The Last Glance

"You will become stronger than me, I'm sure of it," said Koori to me. He was a nice brother, he always gave me training to defend myself, even though back then I didn't know why I must defend myself, and from what. The day was beautiful, with orange colored clouds on the horizon, the shimmering light of the sun nearly sunk, and the breeze of the wind blowing my hair.

Koori stopped his lesson of swinging a pair of wooden sticks together, which we pretended as a sword. He looked very tired, and he walked toward me.

I smiled at him, as always, I never get enough of the training from him, it never feels enough for me, because I don't want to lose him.

"Are you tired?" Koori asked, to which I replied, "No, brother. I was just thinking,"

He swiped droplets of sweat from his forehead, "Thinking about what?" he continued to ask.

"I was just pondering about the future," I answered. From there, Koori's eyes turned blank, as if he remembered something horrible. But I didn't know what it was, he then tap me on my shoulder and said, "The future is on your hand, you can change it if you have the courage to do it,"

I always remembered his words until adulthood. Koori's legacy is always in my heart, it becomes a guidance for me when I'm lost.

We finished our training, and went home that evening to a warm dinner made by mother. Unbeknownst to us at that time, that training would be our last...

At home, we were greeted by the rest of the family, who had already gathered in the dining room. Mom has finished cooking, and prepared our food on the table.

"You two came at last," said dad, he glanced from his newspaper and smiled, "how was your training?" he then added.

"It went well dad, Kyuuto has begun to swing better," Koori swiftly answered, he was the most energetic in our family, in contrast to my oldest brother, Shin. He was cold, and rarely spoke. When I was little I always assumed that he hated me, or even speculated that Shin was not actually my brother.

"Good then," dad winked.

"Don't be too flattered," mom commented, she then sat on one of the empty chairs there. Shin then came from the other room, sat on another chair. "Well, let's eat. First, wash your hands, you two," mother pointed at us, and we went to do what she asked.

The dinner went well as always, but this one turned into something strange and uneasy, because as soon as he finished with his food, Shin looked stressed, he couldn't stop fidgeting his phone, and his eyes looked... pulsating.

"Let's go, Koori," he said suddenly. I forgot that tonight was the day they went to their first job. I didn't know what their job was, and why they go at night like that. That night, I had a strange feeling, I felt the presence of something... sinister.

Both of my brothers packed their bags, Shin didn't even look at me when he left, while Koori showed sadness through the look of his eyes, waved his hand and left.

"Well, it's time to sleep," said dad, who stood up from his chair. Mom smiled at me, but it was different, this time she was more radiant than ever.

I glanced at the front door, and walked slowly upstairs, where my room is located.

That night, I felt uneasy, I couldn't actually close my eyes.

...

After what felt like eternity trying to sleep, I heard the front door suddenly broke open, then I heard a loud bang from downstairs. I was too scared to peek from my bed. I heard someone talking while I hid under my blanket.

I heard mom cried.

I couldn't handle my curiosity, so I decided to get out of my room, and peeked through the stairs. I was horrified. The dining room was a mess, the table slashed in half, and blood splattered on the wall.

"Stand. Still."

I heard my father's voice in my head. This is weird.