THE WHOLE TRUTH

A few days ago, I gifted Stephen a drone on his birthday which got lost in an abandoned property. I fell mysteriously ill and was sent to the hospital. It's been 2 weeks now and the doctors say I can be discharged since I haven't shown any more signs of abnormalities for the past week.

After my little episode with the surgical tray, I felt weak and slept off. I woke up the next day and things seemed normal after that, my parents would come visit me at the hospital before they left for work and after, Stephen would visit me just to stay till dinner time. Everything was normal, well, until I began having the same dream about a house and a silhouette of a human, I couldn't tell if it were a male or female. It stood there, not taking a step forward nor back, It motioned for me to come forward...to go into the house! Every time I woke up I was drenched in cold sweat and my heart would be racing, it all didn't make sense. No one knew about my dreams not even Stephen, I just wanted to be out of the hospital without further complications.

Once I reached home, Stephen helped me take my things to my room upstairs as I made my way to the kitchen to grab a cup of water, standing right below the medicine cabinet and right above the sink, I began remembering the incident from two weeks ago, as I bent down to the floor remebering how I blacked out I became curious as to how my eyes could've turned black. I got up and opened the medicine cabinet and was stunned to see it packed with painkillers and some other drugs for discomfort, " we got them yesterday, we were afraid that whatever happened to you might happen again so we tried to be prepared this time around" I turned around to see my mom leaning against the wall with her arms crossed wearing a smile on her face trying to hide her worries but I could still get a glimpse of it from the slight twitch in her eyebrows. I closed the medicine cabinet and faced her with the cup to my mouth, I gave her a slight nod as I tried figure out how to change the topic, "so how's work been?" I said dropping the glass in the sink," oh,work is fine a little stressful but it's fine..." My mum said still in the same position, looking at me as I made my way to the grocery bags, "oh ok that's good just don't over work yourself too much, you should take a break once in a while..." I said as I brought out the food supplies and laid the on the table, "you know Stephen, he....he misses you guys...alot" I said still focused on the grocery bags, "oh honey I..." My mom said standing straight,"...and you know what...I do too!" I said as I looked up at my mom meeting her eyes which were filled with surprise and confusion, realizing what I've said I quickly shifted my focus back to the bags,"...but it's fine, at least he was happy on his birthday...which tooo an unexpected turn..." I said trying really hard not to remember that evening, "what-...", "...so in order to try and fix things I was on planning taking him out...but that was like 2 weeks ago, so I'll take him this week" I said, while putting away the last grocery, my mom stood dumbfounded, her eyes continuously shifting from my face to near objects, as I tried to walk past her she grabbed my arm and looked at me apologetically, looking for the right words "Sam... Stephen I ....I'm so so so sorry Sam!", I gently touched her hand which was gripping onto my arm as I said "mom, it's fine, it's not your fault that any of this happened, and neither I'm I blaming you or dad, I and Stephen still live you both...all I'm saying is we'd prefer to be able to see and spend time with our parents at least once in a while...even if it's just to see you guys..." I said with a bittersweet expression on my face, I stared into my mom's eyes as if trying to figure out what she was thinking, but all I saw was worry and confusion. I sighed as I patter my mom's arm a gave her a kiss goodnight before heading up to my room.

I woke up, drenched in cold sweat, "seems like it's gonna be like this for a while" I thought to myself as I got up to head to the showers. "Good morning Sam", I turned to see an already dressed Stephen standing by his bedroom door, "... Good morning Stephen... you're up early" I said in a curious tone finding it strange that he's awake without me having to call him severely, "um yh I decided to start waking up by myself so you don't have to...I don't want you to worry about me, I'm a big boy!" Stephen said with a determined look on his face, I was surprised to see my 12 year old brother already so mature, in just two weeks, "Stephen became responsible" I thought to myself as I covered my mouth to prevent myself from laughing, "come here you big man!" I said as I crouched down with my hands wide open motioning for him to give me a hug, he dropped his bag and ran into my arms hugging me tightly like I was about to slip away. I gently pushed him to signaling to release me but he just hugged me tighter, "Stephen...?" I said cautiously, "hm..." He said nedging deeper into my neck which tickled but also made me concerned, "... Stephen,what's wrong?" I said worried, " you know you can tell me anything right?" I said trying to comfort him. After 3 minutes of uneasy silence Stephen finally spoke, "Sam..." He said slowly releasing his grip on me but not letting go, "yeah buddy?" I said stroking his back, "there's something I didn't tell you...back in the hospital...", "yeah?...what's that?", "Sam your eyes weren't the only things that were strange... Sam...you were talking in a different language and voice, it didn't sound like your voice!", "Stephen...what-...?", "Sam I tried everything... Sam I was so scared...I called mom and Dad's company but they were both busy...I didn't know what to do...then I called 911... Sam I'm sorry, I'm sorry I couldn't help you, I'm sorry I took the last painkillers, I'm sorry I lost the drone you gave me, and I'm sorry I've been such a lazy bum that made u stressed...it's just...with mum and dad always gone I like the way it became a natural routine for u to wake me up and we'll talk during breakfast...I like spending time with you and it doesn't feel like mom or dad aren't even around...I'm sorry I was so selfish...please don't hate me..." As he said those last words he lowered his voice and in a loving rage I forcefully pulled him off me and held his hands in place, I stared at him furiously looking into his tear filled eyes and that's when I noticed my necks been wet. "Stephen! Look at me!" I said still staring at him, Stephen sheepishly raised his head from the floor and looked at me, " Stephen I want you to remember the wordsim about to say, do you hear me?", he nodded, I calmed down a bit seeing the fear in his eyes about what next I'd say, " Stephen, nothing that happens these past few weeks was ever your fault,nothing!. The drone just got hit by a bird and it got knocked down. The painkiller incident wasn't your fault either and I'm glad you took it cause who knows, it could've been you in my place. And what do you mean you couldn't help me ! If not for you who heroically called 911 I don't think I'd be here today, who knows, I might still be in the hospital or maybe..." I said motioning towards the ceiling and Stephen responded with a sour look, I laughed as I said "you see, your the major reason I'm still here today, I kinda owe you, plus I never said it was stressful waking you up everyday..even if it is, but my point is I love spending time with you and it also helps me to forget that mom and dad aren't always around so stop beating yourself up for things that aren't your fault " I said as I wiped away his tears and kissed his cheeks, "and speaking of owing, how about I repay you this Saturday, it a surprise!", "really?!" Stephen said eagerly, his face suddenly lit up, "yes, but you have to promise me you won't keep things to yourself like this, and if u have any problems you'll come to me", "I promise" Stephen said as he interlocked our pinkies together and just then the school bus arrived and Stephen left for school and I got ready for work.