Look Behind You

Chapter 4: Regret

Mia was admitted to the nearest hospital in the area, a cheap run down one. Luckily, the man that helped them turned out to be one of the employees working in that hospital. He personally assisted the two to have a space in the public area because Reno doesn't want a private room as he was worried about it being too pricey. Lecter's call back did not come. As Mia was sleeping, Reno prodded the nurse that assisted them and asked how much their bill would be. The nurse told him to wait and stood up to go to the cashier. When he came back, he presented the bill to Reno. Thankfully, it was not that expensive. However, Reno has no money with him at the moment and asked if he could make a payment arrangement. The good nurse just smiled and waved him off and told him not to worry as he will be the one to take care off it.

Mia was discharged early evening and two were alone in Lecter's house. The older Reno watched his younger self helping Mia to her bed.. He fed her a cup of noodles and lulled her to sleep by singing a lullaby. He kissed her cheeks when he heard a slight snore from her sister and prepared to make a meal for himself when he realized that he still hasn't eaten since morning. The kitchen was just a room from Mia's so he got up and stretched himself. One of the cabinets has a can of sardines so he placed it in the table and proceeded to get the opener. He was almost finished opening the can when he realized that Lecter still hasn't made contact for the whole day. He rushed to his room and dialed Lecter's number. "Sh*t. Still voicemail. Where the hell are you?"

With his failure to contact Lecter, he surrendered and went back to the kitchen to eat. Thunder boomed outside and an intense rain fell down. The older Reno sat beside his memory and felt the chill on his spine when he remembered this precise part of his past. The rain pounding heavily on the roof and windows. Reno just shrugged it off and ate. After washing the dishes, he went back to check out on Mia before sleeping. Satisfied that she was tuck in for the night, he left the door ajar a little just like he used to everytime before he goes to sleep.

He was almost asleep when a frail voice called his name from Mia's room.

"Brother.."

He dropped his pillows and immediately rushed to her side. Her sickness was attacking once again, but to make matters worse, she was spewing blood. Her cough was very severe that she can barely speak up. The strong rain outside was barely audible. Reno immediately popped her inhaler and handed it to her but it was useless.The air in her lungs was always by exhalation so it's very difficult for her to breath normally.

"Mia! hang on, I'm gonna call for help. Stay with me please!" Reno tearfully said and broke into a run to get his cellphone and call an ambulance, and if possible, Lecter.

He managed to get it within seconds and dialed the emergency number for the hospital. It automatically disconnected. He tried it again.

"Dammit! No signal! F**k!"

Reno ran back to Mia's room and founder her barely conscious, barely breathing. Her sickness has finally taken its toll on her body. She was very frail and too fragile. The weariness on her face was very visible. Her pretty face has slowly turned gaunt as her sickness progressed. Reno wanted to scream. He wanted to shout and curse at this damned fate. Why is it that the only one that was left that cares for him had to suffer like this. Fighting his tears back, he cradled Mia in his arms. She was so cold to touch so he tuck her blankets tighter around her.

The rain slowly grew into a storm. The wind was battering the small window inside the room. The invisible Reno was nearby, watching silently as he recalls every moment of what's happening.

Mia was watching her brother with her sad eyes. She placed her hand on his face, caressing the face of the brother he loved. Reno did not hold back his tears anymore, they flowed freely from his eyes and down to her fingers.

"Reno."

"Yes?" His hands were shaking. He hugged her tightly, afraid of the fact that he already had an idea of what's gonna happen next.

"Promise me you'll be strong okay. You are strong. You always has been." she said while smiling. She reached out his hands and held them. They were comforting.

"M..Mia, you can't okay? You can't. I want you to fight. You can't leave me alone!" he sobbed.

"Thank you Reno. Thank you. I.. I'm so glad you were my brother. If I had to live another life, I will always want you to be there. I love you." She wheezed out. She was barely inhaling.

"No.. no.. Mia stay with me!"

"I'll always be with you. I promise." She said, and breathed her last. There was a hint of sincerity on her voice.

Her hands slipped from his. Her body softened. Her eyes closed with a smile on her lips. She was very peaceful. The older Reno looked at his sister, the only one left in the world that matters to him. He will not hear her voice, her teasing. He will never see that curve on her lips again. It was almost midnight, the storm still raging outside. His eyes stung. He could not believe it. Her inhaler dropped with a thud on the floor. Mia was dead.

Her name echoed amidst the storm.