Mourning Is Hard

Vanessa found herself taken aback by the unexpected depth of Heidi's words. As she glanced at her younger sister, she couldn't help but notice the subtle signs of maturity that seemed to have bloomed within her.

Heidi's statement lingered in Vanessa's mind, revealing a level of understanding and hope that surprised her.

The realization slowly dawned on Vanessa: Heidi held onto expectations, a deep-seated desire for something meaningful from their father.

This revelation left Vanessa momentarily speechless, her thoughts swirling as she reflected on the implications of Heidi's words.

Turning her attention back to her mother, Elysia, who now lay peacefully in sleep, Vanessa felt a mix of relief and concern.

Elysia's fever had finally subsided after a long and worrying period of illness that had cast a shadow over their home for months.

Resolute, Vanessa rose from her seat and made her way to the kitchen, her movements purposeful and deliberate.

The familiar tasks of preparing lunch for the family provided a welcome distraction from the weight of uncertainty that loomed over them.

She chopped vegetables with skilled precision, the rhythmic sounds of cooking filling the air.

Meanwhile, Heidi remained by their mother's side, gently stroking Elysia's forehead as if to soothe her into a deeper slumber.

Vanessa stole glances at her sister, struck by her quiet strength and devotion in the face of their family's challenges.

The afternoon sun cast warm rays through the kitchen window, illuminating Vanessa's determined expression as she focused on the task at hand.

Despite the heaviness of their circumstances, there was a sense of resilience in Vanessa's demeanor—a resolve to navigate through life's uncertainties and provide stability for her family.

In the midst of their daily routine, Vanessa couldn't shake the weight of Heidi's words.

As pots simmered on the stove and the aroma of cooking filled the room, Vanessa pondered the complexities of family dynamics and the unspoken hopes that lingered within each of them.

Meanwhile, Vanessa efficiently completed her cooking tasks within two hours before finally heading to the bathroom for a brief respite.

As the household bustled with activity, a sudden commotion outside the window of Raiden and Elysia's room drew Heidi's attention.

Heidi swiftly rose from the mattress, her concern evident, and hurried to the window to intervene and prevent further disturbance.

With a finger pressed to her lips, she shushed the gathering of children outside, signaling them to lower their voices.

— "Shhh! Don't shout! What's going on?"

Heidi urged in a hushed tone, her eyes conveying a sense of urgency as she sought to protect her mother's precious moment of rest.

The tension in her voice was palpable, a mixture of worry and frustration at the disruption.

Just as Vanessa emerged from her bath and approached Heidi at the window, a young child gasped for breath, his wide eyes reflecting both fear and excitement. He was desperate to convey their message despite the interruption.

— "Uh... Heidi sister, it's Raiden uncle and... Ryn!"

The child exclaimed, his voice trembling with anxiety. He paused momentarily, overwhelmed by the urgency of the situation, before being joined by others, their voices blending in an anxious chorus.

Their faces were flushed with a mix of worry and anticipation, each child eager to ensure that their message was heard. Vanessa, now by Heidi's side, felt a surge of alarm as she listened.

The children's frantic tones and the urgency in their expressions made her heart race.

She shared a quick, concerned glance with Heidi, their silent communication underscoring the gravity of the news. The world seemed to come to a halt.

Vanessa and Heidi's eyes widened in shock and disbelief at the children's words. Panic gripped Vanessa as she urgently questioned them further.

— "Where are they now? How do you all know?"

She demanded, her voice a mix of fear and urgency.

— "Open the door, come with us."

The children insisted, their faces pale and eyes wide with the gravity of the news. Without hesitation, Heidi and Vanessa bolted towards the main door, flinging it open with a force driven by desperation.

They raced alongside the children, hearts pounding, until they arrived at a gathering crowd. Pushing their way through the throng, they were met with a horrifying sight.

There, on the ground, lay Ryn and Raiden, their bodies covered in blood. The scene was gruesome, an undeniable testament to a severe accident that had occurred mere minutes or perhaps half an hour ago.

The sight was devastating. Ryn's arm was grotesquely broken, almost detached from his body, indicating a massive trauma.

Raiden's injuries were equally severe, their bodies a horrifying display of shattered limbs and crimson stains.

Vanessa's mind struggled to process the scene before her, a scream caught in her throat, while Heidi, paralyzed by the shock, could only stare in silent horror.

The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood and the murmurs of the crowd, who watched in grim silence.

The sisters' hearts ached with an overwhelming mix of fear, sorrow, and helplessness as they realized the gravity of their loss.

Their family, already fragile and beleaguered, had just been shattered irreparably.

And the reason for her detachment was her father. How could she show any sympathy to the man she held responsible for her last buried sister's death?

The man who had failed as a husband and a father, who had stopped caring for them once her mother became ill.

Raiden had ceased coming home regularly, abandoning them when he could no longer get anything from his wife.

Vanessa felt a sense of relief that perhaps now they could live happily, free from the presence of the man who had destroyed her childhood and her mother's life.

This realization was why she couldn't scream like Heidi or show the sympathy she thought she should.

She wouldn't be as sad as Heidi. Vanessa didn't even notice how their neighbors gathered to bury Ryn and Raiden.

The day passed in a blur as Elysia remained asleep, undisturbed due to her own illness. While Heidi cried, Vanessa sat on a chair, staring at the floor. Now it was just the three of them: Heidi, Vanessa, and Elysia.

With the deaths of Ryn and Raiden, the entire responsibility of the family fell on Vanessa's shoulders. Elysia was too ill to manage anything or earn money.

The sudden burden of financial pressure, education, and providing food threw Vanessa into a state of tension and anxiety.

At sixteen, she could barely imagine earning enough to support her family as her father or brother had. The whole day just passed like this. Just to keep Elysia fine, nobody told her anything about Ryn and Raiden.

To keep up the pretense, Vanessa forced a smile and spoke softly to Heidi.

— "Heidi, don't worry. People are meant to die at the end of their time. Everything will be fine."

— "Did something happen to you?"

Vanessa was caught off guard by Heidi's question. It was painfully clear that Vanessa hadn't shed a single tear, and she spoke only of Ryn, avoiding any mention of Raiden. Heidi, shocked by her sister's behavior, finally voiced her confusion and pain.

Vanessa, her eyes hidden as she gazed out the window at the dark, clouded sky, found herself unable to continue the conversation.

She paused, leaving a heavy silence between them. Meanwhile, Heidi, still reeling from the day's events, tried to process everything.

— "Why have you become like this, Vanessa sister? You aren't like this. Why does it seem like you don't care about Dad's death?"

Vanessa was at a loss for words. She didn't know what to tell her sister. The weight of Heidi's question hung heavily in the air, amplifying the silence.

Vanessa's mind raced, trying to find an answer that would make sense to both of them. She couldn't deny the truth of Heidi's observation, but she also couldn't bring herself to express the full extent of her feelings.

Finally, Vanessa whispered,

— "Sometimes, Heidi, 'the heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.' I can't explain it all to you now, but one day, you might understand."

Heidi looked confused but didn't press further. Vanessa continued, her voice barely audible,

— "When you see someone cause so much pain and suffering, it becomes hard to mourn them, even when they're gone."