Remembering the Lost Brother
The Strange & Unusual Universe of Silver Moon Unicorn
(This is a story from the planet of Venus in its early days. A small colony just struggling to survive away from the home planet of Earth. —Silver Moon Unicorn.)
She was a mere child again and lying in bed, afraid to sleep because that man was in the house again. Gerri knew it wasn’t her father. In fact, she wasn’t sure who her father was.
She heard Ryan get up to go to the bathroom. It wasn’t unusual. Still, that man was in the house and Gerri knew that she should be quiet, lest he found her. But Ryan had to go and there was no way to hold it for long. He tried to run back to his room before he came out of the bathroom, but it was too late. Gerri heard the man grab her brother and drag him outside. Why wasn’t their mother doing anything about it?
Gerri clenched her rabbit tighter as she tried to block out her brother’s screams. They only got louder and louder. Gerri sat up and never let go of her rabbit. Tears streamed down her cheeks because she knew what was happening and she wondered where her mother was and why she didn’t intervene. It was her son. It was her son.
Gerri got out of her bed and walked over to her bedroom door. She opened the door slowly and peered out into the hallway. It was completely quiet by that time. Seeing no one, she ventured out into the hall. Carefully and still holding onto her rabbit, she made her way to her mother’s room. As she walked, she could see blood on the floor. She trembled and she kept walking. Finally, she reached her mother’s room and opened the door. It was dead quiet. Was her mother even alive? She kept walking to the bed where her mother was clearing lying and found that indeed, her mother was still breathing and crying softly.
The mother didn’t notice Gerri’s approach since the child was so quiet. “Mommy, are you alright? Why didn’t you help Ryan?”
“Gerri, go back to your room. We can’t do anything for Ryan. He knew better than to leave his room while my client was here. Just go back to your room before something happens to you as well.”
Gerri hesitated and listened for the man. It was still eerily quiet. She walked out of the room and back into the hallway. The blood was still there. She walked passed her room and over to the fresher. There was more blood, but no sign of the man or her brother. She kept walking until she reached the stairs. There she stopped and listened for any sign of life in the house. It wasn’t long before she heard the man shouting unintelligibly and then a door slammed. She heard him stomp away from the house. Once the man was gone, she ran down the stairs to look for Ryan. She found him and almost tripped over him at the bottom of the stairs. He was bleeding badly and Gerri couldn’t help but to cry uncontrollably at the sight.
“Gerri, you found me. I couldn’t hold it, so I took the chance. Little Sis, just take care because I know you will do good someday and you will make things right. Just don’t give up on yourself.”
“Ryan, what should I do?”
“Just be patient, your hard years are coming. This is just the beginning.”
“But, Ryan, you’re hurt, shouldn’t I stop the bleeding?”
“No, don’t bother. It’s too late for me, but not for you.”
“No, Ryan, I don’t want to lose you!”
Ryan chuckled. “And here I thought you hated me for hiding your rabbit where you couldn’t reach.”
“I don’t hate you, but I was really upset about not being able to get my rabbit. Then you gave him back to me.”
“I’m glad you don’t hate me. Gerri, don’t ever give up on yourself.” Ryan remained quiet as he breathed his last breaths. Gerri was crying so hard that she hyperventilated and eventually passed out.
