Chapter 18 18
Chapter 18
My brother returned to Bleford and began handling the company’s affairs. He swiftly took over the Nash family and Carson’s companies.
A month later, news came that Irene and Carson had died. My father turned himself in with evidence of their crimes. I was stunned, unable to imagine the horrors they endured over the past month.
I knew my father well; in his younger days, he was notorious for his ruthlessness. The only tenderness he ever showed was to our family. My father was sentenced to death. He committed suicide on his way back to Bleford.
My mother’s ashes were sent to my brother. He calmly handled my father’s funeral arrangements, burying my mother and father together. Upon returning, he began transferring the company’s affairs to his most trusted assistant.
During the handover, my brother suddenly had an episode, mimicking the severe symptoms I used to suffer from. The assistant was terrified.
“Shane, what’s happening to you? I’ll call an ambulance.”
My brother wiped the foam from the corner of his mouth and waved his hand. “It’s an old condition. No need to call. From now on, the company is in your hands. Don’t let
me down.”
With that, he walked wearily back home. Only I knew that my brother wasn’t actually having an episode. He was experiencing the pain I once felt. He often mimicked my episodes at home.
“Caitlín, how much pain did you endure during your episodes? Caitlin, my sister.”
There was no response. He mimicked me over and over again, eventually collapsing in front of my photo album.
“Caitlin, can I see you one more time? You’ve been gone so long, why haven’t you appeared in my dreams?”
Chapter 18 18
“Do you hate me that much?”
I whispered into his ear, “Yes, I don’t want to see any of you.”
He repeatedly caressed my only solo photo, taken when I was nine. After our mother died, my father took some of the photos away. My brother tore up all my solo photos,
but this one survived.
I found it bitterly amusing. I laughed until tears streamed down my face.
“Brother, don’t you find it funny?”
“You all are so funny. Belated affection is worthless.”
My brother mimicked my episodes so much that he seemed genuinely ill.
Two years later, on that day, he walked alone to a cliff in a deserted area. He sat there for a long, long time, watching the clouds and murmuring to himself.
“Mom, Dad, Caitlin, I miss you all. I miss you so much. I want to see you.”
Then he jumped, a smile on his lips.
At that moment, my bound soul finally dissipated. In the last instant, I saw my brother’s soul. His pupils contracted sharply, and his lips trembled with excitement. He cried out as he rushed towards me.
“Caitlin…”
I smiled, turned away, and disappeared with the wind, never looking back at him again.
(The End)
