"Haah~" I took a deep breath and looked at myself in the mirror.
Buttoning the shirt, my eyes landed on the person I have become.
My eyes looked lifeless, my face dull, my hair overgrown, and my frame skinny.
I…naturally wasn't taking care of myself these days. I didn't have any reason to.
I didn't have many friends, and even those who don't call me out to hang out these days. There is a valid reason for that too.
My financial situation is unstable too. Being the only person earning in the family, I need to find another job. But being in the third year of college, I don't get much time.
However, crying over the situation wouldn't get me cash, so I was thinking of joining another café or maybe the library
I mean, my major reason to earn is gone…but even without that, I need to survive.
*Click*
Once dressed a little properly, I opened the door and found a woman standing a little away from the door, her one hand on the guardrail and the other holding her phone.
Wearing a one-piece that hid none of her curves was my landlady, Maya.
She ran her hand through her crimson locks, clearly frustrated.
"Still trying to contact him, Miss Callen?" I called out as I locked the door.
I wasn't skipping rent so I didn't need to steal my gaze and walk past her before she noticed. Not to talk about, our relationship is on good terms.
Hearing my voice, she smiled and disconnected the call, "Ah, Nathan. Yes...just trying to reach my husband."
Her husband, David Callen, was a sales executive who worked mostly out of town. And being a lonely wife, she tries to contact him every day—however, most of the time he doesn't respond.
Later, he arrives with a bouquet of roses and a sorry.
Miss Maya is such a lovable woman that she forgives him every time…and maybe because she treasures this relationship a lot, she can't see the obvious.
Her husband is cheating on her out there.
I mean, who doesn't come back home on New Year's and Christmas? And he is supposed to be the head of his department.
Well, not my place to ruin things between them.
"Well, I hope he doesn't forget your birthday," I said with a soft smile.
Her eyes widened, "You remember it?"
I chuckled, "I got to eat such a delicious cake last year, of course, I remember it."
She smiled warmly, "You flatter me…well, I will make sure to have a big bite prepared for you and little Deni-" she paused, her eyes widening in shock.
She suddenly remembered.
I sighed, "Well, I will be going now."
"Nathan, I …" I didn't wait for her to speak since it doesn't hurt actually.
I know she didn't intentionally bring my brother's name into the conversation.
Reaching the bus station, I took the bus.
I had already taken a day off from my part-time job. They didn't say anything against it. Well, since this might be the last time I would be taking a day off, I didn't feel much guilt.
Watching the scenery outside, I closed my dry eyes.
Hearing a couple of friends chatting and giggling nearby, I felt distant. I have never been like that, but still, sometimes, I feel I should have been a little more approachable.
But well, forget about it. It's too late to start a new life.
*Hiss*
The bus stopped and the gates parted before I stepped out.
A fairly big hospital came into view.
I stepped inside and got my pass from the counter before taking the elevator to the third floor.
Slowly approaching a ward in the corner of the hall, I paused and took a deep breath.
I looked at the glass and forced my lips to curve.
And then, I entered,
"Yo, alive or dead?" I asked the boy lying on the bed.
He resembled me a lot since he was my biological brother, Dennis.
His eyes were closed, breathing shallow, and his eyes sank.
He didn't hear my voice, so he must be in a deep sleep.
My shoulders sank as I sat on the stool near him and touched his face, "Hey, buddy…at least be with your lonely brother in these last moments."
I uttered, my voice shaking even though we made a pact not to cry a few days ago.
Dennis didn't want to see me cry when he would leave this world.
I mean…was it possible?
After our mother left us, when I was in high school, we went through experiences that shaped us into what we are now.
Our father remarried right after Mom died and abandoned us.
Those few years till I turned adult made us see that there is no one else in this world on whom you can truly rely other than your flesh and blood.
My brother and I got to understand that by living with our aunt for those few years.
Since then, Dennis and I had only each other, and we were happy with it.
My part-time job was helping us survive, and since Dennis didn't have many demands, things were going smoothly…until one day, I got a call from Dennis's homeroom teacher.
"You are here," A familiar man entered the room.
I turned toward him, "Doctor Park," I shook hands with him, wiping my tears with the other hand.
He urged me to sit down.
I expected him to check on Dennis, like always.
However…this time, he just sat across from me, not even glancing at Dennis.
My heart sank.
He looked down and said, "I won't beat around the bush, Nathan …your brother isn't going to survive more than a few days."
I sank in my seat, my first trembling.
How …I was being so emotional even though I knew it was coming? I don't know, but right now, I feel my world shattering before my eyes.
He continued, "His cancer had already spread when he got admitted, so we had a very slim chance of saving him. But miracles rarely happen in this field."
I let out a choked sob.
I never trusted in illogical things, but for the first time, I had visited church without fail, to pray for another chance.
Dennis was a bright student, a good brother and I know he would have become a good human too. He deserved a chance….a miracle.
But…
"Here," The Doctor suddenly offered me a folded paper, "Dennis fell asleep writing this. I believe he meant to give it to you."
I reached out with my trembling hands.
And upon reading the first line, my heart shattered,
[Hey, if you are reading this, I am probably already dead.]
The Doctor soon rose from his seat and said, "Call me if you need something…or someone by your side."
I just sat there.
I didn't have the guts to read further.
Tears continued to stream down my face.
My body is trembling.
This shouldn't have happened.
"Why…always…good people are punished?" I breathed out those words, feeling a lump forming in my throat.
Just then, "Because bad people have someone like me protecting them~"
I flinched.
There was something peeking at me from behind Dennis.
Its red curved eyes looked at me.
For a moment, I froze.
And then, it spoke again, "I can revive your brother for you. I am a Devil after all." He then rose from the other side, his body appearing for the first time.
Two horns on his head, a humanoid being with black skin and red veins all over his body.
He almost reached the ceiling and had a presence that made me breathless.
"Now that you have seen me, it's either a deal or death. Choose carefully~"
°°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading.