Chapter 26: Conversations

"How did they find them?"

"The police said that they found the three of them inside an empty café that was being renovated down on Hudson Ave. Louis' friends reported to the police about the suspected kidnapping, and tipped the place off."

There was a sigh, followed by a silent sob.

First the car accident, and now this? I don't know what's going to happen next."

"Shhh, Eileen.  You shouldn't say that. Anyway – "

Their conversation was interrupted by a light rapping on the door. A small ray of light slightly illuminated the room.

"Excuse me, Mr. and Mrs. Stevens? The police would like to talk to you. They want to discuss with you what charges to press. If you could please follow me outside."

"Okay, we'll be right outside, thank you."

"Steve, are you sure it's alright to leave them? What if one them suddenly wakes up?"

"I'm sure it's fine. Besides, we'll just be on the other side of this door."

"…Okay."

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Ren woke up with a start. Her eyes darted around the dark room, dazed and confused. It was moments after the familiar smell of antiseptic hit her nose did she realize that she was inside a hospital room. Licking her dry lips, she waited until her eyes adjusted to her dark surroundings. The room was partially illuminated by the light coming from the moon outside. There was a small clock hanging on the wall. It read 2:30.

The steady beeping of a heart monitor sounded throughout the room, as if alerting her of the other presence beside her bed. Ren turned her head to see her brother lying on the bed next to hers.

She winced in pain as she tried to sit up. It was then that she noticed her heavily bandaged upper arm, in a sling. As well as the cast around her wrist. Ren slightly massaged her forehead, fully aware of the growing pounding on her head. Removing the oxygen from her nose, she slowly tried to get out of bed. The cold floor underneath her bare foot made her shiver a little, as she made her way towards Louis.

For Ren, the scene was all too familiar: the bleak surroundings of the room, the smell of alcohol, and the beeping sounds of the machines. Hell, how couldn't she? Not too long ago it has been her environment, which lasted for weeks. In fact, it has only been almost a month since that, and now she was back here. However, instead of Ren, it was now Louis who was lying prostrate on the bed, unmoving.

Silently, she pulled the chair right beside his bed and sat down. Ren watched her brother forlornly. There were a few bruises on his face, as well as his arms. Looking at him like that, no one would ever suspect how close he was to death. Nevertheless, Ren knew that the hospital gown only hid the hole Will created on his gut. She gave his hand a slight squeeze, before planting a light kiss on his cheek. "What was I thinking, dragging you into all of these?" She asked herself, crying bitterly.

As if to answer her, Louis suddenly stirred. He blinked a few times, and noticed his sister beside him. "Ren?" he croaked.

Ren almost jumped on her seat. "Louis," she exclaimed. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to wake you up." She started to rise from her chair. "You really should get some rest. I'll get back to my bed now. Get some sleep, I'll just – "

"No wait, Ren," he protested, grabbing her hand. "Please, just stay. I really don't feel so sleepy anymore, anyway."

Ren nodded her slowly, and promptly took her seat. Discreetly, she tried to wipe the tears from eyes. However, Louis didn't fail to notice this. For what seemed liked ages to Ren, she saw Louis break into his all too familiar goofy grin.

"What wrong?" He suddenly turned serious. "Oh no, don't tell me. I'm going to die, aren't I?" Louis asked in mocked seriousness.

"That's not funny Louis," she chastised him. "You could have, this afternoon." Ren gave him a slight slap on the shoulder.

"Ouch!"

Her eyes went wide, suddenly alarmed. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt – "

"Relax Ren, it was just a joke!" He snorted. "Just trying to lighten up the mood. Your looking very somber right there. You shoulda seen your face!" He started laughing, but soon his face contorted into a grimace as he grabbed his stomach. "Ow! Got to remind me not to do that again. It really hurts." Louis settled in a few seconds later. "Hey, what time is it, anyway? And where's mom and dad?" He went on and on and on.

"Louis," she interrupted him, suddenly growing serious.

"Hmm, yeah? What is it?"

"I just… I just want to say thank you, for saving me out there." There was a sudden pause.  "Why?" She asked. "I mean, you hated me, remember?"

Gingerly, he cupped her face into his hands. "I could never, ever, hate you, Ren." Louis said, his eyes boring intently into hers. "How could I do that? You're my only sister, for crying out loud."

"But you said so yourself. You said – "

"That was just me being crazy. I guess I was just frustrated," he said, shaking his head. "How do you think I would feel to see my sister go into a self-destructive spin?" Louis let out a sigh. "I was upset, and I said some things I shouldn't have said. I'm sorry for that."

"No, you were right. And it was my fault why we ended up here in the first place." Ren flashed him an apologetic smile. "I should be the one asking for forgiveness."

They both remained silent for a moment.

"Now can I ask you the same thing? Why? What happened to you? In just a blink of an eye you were this wild girl I hardly even knew!"

"What do you think?" Ren felt her cheeks begin to redden. "I got scared."

"Riiight. So, you went wild the first chance you got." The sarcastic tone of his voice was unmistakable.

"No, it's not like that." She paused. "You see, when we were inside that car, my life just flashed in front of my eyes. I remember thinking, 'my god that was short'." A sad smile crept on her face. "And when I saw it, I realized how… boring my life was! Never having real fun, thinking nothing besides school, books…" Ren trailed off. "It just made me snap. Then I woke up in a hospital room realizing how afraid I was… Afraid that I might go again through life missing out all the fun stuff. Life was too short not to enjoy it... and for the past eighteen years of my life, I have done everything except that. I was sitting there staring straight at my own mortality and it scared me. My life scared me." It was a confession Ren had been so longing to make, but actually too afraid to do so. In front of her brother, she wasn't afraid anymore.

It was as if someone dumped an ice-cold bucket of water on him. Beneath the calm and strong façade she has be showing, Louis never knew how much his sister was suffering. "I – I'm sorry I wasn't there you, Ren. I had no idea you were feeling that way." Louis was clenching and unclenching his fists. "Boy, how selfish could I get?" he asked himself angrily. "I was too wrapped up with myself I forgot all about how it affected you."

"Yeah, well, you weren't the only one. When I saw Will attack you with that knife, it just kinda snapped back." A single tear spilled from her eyes. Ren made no move of wiping it. "My sudden lack of responsibilities almost cost my brother his life."

That struck a chord. Louis found himself chuckling lightly at the irony they were in. "Funny," he said, addressing Ren's curious stare. "I was thinking of the same thing the last time we were here." They both grew quiet. "How my lack of responsibilities almost cost my sister her life."

"You were?"

"Yup. That's why I decided to drop that mantra. You know, the one that I kept telling you about. I wasn't about to exchange my sister's life for that."

"Oh, so that's why all of a sudden you were this goody-two-shoes brother I had! I always thought you just hit your head hard or something." Ren gave a small laugh.

Louis shot her a mocking glare. "Ha ha, very funny."

Ren rested her head on the bed. "Wow, talk about ironies. This one's for the books."

"Yeah," Louis answered, twirling locks of his sister's long brown hair into his fingers. "And here I thought it only happens in the movies." They both share a laugh, although Louis tried really hard not to.

It was there, the unmistakable bond between a brother and a sister. Only this time it was clearer… stronger than before.

Ren continued laughing in her seat.

"What?" he queried.

"I was just thinking." She lifted her head and turned towards Louis. "Pants down… sliding on the ice… I don't think it's such a bad idea."

Louis looked at her incredulously. " Wait, after all that has happened?! It's not?"

"Nah," Ren answered with an impish smile. "It's not, actually… You know, just every once in a while."

END

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Okay, first of all, the apologies! I'm so sorry these last three chapters took me so long to post. I got behind on my writing due to my schoolwork. Then when I finished a chapter, I realized that it's better if I included the other last two when I post. Don't ask me why, I have no clue where I got that idea myself. ^_^

Well anyway, moving on to the reviews… I don't think there are enough words in the dictionary that could fully express my gratitude to each and everyone that took their time to write a review for my story. I know this probably won't cut it, but THANKS a million guys! ^_^ you're the best!!! Now, I won't mention any names. I might forget to mention some of your names and thus reveal to the world how stupid I can get. ;p

So, you know who you are, guys. It was really nice working with you. Those reviews really helped me a LOT. Writing the story was really worthwhile, thanks to your reviews. See you again next time! Thanks!!!