Where am I?
Did I... die again?
No. Not yet. I can't leave Minh alone in that world.
I tried to reach out, but I couldn't move. I couldn't feel anything. Come on, I cheated death once, I can fucking do it again!
Suddenly, I opened my eyes, my body jerking as my hand reached out to the ceiling. I took in as much air as I could, maybe a bit too much because I started choking. I coughed on that oxygen, gripping the blankets covering me and something else. I turned to my right and saw Minh sleeping next to me, holding onto my hand. After that, I calmed down a little, gripping his hand as I sat up. The room I was in looked like an infirmary, and probably was.
I just stared in silence, putting my hand on my left shoulder. I got a new change of clothes, but I could feel bandages wrapped around my shoulder. Nothing hurt, I was breathing, I could feel my body, and Minh's right here.
Suddenly, I heard a groan and felt a squeeze on my hand. I turned to Minh, watching him lift his head as he rubbed his eyes. He yawned, before looking at me. He didn't talk, he just stared for a few seconds. Then his eyes widened, and I could feel his hand squeeze mine. I opened my mouth to speak, but Minh jumped on me, wrapping his arms around me in a tight hug. I let him, staring at the ceiling. I felt kinda numb, like I was in a dream or something.
Then Minh spoke, "Never do that again. Ever."
With that, my vision blurred, nose stinging as I started to cry.
I'm alive.
I survived.
I didn't die.
I hugged him back, crying into his shoulder for a while. After, I punched his back, sniffling.
"Get off, you're crushing my chest."
"What chest?"
"Ugh?!" I huffed, punching him harder.
He yelped, pushing himself off of me as he flicked my forehead.
"Ow! Fuck you, I almost died you asshole!"
I pushed him, a smile spreading on my face, and punching his chest. Of course, I didn't hit that hard. I almost died yes, but it didn't mean my heart died instead of me. Plus, how am I gonna make him trust me so I can sacrifice him for later?
Just as the hair-pulling started, there was a knock at the door. We stopped mid-pull, turning our heads to the door. There, was Emily, in a red military uniform- but with shorts, standing in the doorway, holding a tray. She had that usual deadpan kind of face, kinda like Minh's, except I can't read her. What I did know though, was that she was probably judging us.
I glanced at Minh, then at Emily, waving at her.
"Hey Emily, how you doing? I thought you were still on the ship by now..."
I smiled to mask my shame, my voice getting quieter after the first sentence.
Emily stayed silent for a moment before answering.
"I was moved."
Why does she always do that? It's like she's judging if I'm worthy of her answer or not. My self-esteem is already in the shitter, I don't need a thirteen-year-old judging me on top of that! Wait, she said she was moved, that explains the costume change. She kinda looks cute in red. If she didn't stare at me like I was some hobo, I'd think she was really cute. Like a loli, but not in the weird way.
Anyway, I sat up, Minh scooting away, but was still sitting next to me. I still stared at Emily, watching her look between us.
Are you two usually like this?" She asked.
I opened my mouth to answer, but Minh beat me to it.
"Yeah, problem?"
"... Nah," she answered.
"Cool," he nodded, throwing a thumbs up at her.
Emily nodded back, giving her own thumbs up as she walked in.
... Am I missing something?
I stared at Emily, then Minh, both of them staring at each other. Emily stopped in front of us, tossing the bottle in her hand.
"The injury should be fully healed, but there's a high chance that she could develop phantom pain. Make sure she takes two pills in the morning."
"Alright," Minh nodded, putting the bottle in his pocket.
But then Emily suddenly turned to me, looking a little more pissed than usual.
"And you."
I flinched, staring at Minh for help, but he shrugged, pretty much saying: not my problem. My brother is a snake! A fucking snake!!!
"Y-yeah?"
Emily had her signature pause before speaking, "When you recover fully, the city lord wants to meet with you. Be prepared."
Then she turned her stare at Minh again, " And you'll be meeting with the captain tomorrow."
"'Kay."
"Cool," she nodded, turning away from us, walking towards the infirmary door.
She stopped at the threshold, turning her head to us, giving a moment of silence before saying a blunt bye, closing the door behind her.
...
Okay?
I turned to Minh lying on the bed's edge, still staring at the closed door of the room. I leaned closer to him, waving a hand in front of his face. He quickly snatched my wrist, looking at me.
"Yes, oh foolish sister of mine?"
"The fuck you mean foolish?"
"Because you are," he rolled his eyes, letting my wrist go.
I took my wrist back, rubbing my poor handbones. What did my bones do to you man? I stared at Minh, him staring back. I let my hand drop, avoiding his eyes as my chest squeezed a bit.
"Sorry."
"If you're sorry then don't do it again."
I flinched, fiddling with my fingers, picking at my cuticles. Minh slapped my hand, a hard sting spreading through my wrist. I bit my lip, rubbing my hand.
"Stop doing that."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"Okay, I get it," I groaned, rubbing my hand as I muttered, "Asshole."
Minh sighed, hooking an arm around my neck, letting my head rest on his shoulder.
"Sometimes, I wonder what I did in my past life to get a sister like you."
"Well, you're stuck with me, so too bad," I grumbled, scooting closer to him.
"Unfortunately."
He sighed again, groaning, "At this rate, I'll die of stress before I hit twenty."
"Well, at least you'll be uglier than me."
"Who said I'd be ugly?" Minh retorted, pinching my nose and pulling.
"Ow ow ow ow, okay, okay, stop! I take it back!" I cried, hitting his arm.
"Dude, your nails are sharp as fuck, you're gonna rip my nose off!"
"Fine, I'll spare you for now," he sneered, letting my hurting nose go.
I rubbed my nose, sitting up as I pushed him away.
"Jackass," I sniffed, rubbing the mark Minh's stupid nails left on my nose.
"Don't complain, your nails are longer."
"Yeah, but I don't brutalize you with them!" I complained, punching his shoulder.
"Not yet," he shot back.
"Should I start?" I threatened.
I raised my hands, showing off my sharp nails. They're kinda chipped and short, but they're good enough to attack someone.
He scoffed, flicking my forehead, "I dare you to try."
"And I will!" I humphed, throwing my hand near his face.
He didn't move, a smile on his face.
"... fuck you."
"Love you too."
I rolled my eyes, flopping on the bed. I wrapped the blankets around me, curling into a ball. Minh rolled me around, pushing my right shoulder, forcing me to relax it.
"Let your shoulder heal properly."
I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head.
"Emily said it's healed, so it's fine."
"And I'm not taking chances," Minh argued, pushing me aside as he laid down next to me.
He patted my head before falling silent. I stayed the same, poking my head out of the blanket as I snuggled up next to him. Minh pulled me closer, closing his eyes.
"Night."
"Night."