Nightmare

"Mother !" the voice was youthful and excited as he presented a bowl of medicine to his mother, who looked so pale and fragile, as if she would pass out merely from a little bit of strong breeze.

"Agate, my baby," her voice, usually soft, was even softer and hoarser as she spoke with difficulty, taking in heavy breaths in between each word.

"Yes, mother, I am here." There was a noticeable tremor in his voice as Agate tried to control his tears and softly spoke again, "I found this amazing doctor, his medicine can surely cure you. This, see, you will be able to recover for sure, mother."

At that, she just smiled meekly, even struggling to keep her stretched mouth the same for seconds, "Okay, whatever you say." 

As the cool medicine went down her throat, the continuously burning sensation in her seemed to have been soothed in an instant, and as if the medicine had already taken effect, her pale face started to gain a healthy tint of redness, by the minute.

Agate was shocked to see the medicine take effect so fast. He looked at the maid by the bedpost, urging her to bring over his father and his brother quickly. His eyes filled with tears, could not hold on for long as tears came streaming down. He quickly turned his face away from his mother as he reached out to hold her hand, but he slightly frowned, realizing how cold her hand felt.

In panic, he looked up at her, and his heart finally settled seeing her looking much better, with a soft smile on her face. She gazed at Agate as she spoke softly, this time much peacefully, "I feel so comfortable. What did you give me?"

Before he could speak, there was a loud bang as the door opened, with two hurried footsteps entering the room.

"What happened?" Agate's father looked at his youngest son and back at his wife, who looked as if she had already recovered. With a joyful shock, he went over to her, looking up and down at her ever so gently, then his quivering hands came up to her now rosy cheek, touching softly.

"You- you are- are you really fine, honey?" his face still showing disbelief, with all smiles, he caressed his wife's face, as if to make sure she was really not in pain.

"Yeah, I am." 

As the husband and wife conversed softly, Agate had moved away from his mother's side to the edge of the bed, beside his elder brother.

Aconite, who had already recovered from the initial surprise, now looked at Agate doubtfully, covering up his happiness, before asking him skeptically, "What did you do? What is this wonder?"

Disatisfied by his interrogating tone, Agate looked at his brother in disbelief, as he spoke in a low voice, lest ruining his parents' joyful catch-up, "Why don't you trust me for once, huh? I found a very credible, renowned doctor, and he gave me this medicine, and it worked wonders, look, she already seems so much better." by the end his voice was rising a little from excitement.

Aconite did not know if he should trust his brother this time or not, his antiques had been clear and troublesome before, if he even dared to mess up with their mother, then...he surpassed his thoughts as he tried to think more positively, giving his brother a benefit of doubt as he just muttered a soft "Mm".

But seemed like he let his guard down too quickly, just as everyone was starting to think of ways to celebrate the recovery, everything spiraled down.

This time, Aconite and Agate were also right beside their father, looking at their mother, who was talking fine, but she suddenly said she was drowsy and wanted to go back to sleep.

Not finding anything amiss, the family decided to let her rest, but who knew her slumber would last forever. As all three stood by her bed, side by side, at her peaceful face, which even held a soft smile, her complexion still as healthy as ever, but her heart had ceased to beat, and her breathing had completely stopped.

And the whole world came crashing down for their family that day, pushing everyone into a never-ending nightmare.