Promised

Chapter 3: New Life

Victor tried to calm himself down and concentrate.

"It's coming from the left...is that Mom's bedroom?" he followed Hannah's cry.

Don't worry, Hannah, I'm coming for you.

As he carefully made his way to the room Hannah was in, he spotted her and nothing else besides the blinding flames.

"Bwadar!" Hannah immediately hugged him. Victor hugged her back. Soon he let go and leaned down to her eye level, with a reassuring smile.

"Hannah, are you hurt?"

"Hana woz so swared!"

"It's okay, I'm here now. There's no need to be afraid." Victor stood up and turned around. Hannah was facing his back. Victor grabbed her hand, while Hannah's other hand grabbed his clothes.

"Follow closely, and don't let go." Victor said.

"Un." he heard her reply, and it reassured him.

I don't feel like dreaming anymore.

As he took his first step, and then a few steps further and further, he heard a menacing laugh from behind his back.

"Hannah!" he quickly turned around and hugged her tightly, with her face on his chest so she wouldn't see anything.

"Who goes there?!" Victor demanded an answer.

Another laughter came which shook Victor's whole body. He quickly let go of Hannah in terror and backed away from her.

"Bwadar? Whas wong?" Hannah asked innocently.

"Ahh...ahhh." Victor's face showed visible horror and his breath was heavy.

Seeing her older brother like this, Hannah started to cry again.

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaah! Bwader's afwaid of Hana!!!!!" she turned around.

Was it my imagination?

Hannah was going back to where Victor had found her just a bit earlier.

Is she.... crying....? Laughing?

Victor forced himself to calm down, thinking he was just getting delusional and quickly approached Hannah.

"I'm sorry, Brother's sorry! I shouldn't have acted like that in front of you, you must have been scared. I'll definitely get you out of here. I won't leave you alone now."

"Pwomise?" Hannah said weakly, and then held out her fifth digit.

Victor returned the gesture, and connected his little finger to hers. "Promise of a lifetime."

Hannah rubbed her eyes and tried to smile. Her smile was weak, but it brought a smile upon Victor's face.

I won't doubt you again. You are my cute little sister after all.

Having cleared his mind, Victor once again gripped her hand tightly. Now as they stroded forward, Victor heard no menacing laugh.

I was getting delusional after all.

He felt as if he was the freest person on Earth, able to take on storms after the lull, and rage through hurricanes as if he was just rowing past the horizons. He felt as if he could see the Sun for a long time without blinding himself, and as if he could embrace a Full Moon's shining, warm light forever and ever.

Or was he seriously getting delusional because his hearts were feeling much more reassured? This never-ending cycle of doubt on one's sanity would certainly make one insane.