Siblings

Meanwhile, at the abandoned house where Demian went hiding, the young girl woke up from sleeping on the bed. She's the youngest one. She looked at the other kids besides who are in deep sleep because of playing too much and realized that Pharis isn't with them. 

She slowly went down from the bed and walked towards the door. And as soon as she opened it, she saw Demian smiling at her. 

Demian felt her footsteps earlier so he immediately went to the door to check on her. 

"Goodmorning, young lady," he greeted her with a smile. 

"Where is sister?" she asked with an innocent-looking face. The young girl appears to be worried about Pharis. 

Demian scratched his head and smiled awkwardly. "She just went outside to buy something tasty," he explained and tapped her head. 

"But she is hurt, brother," she replied. 

"Well yeah but she can handle herself, don't worry!" he stated but that didn't remove the worry in her. 

"Let's go find him, brother," she told him and walked out of the room to head to the staircase. 

He let out a long sigh and uttered, "And you are going to leave your other siblings here?" 

The young girl stopped and looked at the room and pouted. "I can't leave my sisters and brother…" she whispered then she remembered Kiel. She's not aware of his death yet and thought about looking for him. 

She walked towards Demian and said, "Brother, can you help us find big brother Kiel?"

Demian paused because of what she said. He does not know who this Kiel is because Pharis didn't mention anything about him. 

"Who is he?" he questioned. 

"He's with us in the cage. He's our handsome big brother!" She said and beamed at him. "But then he left and didn't come back to us…" her emotion suddenly changed after saying that. "Will you help us brother?" 

Demian stared at the cute little girl in front of her. "How can I say no to that?" he thought to himself. 

"Alright--" he said but was interrupted by a boy behind him. 

"You don't have to, brother," he told him and gave him a weak smile. Demian looked at the sad boy confused. 

"But, brother, we have to save big brother Kiel!" the girl argued with the young boy. 

"We can't go back there… it's not safe," he told her. 

The girl's eyes became teary and exclaimed, "You don't love brother Kiel!" Then she ran back to the room to cry. 

"H-hey!" Demian was about to follow her when the boy held his arm to stop him. 

He looked at the boy and the boy shook his head sadly. 

"It's okay brother… let her be," he told Demian. 

"You should make up with her," Demian advised. "Don't worry, once Pharis is back, I will save your big brother," he assured him but the boy shook his head. 

He looked at the floor and said, "Brother Kiel is… brother Kiel is d-dead." He bit his lower lip to stop himself from crying. 

Demian's eyes dilated and held his shoulders. "How did you know about that? Did you see him?" 

The boy shook his head again. "I didn't see him again… that's why I knew he's already dead," he answered. 

Demian stared at him before speaking. "How can you assume that?" 

"I heard, the poison and acid of Pharis's mom has already been eating him from the inside. No wonder why he went back inside to save big sister Pharis until his last breath…" he stated and then beamed at him. "He is our hero." 

Demian couldn't do anything but stare at the boy. He must've been enduring the pain alone because he thinks that he is the oldest and he must bear it all. He thinks that he should be strong for his younger sisters. 

"Have you told the other girls this?" he asked. 

The boy shook his head. "No, I haven't., big brother. I don't know what to say to them because I'm sure they'll just cry." 

"So when are you planning to tell them?" 

"I don't really know…I don't want to hurt them." 

Demian let out a long sigh. "I understand that. Do you want me to tell them instead?" He feels bad for this young child. 

The boy immediately shook his head and said, "Please don't, big brother!" 

Demian sighed again. "Fine then. I respect your decision." 

He smiled at Demian and said, "Thank you big bro!" 

Demian just nodded at him and asked, "Are you hungry?" But the boy shook his head sheepishly. 

"N-no, I'm fine brother. You just fed us earlier," he answered. 

"I can feel your stomach growling though." 

The boy's cheeks blushed because of what he said and didn't say a word because of embarrassment. 

"He's a pretty polite and kind boy," Demian thought and told him, "Don't worry about it. Besides, I was only able to feed you burgers. This time I will give you a proper meal." 

"Oh that food was called a burger?" the boy asked innocently. 

"You didn't know?" Demian queried in surprise. He pondered, "That must be the reason why the kids looked so astonished with the burger earlier." 

The boy shook his head and replied, "It's our first time eating one and it is really delicious!" 

"What have you been eating in that place and how long have you been stuck there?" Demian asked. 

"We have veggies or salad everyday and medicine. I don't remember how long I've been there but I have few memories of my childhood playing with kids in the outside world," he stated. 

Demian felt bad for him as he feels lucky for being able to see and live in the outside world. He thought before that he had the worst life but hearing about the kids' proves him wrong. How terrible this kids' life must've been back there. 

He was about to ask the boy another question when he felt rushing footsteps to the house from the ground. Demian frowned and turned his gaze back to the kid. 

"Go inside the room with your sisters. Someone is coming. I'll go check it," he told him in a serious tone. 

"I will go with you brother," the boy replied. 

"No, your sisters need you. Stay with them," he said firmly. He doesn't know who's coming so he shouldn't put his guard down. If it was Pharis and she's rushing, the enemies must've been after her. 

He went down stairs to check the window without making any sounds and there she saw Pharis rushing inside the house. Demian felt worried that something might've happened on her way so he immediately approached her when she came in. 

"What is it? What is happening?" 

Pharis' breathing is heavy because of running. She can feel her body hurting but it is not her concern now after learning the truth that is hidden in the flash drive. 

"Tell me!" Demian exclaimed. 

She didn't answer him and then she rushed to the wall where the portraits are placed. Pharis brushed her hair as she stared at the portrait of the young girl on the wall. 

"I can't believe this," she blurted out as sweat dripped down her forehead. "It's her…" 

Demian, who is extremely confused, went beside her and asked again, "What is it? Why won't you tell me? Is the enemy following you? Should we leave now?" 

"Shut up!" Pharis exclaimed in frustration. 

"Just tell me!" Demian yelled back. 

"I fxcking have a sister!" she growled and looked at him. 

Demian shut up upon seeing her eyes fury. 

***