Found You In The Basement ||Brightwin

4

Recap:

"Woah woah easy man! Welp. Win's not with us now"

"Huh? Why not? May I ask if you don't mind where is he?"
_

_________________________

"Um... he's gone."

"Oh... I'm sorry. But if you don't mind... could you tell me what happened?"

"He... died from lung cancer. Last year.

December 31, 2019, at 11:58 p.m.... just before New Year's Eve."

Bright's heart stopped. He blinked rapidly, unable to process the words. His hands shook, his chest tightened, and for a moment the world seemed to tilt.

"Oh... thanks. I'm really sorry," 

"By the way, you watched all the videos, right? There's still one CD left. Win told us about it—one he hid under his bed. I'm guessing that's your bed now."

"I'll check right now," Bright replied.

He crouched beside the bed and felt around. His fingers brushed something hard and cold. Pulling it out, he saw a cracked disc. His stomach sank.

He bolted downstairs, calling, "Mom! Mom!"

"Oh—hi, honey. What's wrong?" she asked, concern knitting her brow.

He held up the broken disc. "Mom... you can fix broken discs, right?!"

"I can try," she said gently. "Do you want me to fix it?"

He nodded quickly, handing it over.

______

An hour later, his mother returned, holding the repaired disc. She smiled softly and left him to it.

Bright slid the DVD into his laptop and pressed play. The boy on the screen appeared, his signature rabbit-like smile lighting up the camera.

"Sawadee krub... whoever finds these videos," Win began, voice calm yet tinged with sadness.

 "If you're watching this, then I guess I've decided to share my secrets. I made these videos for whoever ends up finding them."

"Enjoy your life," Win continued. "If you don't, you'll regret it."

Bright's throat tightened. He leaned forward, eyes fixed on the screen.

"I'm having a good year, even though my life is coming to an end," Win said softly. "There won't be a future me for much longer. So please... live well. Have no regrets. Do everything that makes you happy. Don't let anyone stop you from choosing happiness."

Win smiled weakly. "These discs... they're a part of my life now. They hold my everyday moments. And... I think I'm ready to tell you my most important secret."

Bright felt a lump in his throat. He clutched the edge of the laptop, holding back tears.

"I have lung cancer," Win said, smiling gently. "No one knows. And when I say no one, I mean no one—not even my parents."

Bright's hands fell to his lap. He couldn't breathe properly. His chest ached with grief. The boy he had admired, laughed with through the screen, shared simple joys with... was gone. Already gone.

"To whoever found these discs... thank you. If there even is someone," Win continued. "Can I ask one favor? Please... continue this vlog. Do it for your future self. And when the time comes... tell someone else to do the same."

"I think that's all... bye," Win finished, the screen fading to black.

Bright sat frozen, staring at the blank screen. The room was silent except for his uneven breathing. Tears ran down his cheeks, hot and unstoppable. He couldn't stop the images and laughter from the vlogs running through his mind. He had imagined so many things—playing games, teasing him back, maybe even meeting him someday. And now... none of that could happen.

He pressed his palms to his face, trembling. This is real. He's really gone. His fingers clenched the edge of the laptop as a sob escaped his lips. How could someone so full of life be gone so soon? What had his last days been like? Did he know people cared?

After several long minutes, Bright slowly exhaled, letting the reality sink in. A quiet determination bloomed in his chest. He would honor Win's wishes. He would live fully. And maybe... just maybe, he would find a way to make sure Win's joy and spirit didn't fade with him.

For the first time that morning, he felt a spark of hope amid the heartbreak. The world felt heavy, but he knew one thing: he could not waste the life he still had. Not after seeing someone make every moment count.

_______________

Cliffhanger. What will Bright do next? How will he honor Win's memory? You'll find out in the final chapter. Yes, it's still a short story—but sometimes, the hardest hits come in the smallest packages. 🖤