DEVIANT [H.S.]

34 - For Us

Harry

When Tara was born, I was so happy. In addition to the love I had for my mother, it only grew for my little sister.

My mother died in her sleep one winter night after Tara was born. A brain aneurysm, the doctor said. I had to take up the role as father before brother. I changed her diapers, sang her to sleep, fed her when she was hungry. Everything seemed to be going well. We were good for five years. Five slow-moving years.

That is, until we went broke.

I packed our clothes and blankets, enough food for two weeks, and the little bit of money we had left. We were out on the street for a good year or two.

I had heard about the Protector Core trials and what they gave test subjects. Tara was seven, and I was seventeen. We had nothing more for us; no home, no family... just us.

I made the decision for both of us. Three days after we were injected, our symptoms started to show up. The Core took the liberty of throwing us on the street, again.

Only this time, we both had an illness.

Tara's came first, and I was so afraid for her. My symptom came gradually. It all started the same: Foggy vision, constricted throat, a pain wrapping itself around my head and pounding. Soon enough my vision would tint a dark red and my spine would feel like it was on fire.

I tried keeping my eyes open long enough to see Tara before blacking out.

I would always think of Tara through the pain. How much I taught her, how much I love her, and how I don't want to forget her.

At first, I didn't know what was happening to me. But when I woke up and didn't recognize the small girl with curly brown hair under my arm, I knew was my symptom was.

My heart hardened since my mom's death and the reveal of our symptoms. The only person I ever opened to was to my little sister. I openly showed her compassion and love because I wanted to. Anyone other than her, I was stone cold to.

At the same time, I was guilty for Tara's symptom. I didn't let her choose for herself when it came down to the trials. Whenever her symptom hit, I'd have to fight back tears or punching a hole in the wall. I felt so uncomfortable in my own skin. I wanted it all to end.

Soon enough, resentment for the Protector Core grew. Anyone associated with Jeriah Vaughn, even his so-called gorgeous daughter, was an enemy. Alcohol was a coping mechanism as I weaved in and out of my symptom, and I blamed the world for it.

Now, my whole mindset about life, enemies, and love has shifted dramatically. In my twenty years of life I never thought I would feel at ease again. I always believed that nothing would be peaceful in me again. Or in Tara. As she has gotten older, she is much more smarter and attentive.

Then Serena came around.

At first, I didn't like her. I didn't respect her. Gradually, my feelings shifted and I decided that hating her would do me no good. I didn't understand what she was doing to me, making me question my motives and purpose, even the amount of emotion I emitted.

When she saved Tara's life, I was completely under her spell. I was, and still am, indebted to her. Saving Tara was what transformed me completely. I realized that I couldn't live without Serena, because she not only saved my little sister, but she also saved me.

Right now, as she's sleeping soundly on my chest, I notice that her mouth likes to part open and close while she breathes. She has a freckle on the top of her right hand, and her legs are sprawled and intertwined with my own. Her hair smells like the tropics and her eyelashes are beautifully long.