Can You Hear The Sea

The Sea

A short author's note before it begins | I was originally going to post this story a while ago. But I put it off because I did not like how I had originally written the story. I rewrote and rewrote till it got better. I hope you enjoy!

War makes people do ugly, unspeakable things. All in the name of what? Pride, government, territory, it doesn't even matter. People will go to war for anything, and it is terribly sad to see something be destroyed by these so-called 'wars.'

- - -

My brother has lost many things, and he has been injured a lot because of the war.

Just last year, both of his legs were heavily injured, and last week his eyes were injured. He's done so much for this stupid war, and he's just stuck in this stupid hospital!

Sometimes I hear the nurse's gossip about him, saying it's most likely that he will never be able to walk again. But I don't believe them, I know he'll be able to get back up and he will look at me with his bright smiling face again.

Sometimes when I hear him talk I'll start to tear up, but I can't cry in front of him. I have to be strong for my brother! Our parents left a long time ago, and he's taken care of me for as long as I can remember, so I cannot cry in front of him. I have to be strong enough until he's better.

I looked into my brother's hospital room; his chair was facing the rear room window. I was going to watch him for a little while longer, but he caught me watching him, "Are you going to come in, little Mai?"

I frowned, "Little Mai? I'm already 12!" I puffed out my chest an crossed my arms, giving my best 'you've offended me' stance.

He notices this and laughed, "you'll always be little to me, my little sister." He smiled and waved me over, "How was school today? Did you learn anything interesting? And what about your friends, I hear they are in the same class as you this year."

He was right, in my new year, I was able to be in class with my friends. I would have been happy if it were a few months ago, but now... I can't even live with my brother.

I didn't answer him for awhile and he nudged me a little, "Not doing so well, huh? I know thing's will get better, don't worry."

I looked at him, and somehow it looked like he was looking right back at me, even through his bandaged eyes. I began to cry and hugged him tight, "When will you be able to come back home? I don't like living with he auntie next door. She's nice, but I want to live with you!"

He didn't reply to me but returned my hug with an even firmer one.

"It'll be fine, the doctor's said I'll be out of the hospital in less than a week. Then we'll be able to go back to the house, okay?"

He patted my head slowly, and reassuringly. He's always been able to calm me down, even in the worst circumstances.

After my tears dried up, I left the hospital, saying goodbye to my brother.

The next day, I skipped school. I wanted to spend the entire day with my brother.

I walked into the hospital room, and I could see that he was still asleep. I crept closer to him, and laid next to him breathe, he sounded so peaceful.

He shifted and wrapped his arm around me, "What are you doing here? Don't you have school today?"

I turned away and looked out of the window, "I didn't really feel like going... so I came here instead." I waited for him to scold me, but he didn't. "I think mom and dad will forgive us if you don't attend one day, right?"