Crestfallen

Katie

The house had been quiet ever since the war ended. There were three people living in the confines of a commoner's home. Katie had been sleeping on the floor in the main room so Matt had plenty of space. He needed it. She was lucky enough to have him in her life so she wasn't complaining. Her bed didn't seem like such a bad sacrifice if it meant her brother turned out alright.

The aftermath of the war shook the Holt household. They lost a father and a husband to whom they weren't able to pay their respects to. All their time and money had gone into the care and well being of Matt so supplies had been short for a while, and after Shiro had stopped coming to visit, Matt refused to leave his room.

Katie had been doing her best to keep his wound clean but it still managed to get infected. Sometimes it was so bad that Matt passed out from the pain. He was lucky it didn't pierce his heart or organs but the gash was hard to contain and he lost a lot of blood on the battle field. Over the first few months his condition improved but the disappearance of Shiro took a toll on his progress. He stopped eating and slowly let himself wither away.

Today, Katie had started off her morning like any other. She made breakfast and took it up to Matt, watching him take every bite and making sure he swallowed before reapplying a clean bandage. He winced but gave her a warm smile that she did not return. She looked at him coldly, angry with him for letting his health decline. 

"Oh come on, Katie. Don't give me that look." He coughed. Katie crossed her arms, sticking her nose up.

"You're not allowed to tell me how to feel. Look at yourself." She said, moving the covers back over his tiny body. "You're skin and bones. I can see your ribs and your cheeks are hollow. Why must you do this to yourself?" Katie grabbed a chair and sat down, the cracked wood creaking under her weight. She looked at the ground, lip quivering. "I know he hasn't come to see you in a while but...with the way you are now he'll never be able to look you in the eyes." Matt's smile fell. "It's painful to see how far you've let yourself go. Mother has begun to count the days you have until you take your last breath. I've started wondering if you'll ever come out of this dusty room."

"You shouldn't be worrying about me, Katie. I put myself into this situation."

"No! No, Matt! That's not an excuse! We already lost our father to the hands of the enemy!" She screamed. "I can't stand to lose you too." Katie looked up at Matt, tears now streaming down her face. "I say this everyday and yet you stay in this horrid house. If you would let this wound heal then you would be able to see Shiro as much as you want." She rested her head in her hands, sobbing into her palms. Matt's eyes darkened.

"He doesn't want me anymore. Why would I desire to see someone who has abandoned me?" Matt said, hands closing around his blanket. He shook, fingers squeezing the fabric tightly. Katie stopped crying, anger mixing in with the sadness.

"Is that what you believe? Matt? He's suffering just as much as you are. He not only lost his arm but he's lost you too. Where did the Matt I knew go? Where's has the fight gone? He's not here because he can't stand seeing you like this. Are you that dense?" Katie stood up, leaning over Matt. "He thinks it's his fault that you were injured. He blames himself." Matt's eyes widened and he looked away, refusing to make eye contact."Which is why he's rejoining the guard. He wants to be able to protect anyone and everyone he can even if it means he dies in the process." Katie growled, grabbing the plate and walking towards the door.

"He's done everything for you and you don't even have the decency to save the life he has protected." She slammed the door, leaving a bewildered Matt to his thoughts.

Katie hurried to the kitchen, setting the dishes on the counter. She couldn't stand this anymore. Katie knew he was in pain but now he was just being selfish. She missed her brother.