So, I've been debating doing this for a while now. Basically, while I've been writing Chemical Imbalance, I've been on and off writing little scenes from Project Imbalance. Most of it is just training exercises and showing what it was like growing up in the Project. It's helped me work out personalities and the dynamics between characters for my OCs. I'm going to leave this as incomplete, even though I don't know if I'll ever post something else here again. It'll just be if something pops into my head that I think will better explain the characters.
Anyway, this particular chapter is about Silver and Manganese (Maine) when they were kids. Ages are listed, as they will be for any other chapters in this series. Let me know if you think this is a good idea or if you want this to continue.
The Best Brother
Silver: age 6. Manny: age 12.
I stare around at the darkness, listening to the constant beeping of the machines. I'm afraid. The surgery is over, but mom said she didn't know if I'll survive. She said we have to wait until morning to know for sure. I'm scared. I don't want to die. I watched the others and I don't want to die like that.
I jump when I hear a noise outside the door. It slides open slowly, and all I can see is a dark silhouette facing me. At first I'm scared, then the scent drifts my way and I recognize it immediately. "Manny" I whisper, holding my arms out.
The older boy closes the door behind him quietly before walking toward me. When he reaches the bed, he scoops me up and sits cross-legged, placing me in his lap and wrapping his arms around me. He had been keeping his distance all day; mom had gotten mad at him for skipping training sessions to spend time with me. But now she was in her lab working, too focused to notice if he snuck out of his room to come visit. He brushes some white strands of hair out of my face, holding me silently. After a while he whispers "it's going to be okay."
I shake my head, then bury my face in his chest as the tears begin to flow. It won't be okay. It wasn't for any of the others. It won't be for me. I cry harder, soft choking sounds escaping my throat as I try to hold it in. Manny rocks me back and forth slightly. "It'll be okay" he repeats.
"No it won't" I say between sobs.
"Yes, it will" he tries to reassure me.
"You don't know that" I say, shaking my head again. "You can't know that for sure."
"Yes, I do" he says. Even though he tries to hide it, I can hear the desperation in his voice. "I know you'll make it. You have to. You won't die."
"How?" I ask. "How can you know that?"
Manny pushes me back slightly so I can see his face. Even in the dim lighting I can see his big, sad smile. "You're stronger than them" he says after a moment. "You're too strong to die like this. There's so much more ahead for you."
"I'm not strong," I whisper, shaking my head. "Not like you."
"You're stronger than you realize" Manny says. He looks me in the eyes as he speaks. "You're small, but you're tough. You're strong on the inside and that's where it matters. That's how I know you're going to be fine."
His voice is deep and raspy, but comforting. I still don't believe what he says, but I can tell he does, and that helps. I hug him tighter. "Please don't go" I ask. I know he should go back to his room soon, and that he'll get in trouble if mom discovers that he snuck out, but I'm cared. I don't want to be alone. I don't want to die alone.
"I'll stay" Manny says, kissing the top of my head lightly.
"Promise you won't go."
"I promise" Manny says. "I won't ever leave you, Silver."
I smile and close my eyes. I have the best brother in the world.