Reassure

"M--- mom, D-- dad, why?", I said as they started leaving the home

Mom just looked at us then smiled in the way she never did, its my first time seeing her face like that. The smile of gladness.

"It's fine Luna, We did something hideous and now we have to pay for it."

"N-- no, you didn't do something bad right, that cant is you,... You were just being framed right.. Right... D-dad. M-mom... R-right?!", I said as I leaned forward. That can't be them. It cant be.

"W--- we did Luna. But we didn't regret doing that. We're glad we did that. No regrets", Dad uttered as he also revealed that same smile.

Why were they smiling? They just did something bad right? And will be imprisoned by who knows how long. They cant be smiling. They shouldn't!

'Hshhkk', Seeing the situation, Trayson rush towards Dad, ignoring all the bodies laying on the ground, even the fear he felt prior. His lips trembling and eyes soaked wet... " D--- dad!!! M-mom, please don't leave... No! No!", he screamed.

Dad and Mom hold their tears at bay, "it's fine Trayson, sister's there for you, she'll take care of you. I'm certain, so please be a kind boy okay? Don't cause burden to your sister, o---- okay?", Mom said as she tousled Trayson's hair for the last time.

Failure in holding back her emotion, Mom's lips started trembling then eventually, 'thud', tears kept surfacing.

"M---- mom!", I screamed seeing her crying for the first time. That time I realized, that they won't be coming back for a while. It's gonna be a long time. Just what have they done?

Seconds passed and what I saw made my heart break into pieces. " L---- luna, pl--- please be sure to take care of your brother o--okay?, be sure to feed him every day, have him take a bath. Go to school. O--- okay Luna?", it's a trembling voice, from a bald and masculine guy, Dad...

'Whskkk', inwardly, I felt my heart shattered seeing him crying too... "D--- dad!!!", I can't hold it back anymore, I rush towards them, savoring our last moment, locking myself in his broad arms... "D--- dad, I w-- won't take care of Trayson! I w--- won't! So please, just stay! You take care of him yourself! D--dad, M--- mom! Take care of Trayson yourself! M--- mom!", I said hugging Dad while looking at Mom who succumbed to her emotion and wailed.

I want to stop them, if persuasion didn't work then I'll threaten them if that's what needed. But alas, my intended outcome didn't work, truth be told, my shattered heart, break more as I heard her words... "L--- luna.... pl--pl--- please!", she stuttered, pleading. 'No, you can't be doing that Mom! Just be yourself! Be the boastful and prideful Mom I knew! Don't show me that face!'

It's too late, my heart turned soft by her words, by her emotions, ... I succumb.

"M--- mom!", I wailed..., that's my last word.

Firming my decision, I took Trayson out of Dad's grasp, forcing him as he wailed on top of his lungs, drenching each tear he had.

He didn't concede at first and kept throwing frenzy, even kicking my body a lot of times. He didn't stop, he wailed, crying. Of course, I understand his action, seeing your parents leaving your view for a long time must be so hard for a 10 years old boy, but despite that, I firmed my decision, our parents' were leaving, nothing can be done, our wailing was futile. So in their stead, I'll take care of Trayson. That's my decision.

Locking Trayson in my arms, Dad and Mom left.

I just remained silent as they left with William, waving their hands and lips trembling.

They kept looking back, maybe savoring the last moment they could see our face. Their actions made my heart softer. 'Damn!'

"Luna, do whatever you have to do, don't wait for us, okay?!", Dad said as he turned his head for the last time, that's also his last words.

"Vroom, vroom", the car started operating, concurrent with Trayson wailing, "D--- dad, M--- mom!"

I wanted the time to stopped or even slowed down. I wanted to see them longer. Sadly, time runs so fast. The police car was now leaving, carrying our hearts with it.

I didn't speak any and just watched Dad and Mom riding in the Police car, going farther and farther until it's out of our view.

Holding back my tears, I let go of Trayson who kept on wailing. He then rushed outside, running after the car. I knew he couldn't chase after them so I just let him be. I just drop to my knees, looked at my arms that's trembling, my lips were alike. Then cried all I want.

That's where it all end, my happy and delightful life with Mom and Dad.

June 24, 2095... The day our family lost its pillars.

--------

3 days had passed, within those time my friends called asking about my situation. I told them what happened and asked them to tell our teachers the same.

They even offered cutting class just to go here and comfort me which I downright refused. It's my problem, I don't want them to worry themselves about it.

On the first day, I pondered over it. This was not just about me. Trayson was also there. And as someone older, I got to be there for him. I had to be the alternative pillar that he could hold on to. I got to give him a reason to keep going.

On that night, I cried it all out. Draining each emotion I have within me. Each sadness, regret, and madness. I let it all out. I cried at my heart's content.

Starting then, I forced myself to become ecstatic. I laugh despite no distinct reason. Did tasked I'm not familiar about. Act like nothing happened. And comfort Trayson at my best.

It was hard. But I knew it's not futile.

The second night of the second day. Trayson went to my bedroom, carrying his favorite Spider-man pillow, he knocked on my widely opened door.

"Ahmm, L-- luna, Can I sleep here?", He said in hesitation

His intention hit my heart despite not mentioning it, it softened my heart. "Hmmm, fine, but in one condition"

"What condition?"

"Give me a kiss every morning!", I said as I formed a smirk

"Yuck! No! Never!", Trayson said, while unconsciously terminating his face, tinted by sadness

"Even just on cheeks!"

"No! Never!"

'Thud', he turned his back started walking back to his bedroom. Of course, I won't let him!

"Coming!", I ran after him, then caught him! carrying him in a princess position, as he retaliates and drags his small body out of my hands. But it's futile. Though I'm a girl, I can carry a 10 yrs old boy with ease. Besides, the bed was near.

"Wackk!", I let out as I dropped him on my soft bed, bouncing slightly as his back touched my bed covering.

"what's with you, Luna! I don't agree with your condition! I--- 'll just go back to my room", he said as he walked out of the bed, throwing tantrums like a child, until-

"Wahh! I'm just kidding!", I said as I lied down on the bed, "come here, sleep here", I uttered, removing the jokes and sarcasm within my voice, then patting the bedsheet, gesturing him to sleep there.

Maybe due to my tone or out of sadness, he did as he was told, and lay on the bed with an obedient attitude.

I smiled at his action...

----

In the middle of the night, I was woken up by a sobbing that I heard.

Opening my eyes, then heightening my earshot, I heard the voice coming from my side. No guesses were needed... It was Trayson.

"M--- mom, D---- dad"

My heart aches upon hearing that, 'he must be crying like this every night

Seconds passed but he's yet to stop, so I thought that my action was needed.

Without further ado, I let out a moan, "ahhh", causing him to pause for a while may be thinking that his sobbing wake me up. I felt him turning his head to look at me for a moment, discerning whether I'm awake or not, then it was at that moment -

'Thud', my hands locked him up.

I hugged him.

"L-- luna?", he questioned, but I didn't answer. He repeated his question but it was futile. I won't respond or else my action would be in vain.

Earlier, upon knowing that I got to take some action, I decided to hug him in secret, pretending to be asleep, since he would deny my action in certain if I'm awake.

Hearing no reply from me, Trayson stopped speaking. He didn't even remove my hand and just let it be, as I intended.

Turning his head again to another side, he stopped sobbing and after a second, no sounds echoed anymore. He was asleep.

I opened my eyes, looking at his back for a moment, "Sleepwell Trayson", I whispered

-----

One week had passed since our parents' imprisonment.

Every day felt like a nightmare. We didn't attend school for that whole time. Our teachers called as well, comforting us giving us some piece of advice.

Series of messages and calls had come on that whole time. From friends, teachers, and even neighbors. We don't have any cousins left anymore, all of them died on the first colonizing. The same thing was the reason why I and Trayson had stayed home the whole time.

Gladly Mom and Dad had some savings, nourishing our belly and needs. We live our lives like normal. Staying at home, cleaning, watching movies, and laughing our ass off. It was melancholic yet fun.

Doing Mom's household tasks were hard. But it wasn't futile. Within that 6 days, maybe out of seeing my efforts and past actions. Trayson had gone through some drastic change. He didn't cry at night anymore, nor spend time whimpering.

I must say he had matured.

On the seventh day

"Kring... Kring..kring", annoying sounds of clock screeching echoed on the room

With my eyes still close, I reached out my hand, rambling on the closet to turn that clock off. 'Damn'

Silence now ensued on the room, 'Wahhhh', I let out as I lazily stretched my arms widely. "Shiny morning, Earthhhh!", I mumbled.

Moving my hands to the side, I felt nothing but a sheet of cotton. 'Trayson!', he was nowhere the bed.

Usually, he would be here concealing in my arms, but this time, he was nowhere. "Trayson!", I uttered as I opened my eyes, searching for his silhouette on the room but it was futile.

Not even a trend of his hair was there. 'Thud, thud, thud', running, I rushed out of the room looking for him. Maybe out of the trauma of losing Mam and Dad, this time I felt my heart rushing out of my chest, it's intense.

"Trayson! Trayson!"

No voice responded as I kept shouting until I reached the kitchen.

'Whskkk, wshkk', sounds of clanking plates resounded. "Trayson!"

Reaching out for the kitchens door, I heaved a sigh of relief seeing him there, "sigh, damn, you made me worry Trayson!", I uttered

Turning his body, I nearly choked from laughter, "pfft, what the heck, are you wearing an apron!", I saw him wearing polka dots and a pinkish apron! It's hilarious... And cute...

"why? Is it your first time seeing a boy wearing an Apron, Luna?", he said tilting his head in my direction

"No, but it's my first time seeing you in an apron, you're cute!"

"Yuck!"

"By the way, what are you doing?", I said as I saw him facing the cooking area, 'just what is someone doing in the cooking area?', I thought...

"N--- no!!!!", I yelled as I realized what he was doing, of course, he must be cooking! Damn! 'Its the end'

------

Its morning, a shiny morning, yet no delight was imprinted in my face. The reason? -

"Here's the food, Luna", Trayson said, bringing on the table a set of foods, or rather -

"Overcooked hotdog! Burned rice! And Undercooked egg! Just what have you done Trayson!", I said, looking at the food he brought

"Just eat, no need for gratitude", he uttered as he started eating, but -- " cough, cough", he choked! It's hilarious.

"I told you right, I'll be doing the cooking, you always burned our foods, undercooked at times. Cooking is not your forte Trayson!", I said as I saw him getting

pale, on verge of spitting out the food.

Reaching for the drinks, I filled my cup, "I'm full, I'll just drink", I said making an excuse. But damn, even the drink was terrible!

"Spit.."

"What the heck Trayson! Cant, you even temper the drinks! It's hideous!", I said continuously spitting out the drinks I took.

"It's not that bad though", He whistled as he continued eating, though nausea, 'this prideful bitch!'

When I said he got matured, this was what I meant! But damn! I'd rather had him turned back into an innocent and tsundere brother! He had turned prideful just like Mom, and had gotten serious-minded!

Maturity was good, but not for a 10-year-old child! I wanted him to enjoy life first, filling his memories with his shameful, innocent, ignorant, and childish self. I don't want him maturing at this age.

Though that's the case, it's his life. Besides, I can't blame him, being in his situation, maturing would be a great escape.

"Only if ---"

"Luna?"

"N--- nothing", I excused, 'only if Mom and Dad were still here'.

Memories from that time drifted to my mind again. I wanted to forget it but it's easier said than done. I wished my brain had a delete option, so this thought wouldn't ever cross my mind again. The thought of giving up. Regrets.

Sulking, my appetite forced me to eat the harmful food before me. My belly kept letting out noises, making my prior excuse, invalid.

As I was doing that. My phone vibrated. I thought it was just normal assuring messages. So I reached out for my phone while eating.

"Ding!", the phone sounded again. 'Damn, just who would text me this early?'

Opening my phone with my left hand, I traced for the notification settled on its upper part. And as usual, there was a message from Katy. Asking how I was doing.

Remembering that the phone vibrated twice, I traced for the other message notification and what I saw stunned me ---

"N--- no, I ---- it cant be", I said as I dropped my spoon, stunned by the message, or rather an email...

"I--- it cant be, D--- dad", its an email from Adam Collins, my Dad.