EMBERGLOW

my name is shin I'm 17 year old I always felt responsible for my parents' death. When me and my younger sister, Ayumi, were young I was 12 and she was 8, my parents told me we where moving, I started a tantrum because I didn't want to join a different school, as we argued I ran out the door,as I ran through the cold winter streets and felt the cold air hit my face, I ran as fast as I could until I got tired I found a back Alley,

and I spent the night there when I woke up,

I decided to go back,as I slowly walked back I saw police outside, I figured my parents called them to look for me, as I walked in I saw Ayumi crying,she ran into my arm's yelling "there gone" " who's gone" I said.

"They where in a accident" she said with years rolling down her blue eyes, I felt my heart drop,

as I latter figured out they got in there car to look for me, as they drived down the high way the went through a stop light, a semi trucks brakes failed and they crashed and died instantly, The accident took them away, leaving us to fend for our selves,

From that day on, i took on the role of parent and older brother, protecting Ayumi and making sure she had everything she needed. I worked hard to put food on the table, to pay the bills, and to keep are small home in order.

But all the while, a nagging voice in the back of my mind told him it was his fault, if he didn't run out they would still be alive.

That feeling of guilt stayed with me as the years passed. i distanced myself emotionally from my sister, afraid that i would somehow do her harm.

i refused to form any close relationships, afraid that i would cause heartache and pain.

But despite my efforts to protect Ayumi, i couldn't protect myself, One day, while rushing to a job interview, I was hit by a truck. As I layed on the pavement, feeling my life slipping away, all i could think of was Ayumi.

I wished I had been a better brother, a more loving and supportive presence in her life. i wished i had hugged her more, said "I love you" more often, and spent more quality time with her. i wished i had let go of the guilt and accepted that what happened was my fault.

But it was too late. As as took my last breath, my only regret was leaving Ayumi without the brother she deserved.