Despite my wishes, Ai insisted I use a wheelchair, even though my legs were completely unaffected by the attack. Reluctantly, I agreed, and she pushed me to Akash's room.
"I'm just so glad Akash is alright. To be honest, the doctors did not think he was going to make through the night due to the severity of his injuries. They've been calling it a miracle, you know," Ai murmured.
"Thank the Spirits. I don't know what I would have done without him," I responded, trying to hold back tears.
We entered the room, and Ai wheeled me over to my brother's bed. I took his hand and interlaced my fingers with his.
"I'll be back in a few," Ai whispered.
Akash opened his eyes.
"Kira?" he whispered, his voice but a rasp. "What happened? Where's Momma? Mr. Fa?"
I tried to hold back tears…and failed.
"Akash, listen to me," I started, inhaling heavily to clear my mind and maintain my composure. "Momma and Mr. Fa, they…they had to leave us. They had no choice. But they told me to remind you how much they love you, and to never, ever forget that. Alright?" I managed, my voice quavering slightly.
Akash started to cry, and it broke my heart.
"Why would they just leave us like that, Kira? What if Poppa comes back and beats me up again? Kira, I'm so scared!" he cried, trembling as he hugged my waist.
Sadness broiled into anger, and then rage. My body shook with fury. How dare someone lay a hand on my little brother.
"Akash, don't you ever worry about Poppa. I promise you, he will never ever get near you. And if he does, I swear, I will end-" my thoughts were interrupted by an ancient saying Momma had always said to me: "She who seeks revenge should remember to dig two graves."
I remember the day she said those words to me. It was the only day in my life Momma had taken me to Republic City Park. I was feeding the turtle-ducks in the pond when one bit me straight on the finger. I threw a tantrum, and chucked a piece of bread at its head, to which it responded by tackling me to the ground and pecking my face off. Momma heard my sobs, and pried the wretched bird off of my face. And as she wiped away my tears, she said, "She who seeks revenge should remember to dig two graves."
I huffed. Why did Momma have to be so wise and pacifistic? Nevertheless, I didn't want to take any action that would tarnish her wisdom and her memory.
"I won't let him touch you, do you understand?" I vowed. Akash rubbed his eyes and embraced me. I kissed his forehead. "We will get through this together. That, I swear."