Chapter 2

"She's not out of the woods yet," the doctor says. "She's in a coma."

"Again?" I ask breathily.

The doctor gives me a solemn look. "Yes. She's in critical condition and has minimal brain activity. We will continue to monitor her, but you should be aware that she may not wake up this time. She lost a large amount of blood, and the injury to her head fractured her skull."

"So—" I paused to breathe so I can control my emotions— "she could go into a vegetative state?"

"Yes. I'm sorry. I wish I had better news."

My body jerks from the experience of falling in my dream waking me up. I blink a few times until the fog clears and glance around the room, taking in my surroundings. I turn to the side, and my eyes lock on Josiah slouching on the chair across the room.

His head against the back of the chair, eyes closed, and hands clasped together, resting on his lap. Turning away from Josiah, an involuntary

whimper escapes my lips. The tears form as the memories come flooding back, drowning me in a sea of sorrow.

"Sade." My brother's broken voice rips through my chest. "I'm so sorry."

My eyes roam his face, tears streaming down his face, agony and defeat swirling in his eyes.

"For what?" I ask in confusion.

"For failing you. I couldn't save her." I hear the words catch in his throat. "I killed Dad." He wipes his tears with his fist.

"Jo, you didn't fail. It's not your fault."

He falls to his knees, clutching my blanket. My heart breaks at his words. He must know deep down that what happened to Mom is not his fault. But he took a life—our father's. I can't begin to imagine what he's feeling and what it will do to him in the future.

I brush my hands through his hair, providing the comfort he seeks. He quickly recovers and stands on his feet.

"I have to go, Sade." He says the words quickly.

"Wh-what do you mean?" Fear twist in my belly at the thought of him leaving.

Josiah wipes the remaining tears away and rubs his forehead. "I can't stay. After what I've done, I can't." He cries some more, begging me to let him go, but I'm selfish. I can't let him leave.

"Jo, don't do this. You can't keep running away. Please. Stay. We need you."

Josiah stares at me for what feels like forever until he surrenders the urge to fight me.

"Ok, Sade. Ok." His smile is weak—a new problem for tomorrow. But for now, we make peace and take comfort in one another for the loss of our father and mother and the day Josiah lost his way the moment he pulled the trigger.

I move over, allowing room for Josiah to climb into bed with me. My head rests on his shoulder, and his body relaxes.

My eyelids become heavy, and I fight to stay awake, but the pain medication starts to work its magic.

"Jo?" I let out a yawn.

"Yeah, sis?"

"Please be here when I wake up."

Silence.

Dread surges through my body.

A few minutes later, he says, "Yeah, I'll be here. Go to sleep." He rubs my head and kisses my forehead.

A relaxed smile forms on my lips, remembering how we would lay together as children until one of us fell asleep.

Releasing another yawn, I give in to sleep, but not before I hear Josiah say, "I love you." He kisses my head. "Always."