Aelburn (WATTY'S 2020)

.ten.°°

"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Holding Cell 23
Science Building
December 22nd, 2199

WILLOW

My body was numb, knees drawn to my chest and my chin pressed against them. My arms trembled as I held myself and stared at the unmoving figure across from me.

Talia was sitting on my bed, hand pressed against my back. "She'll be alright." She murmured softly for what seemed like the thousandth time. I still couldn't form a thought, a word, I couldn't even cry. I'd cried for about an hour when Lavender had been brought in, the plastic tube crammed down her throat making me lose everything I'd been holding in my stomach. Her temples, her chest and her neck were red, the electrodes that had been attached to her having burnt her skin.

I'd seen everything.

After Lavender had been taken from the room the night before, a entertainment holo had appeared from the wall and broadcast the events that had left her in this state. I'd seen her smile, her comforting the young boy and the way her body had convulsed, those beautiful golden eyes of hers rolling back into her and mouth opened in a silent scream as off screen cheers made my blood boil.

I'd almost tackled the men who brought Lavender in but making sure she was actually alive trumped every thought I had, rushing to my sister as soon as the doors were closed.

Now, it was night again, evident from the dim light our room was now lit by. I'd been sitting like this for a whole day but I didn't care.

I'd witnessed just what exactly my sister had been going through and I hated myself for making her go through it for as long as she had.

How could she smile at me like everything was okay when everyday she'd been going through hell?

The lights in the room flipped off and Talia stood, making her way to her own bed and pulling the sheet over her ghost pale calves.

"You care about her very much." Talia said and I barely managed to nod. "Why?"

"'Why'?" I croaked, suddenly very aware of how dry my throat was. "She's my sister."

"I don't care about my brother this much." She retorted. "Bonds are what lead to downfall. The last bond I had was ripped away from me and ended with me losing my only child."

"That's you." I murmured, hugging my knees tighter. "The bonds I have are what have kept me alive. Lavender and Jai and Aeraf...Lucas... everyone of them motivates me to survive. What's the point in living if you don't have bonds that help you grow?"

Talia chuckled. "The father of my child betrayed me and got me stuck in here. My bonds have only led me to pain. I mean, just look at you."

"I don't give a shit about your opinion." I snapped and Talia made a sound of surprise, as if she was actually shocked that I had raised my tone. "My bonds are the only reason I haven't ended my miserable life myself. You wouldn't understand the hardships I have been through but your shit bonds have nothing to do with mine. My family, my friends. They make me strong. So, unless you're offering a word of support or a magical way to make my sister better, shut the fuck up."