him and the rest at the same time. If not… then at least the Faens know to acknowledge their savior. Raun will be remembered for life.”

My conflicted feelings amplified by his careful explanation, telling me things I already knew. But how could I do it? No matter what happened, I was still a Faen’s Child. Yet, no matter what, I was still his sister. This was my brother we were talking about. My little precious brother who loved me so much he was willing to give himself up for my job. I needed to fulfil my duty as a Faen’s Child, but I needed –more than anything –to be his sister. Raun had lost me for long enough, and just as he were returning to my side, he had to be stolen away from me so ruthlessly?

I remembered his youthful laughter and screams of delight during the times we played when I was still an all-unknowing girl. I remembered the many times he screamed my name like I was the largest present under the Christmas Tree. I remembered those things like it was just yesterday.

“I’ve failed him as a sister… How can I protect the community when I can’t even protect my own brother?” I moaned, feeling my heart break again.

I heard a distant knock on the door, but didn’t bring my head out of my hands when the door opened.

“Father, we-” Treyon’s words were cut off when he saw me, and he didn’t seem to be able to continue with his words. Quiet footsteps made over to my side, and the couch sank under a new weight. A familiar scent wafted over me, and I leaned into his embrace as he pressed me against his chest, trying to take me in his strength, his warmth. I loved that he was helping me through this hard times, but I could not muster enough strength at the moment to love him back, for I was too busy fretting over my brother.