Children of Redemption (Children of Vice 3)

“I don’t want the same haircut as you.”

“You don’t have to get the same one as me.”

He frowned, crossing his arms and looking away. “Why do you get the cool one?”

It’s cool? “I can pick one for you,” I offered.

“I can do it.”

“Okay then,” I said, taking a bite of my soup, which really was good.

“Fine.” He sighed, and I looked to him, swallowing again. He took a deep breath and then smiled wide, pointing at me again. “You better pick me a cool one or…”

“Or what?”

“I’ll put mushrooms in your food forever.” He stuck his tongue out at me before getting off my bed. “I’m going to go get Dona, so we can watch a movie.”

“I’m supposed to be resting.”

“I’m supposed to be fishing, but you don’t see me complaining. So we’re watching a movie!” he yelled, marching to the door, slamming it behind him.

It was only when he was gone that I laughed.

He was so weird.

But kinda cool…

But I won’t ever tell him that, or he’ll just get a big head.

ETHAN

“Ethan!”

Lifting my head, I stared at her as she came toward me. She put her hands on my face and stared me in the eye.

“Wyatt? How is he?”

I just stared back into her eyes.

“Ethan?” She swallowed slowly. “Why are you not saying anything? Say something! How is Wyatt?! SPEAK!”

“Nana.” My voice was foreign even to me. It hurt to speak. “I promised my mother I’d never abandon him. That I’d never give up on him…and I did…I…I…abandoned…I abandoned my little brother and now he’s…he’s…”

My vision blurred as I stared at her. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach. Rising from my chair, I stumbled, trying to get away from her…I could barely see straight. Somehow…I managed to get into the bathroom. Holding onto the sink, the little that was in my stomach come right back out of me again.

Why?

Why couldn’t I do what I needed to do?

Why couldn’t I keep them safe?

When did I start to fall apart?

Looking to my own reflection, I didn’t recognize myself. Who was this failure? Who was this utter disappointment? Why did it have my face?

“You left your brother because of a woman?” I questioned my mirrored self. “WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!”

Slamming my fists against the glass, I screamed as if he could hear me, as if that would somehow bring him back.