1 Chapter 1

A tear streams down my face and another follows. Sweat drips down my face as I gasp for air. I stare at Susie's almost lifeless body. Her arms and legs twitch. As I wipe away my tears, I stand up and grab her legs before sliding her body across the room to the backyard and across the backyard. I continue until I reach the shack. Knocking on the door, I wipe some of the sweat streaming down my face and wait for him to open the door.

My eyes open and I gasp for air as I sit upright on my bed. I look around the dark room and decide to grab some water. I throw off the blankets and stand up before slipping my feet into my comfy blue slippers. I shuffle towards the door and open it. I continue to walk towards the kitchen. Once I reach the kitchen I open a cabinet and grab a glass cup. I set it on the counter and close the cabinet. I fill the cup with water and chug it. Setting the cup down, I wipe my face of water and lean against the counter.

"What's keeping you up?" I hear a familiar voice ask before seeing my brother walk into the kitchen from the hallway.

My eyes widen at the sight of him and I feel the fear stir in my stomach,"Oh… I-I just had a dream."

"A bad dream?" My brother asks and gives me a closed eye smile.

I stare at his smile and can practically hear my heart beating in my chest,"O-Of course not…"

"Oh really? Then what type of dream was it?" My brother tilts his head and walks towards me.

I lean against the counter even more and avert my eyes away from him,"Just a dream that awoke me…"

My brother gives me a hug and says,"You know you can tell me anything. We're brothers after all."

I take a breath in and answer,"I know."

He pulls away and gives me a toothy grin.

I smile back, but don't look at him.

"Well, get some sleep. I'll be going to bed now too!" My brother yawns, ruffles my hair, and starts to walk away.

"I will," I answer and watch as he walks into the hall.

Liar… I think to myself and sigh. I look around in the dark.

"I think… I'll go get some sleep," I mumble and walk towards my room just to hear crying coming from my room.

I open the door and see my sister sitting on my bed, staring at her hands.

"Um… what's wrong?" I ask.

"Oh goodness!" My sister looks up from her hand and runs to me, embracing me into a hug,"You're not dead~!"

"What..?" I stare at the wall blankly,"Since when am I dead?"

"Y-You disappeared! I thought I killed you~" My sister mutters and a tear streams down her face.

"I went to grab water. Why would you even think that in the first place?" I ask.

"My hands are scary things. They have a mind of their own." My sister shakes her head.

"Right~" I mutter and look at the floor as my sister steps away from me.

I forgot that… my sister is mentally ill, I think.

My sister sits on my bed and I sit next to her.

"Well, have you been going to your counseling sessions?" I ask, concerned.

"Of course~ It's really helping my fear of my hands~" My sister smiles before suddenly frowning.

"That's good. And have you-" I start, ignoring her frown.

"Did you do it today?" My sister ask.

My eyes widen and I stare at my slippers.

"Judging by your face… you did." My sister mutters and gives me a concerned face,"Are you okay?"

"What? Of course I'm fine! I should be asking you that! You should get sleep…" I yell.

"I guess that's true. Well, goodnight~!" My sister stands up and waves as she walks away.

I shiver although it's not cold and let myself fall on my bed. As I lay in bed I think of my brother and how sweet and caring he is to people.

I look at the picture of my brother, my sister, and I all sitting on the little hill in our backyard. I stare at my sister, her arm over my shoulder protectively as she smiles at the camera. Then my eyes move to my brother who is holding his baseball bat in one hand and he smiles brightly at the camera.

I grit my teeth and think, 'brother… you horrible hypocrite…'