Leaving

Malachi took shaky steps to reach his sister, and every move forward seemed like it required a monumental effort and would pull his legs out from underneath him.

"Aubrey..?"

The young girl's eyes fluttered open and she found her brother coming closer quietly as if he was afraid to spook her.

"Hey… I'm real glad to see that you're up and about now."

"Y-You…"

"Aww, don't be so dramatic… I just have a little flu is all. It's not as scary as it looks."

The words that were meant to give her brother consolidation failed to do just that. 

Malachi sat on the bed beside his sister and pulled down her covers just a bit. 

Her arm was heavily bandaged, and he slowly unwrapped it to reveal a horrible wound that looked like it was already terribly infected. 

"D-Don't look, it's gross!" Aubrey yelled. 

"Aubrey... shush."

Malachi placed his palm over the horrendous wound and closed his eyes.