Beginnings Have An End
Chapter Six: Losing A Brother
Okay, now I'm serious. Everybody has to read and review this story. I mean it! Don't be a cheeseburger. Be a duck and do it. Right.
On the rare occasions when Six and 29 got a little off time, they headed straight for tree. Not a single other Cyber had ever left the mansion; they were all afraid of the consequences. But effects of their actions never crossed Six or 29's minds. Which may have been the entire cause of what happened next.
It had been fairly dry lately, and the two siblings had decided to run around in the grass near the cliff. It was fairly tall, tickled their stomachs, and felt, quite frankly, wonderful.
Six knelt by the edge of the cliff, looking out over the South American landscape. 29 smiled and put his slightly smaller arm around her waist as she suddenly pointed down. she breathed, a flower.
The petals were soft and colored a brilliant pink. How it had survived on the cliff with no rain, she couldn't imagine, but a flower it was, and a pretty one at that. D'you want it? asked 29.
Well if I wanted it, I could get it, you know.
I only asked if you wanted it.
It's pretty.
Okay, so you want it. He laughed a little.
Six smiled.
I'll go get it.
Oh, you don't have to!
But I want to. I love you.
Six wrapped her brother in a tight hug. Okay, but be careful.
29 nodded and turned around, sliding down to the small ledge where the flower grew. Reaching out in his small hand, he pulled the flower from where it grew and turned back around to face the cliff, smiling up at his sister. Look, Six, I've got it!
She laughed and grinned down, reaching out for the flower. I'll take it so you can get back up.
29 held up his hand, but faltered. Something was wrong with the rock, it was too crumbly, and-
His feet dropped out from beneath him. Six screamed and reached down, clawing at the air. A look of complete surprise was on his face as, barefoot, he plummeted from the clifftop.
No no no no no no! Brother! Brother! BROTHER!
Six woke up in bed, sitting straight up. The nightmares were back. It had only been yesterday that she'd lost 29...her favorite brother...the only one she was close to...and it was her fault! I told him I wanted it, I let him go after it, I said it was pretty, it IS my fault, I don't care what they say! He's gone, he's gone, and it's my fault!
None of the other Cybers had blamed her for it. They'd blamed it on 29's young confidence. Not on him, exactly, mind, just on his personality. Cybers 28 and 30 gave her cold glances, but Cyber 10 or Cyber 4 would always be right behind them, to hug her and hold her if she cried. She hadn't stopped crying, it seemed, since she returned to the mansion that afternoon and told Eva what had happened. Six was desperately afraid. Mama wasn't angry, but very saddened. And who knew WHAT Father would say? Eva had called him after the Cybers went to bed. Six couldn't bear it if Von Reichter hated her after that. She just couldn't.
The floor was cold on her feet as she left the bedroom, sitting down in the hallway outside of Eva's room. Little snatches of phone conversation could be heard. Six held her stomach tightly, trying to still the butterflies that danced in it, and muffling her sniffles in her shoulder.
A whole week....she's so near the end of her tolerance; I really don't think she can....Vonnie, it wasn't her fault.....what does she need to be taught? She already feels horrible. Twenty Nine was her best friend, her favorite, and I think she DOES think she caused it.....it's cruel. She won't be able to make it. If it hurts her in anyway, I'll-........ Six could hear quiet crying. You know I love her, Vonnie...I'll leave you if you hurt her. I swear to God I will....You'd better be sure of it. If she suffers because of you-I WON'T break down! Don't you ever think I'm that weak! I'll do what you say, but I'm warning you for the last time, if you hurt her-if you hurt ANY of them, I'm getting a divorce....no, that's final, Vonnie. Good night. Goodbye.
Six got up and scrambled quietly back to the bedroom, where she huddled beneath her sheets, stuffing her nose into the pillow. She groped beneath it, pulling out the treasured picture of her and 29, smiling, smiling like yesterday's events had never happened, like he was sleeping in the next room and tomorrow they'd both get up, and...and go back to the tree.
said a muffled voice from the end of the bed. It was 10.
she choked out, putting the picture back.
It'll be okay, he sighed.
Six turned over and curled herself into the tiniest ball she could manage. Icy. She felt icy, and nothing in the world could warm her up. Not even the rare kindness from Ten. Not even the fact that Mama had told Father how much Six was loved. Not even that picture.
Outside, rain fell against the window.
Six buried her face in the pillow.
Eva had pulled her into the empty den room, where 29 had played a few simple songs on the piano just last week. No, I have to stop thinking about it. Six bit her lip and looked at her mother.
Six...you know I love you...and I don't blame you for Brandon's death... Eva had insisted on calling the Cybers with larger designations by name. It was just her motherly instinct. But your father...well, he won't stand for it. He's angry and disappointed...Six, I'm afraid you'll have to go this week without sustenance.
A cold lump grew in her stomach as she watched her mother's face. But, Mama...why?
Eva shook her head. I don't know. Be strong, okay?
Six stared at the floor. Yeah, whatever. She turned and left the room, heading back to the dormitories.
The window was open, the curtains blowing in with the breeze. Six leaned against the sill, watching the other Cybers run in as the message echoed: All Cybers report to the medical lab, all Cybers report to the medical lab. She sighed. She was so tired without the sustenance, lethargic and depressed. She gasped in pain as her left arm suddenly crackled and glowed a bright green. The strength simply drained out of her, sinking into the floor, taking Six along with it.
That was how Ten found her, clutching her left arm and crying without tears. He ran to her, a half empty vial of sustenance in his hand. He put his left arm around her. he panted, we heard rumors about what happened. You can have mine, if you want it.
You're not...calling me....a wuss, are you?
No, but you need it, too.
Yeah, well- she fell silent as she took the vial from her younger sibling and drained it, handing it back to him gratefully. she whispered, and closed her eyes.
I miss you, 29.