Chapter 3
The candle’s weak glow flickered against the walls, shadows stretching long and eerie. Naya sniffled, wiping at her damp cheeks.Serena exhaled slowly. She felt Naya’s eyes on her, but she didn’t turn.
Naya Caldwell (8)
You could have told her more gentle
Serena Caldwell (15)
It wouldn't have changed anything
Naya Caldwell (8)
She's only three, She doesn't understand.
Serena finally looked up at her younger sister
Serena Caldwell (15)
And what would you have me say? That they'll be back? That this is all just a terrible dream? ❄️
Naya Caldwell (8)
*Flinch*
Naya was shocked by her elder sister's cold tone, the sister that was always so sweet and always smiling was now like a dead body, no emotion in her eyes, she swallowed , but said nothing more, She knew Serena was right
The storm outside raged on, wind howling through the trees, rain hammering against the windows. Inside, the air was thick with grief, pressing down on all of them.
Serena exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over her face as she stood. The wooden floor creaked beneath her steps, but Naya didn’t look up. She stayed seated beside their mother, whose breath came in weak, uneven intervals.
For a moment, Serena hesitated. Naya’s fingers curled around their mother’s frail hand, holding on like she could anchor her there, keep her from slipping further away. The sight twisted something deep in Serena’s chest, but she couldn’t stop now.
She stepped out of the dimly lit room, the candle’s glow fading behind her. The hallway was cold, the storm’s howling wind slipping through unseen cracks in the old house. She passed by the empty rooms—their rooms. The ones that once belonged to Theo and Isaac. Her throat tightened, but she pushed forward.
At the end of the hall, She reached Kaylen's door. It was slightly ajar. She nudged it open further and stepped inside.
The small room was cast in shadows, the only light coming from the pale moonlight breaking through the rain-streaked window. Kaylen lay curled beneath a thin blanket, his breathing uneven. Even in sleep, his small body trembled, his face turned toward the pillow, damp with tears.
Serena’s heart clenched. She lowered herself onto the edge of the bed, careful not to wake him. His face was blotchy, his cheeks streaked with dried tears.
She brushed his damp curls away from his forehead. His nose wrinkled slightly at the touch, but he didn't stir.
Serena Caldwell (15)
I'm sorry.....
She didn’t even know who she was apologizing to—Kaylen, for having to bear this pain at such a young age. Their mother, for not being able to do more. Theo and Isaac, for not being able to save them.
The storm raged on outside, rattling the windowpanes, but inside, Serena stayed still, listening to Kaylen's uneven breaths, willing herself not to cry.
The storm raged on outside, rattling the windowpanes, but inside, Serena stayed still, listening to Kaylen's uneven breaths, willing herself not to cry.
Author
Damn mom almost cried while telling.
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