"You wouldn't care if I died!"

The last thing she said to me as she ran out the door in tears. I didn't bother to follow her; knowing she would be back. She always came back to me, in a fight or not. And then this would be just a silly little argument that would end in tons of cuddles.

But she hadn't come back. It had been hours since she left. Now I'm beginning to worry. To occupy my mind, I made dinner for us, planning to smooth it over food. Surely she would come back if she knew I made dinner? But still no sign of her and it was getting past two in the morning. I tried calling her cell several time but there was no answer. Where could she be?

Around three am, my phone rang. I almost didn't answer since I didn't recognize the number. But what if it was Natalya? What if she couldn't use her phone and needed me?

"Hello?"

"Is this Mr. Ivan Braginsky?"

The voice sounded cold and sad, like he was trying to hold back something horrible. Who is this?

"Yes, I am."

"And do you know a Natalya Alfroskaya?

My heart flipped in my chest; immediately knowing something was terrible wrong. The notion made me feel so close to vomiting that I had to hold my stomach.

"Yes, she is my little sister," I tried to say calmly but my body kept shaking.

"I regret to inform you she was in a horrible car accident."

Thump! The phone hit the floor and so did the rest of me. I couldn't hold in the vomit anymore and let it out on the carpet. My mind was filled of horrible images of my poor suffering sister bleeding on the road. I've seen many horrible things in my life but that one will haunt me for the rest of my life.

I reached out for the phone and the man was still there waiting; like he expected that reaction.

"Where is she?"

"The wounds were pretty bad and was transferred to the main hospital in Moscow."

"That's not far from here. I'll be there as soon as possible."

"We will be waiting for you."

The call ended with a click that seemed to ring in my ears. I couldn't be this had happened. How I would give anything to back and time so we would have never that argument? Then she wouldn't have had a reason to leave.

I hadn't the time to waste now. Quickly, I cleaned up the vomit so whenever I brought my sister home, the house wouldn't smell. I decided not to dwell on it like she wasn't going to pull through. Instead I'm bringing her home and spoiling her with whatever she wanted.

Nearly receiving a speeding ticket, I arrived at the hospital within ten minutes. The lady at the reception counter that been looking down and jumped as I approached the desk.

"Mr. Braginsky?"

I nodded, trying to smile and be polite but couldn't under the circumstances.

"Right this way." She came out from behind the desk and lead me to an empty room on an upper floor. "They'll bring her in soon."

She left without another word, leaving me to pace around in misery. Ten minutes felt like an eternity as I waited to see the damage. I jumped as they wheeled in the squeaky bed and placed it next to the wall; under the window.

I could already see many scratches, bruises and cuts in between all the bandages and temporary casts. Seeing it tore my heart out; making regret always running away from her all the time. She didn't deserve that or this tragedy.

The doctor turned to me, taking a deep breath before telling me all the news. "Seems she was heading to the border when someone smashed into her car. Unfortunately they got away, seemingly unharmed. However, she has one broken arm, two broken legs, a few broken ribs and bruises everywhere; including her head. She may suffer from some mental trauma. Aside from that she will have to be hospitalized for quite a while. Several surgeries and she will need to be rehabilitated, like re-learning how to walk. She have to be in a wheelchair for a good few months. She probably won't be able to do anything for herself if she makes it through. You are welcome to stay with her since it must be hard."

Listening to all that made me sick to my stomach again. Why couldn't it have been me? My sisters don't deserve this kind of pain! How could someone do this to my little girl?

"I'll be calling our elder sister. She'll want to stay for her as well," I choked out, fighting back tears.

"That's fine. You may want to bring some supplies. she'll be here a long time. Tonight, I can offer you a comfy chair from the play area."

"That would be great. Thank you."

"I'll have a nurse bring it up shortly. Get some rest. She'll be in the operating room again tomorrow," he added, sounding cold like it was part of his job.

He left quickly, giving me time to let the tears roll down my cheeks. Even my past didn't make me want to cry as much as I do now. I'd rather be suffering instead of her. Yeah, it would break her heart to see that but she doesn't deserve this suffering. She who loves me so much.

My hand shook as I dialled my sister's number. A few rings but she answered, groaning about how early it was.

"I'm sorry, big sister," I choked out again, crying fully this time.

"Baby boy, why are you crying?"

"Natalya was in a car accident."

I heard the phone drop, just when I did it earlier. Quickly she picked it up and started crying. "Oh no! My baby!"

"Please come, sister," I sobbed, rubbing my eyes. "I won't be able to standing seeing her like this without you.

"I'll leave immediately."

She hung up and without a doubt was probably out the door. She'd move mountains for us if we needed her to. Natalya will get better, she'd make sure of it.

Putting my phone back in my pocket, I leaned over my sister. My tears fell on her cheeks as I grabbed her hand; making it seem like she was crying to. Leaning down further, I placed my lips down on hers.

"Don't die, Natalya," I cried, covering her face in tears. "Don't die."