It had been two months since the colossal accident, And Solaris was still in rough shape mentally. It was like a noose with the weight of two worlds attached to it around his neck pinning him down. The more he thought about it. It worse it burned at his very soul. What went wrong, Whot could have been doen differently, was it really his fault, All these nagging questions were still pouring salt onto his freshly wounded soul and it was making him insane.
'Will this madness ever end?' he thought in frustration, He was alone on the outskirts, Trying to stay away from anything that reminded him of what once was just a few short weeks earlier, Granted he said he would support his friends and family when need be it of him, He figured some time in isolation couldn't hurt him either, After all, what more did he have to lose out here,
Then a figure approched, an all too famliar one at that, and it had that look that they needed to have a serious chat 'Not again, stop playing tricks with me spirits, This not a good time for games' he thought aloud.
But the figure was very much real, and very muchly meant buisness. Perhaps it would be the help he needed to start recovering,
"Brother..." Kallisto stood before Solaris with a sad look on his face. "You need to stop what you're doing. This sadness? This guilt? It only ever leads to more sadness and more guilt. It sounds redundant I know but your friend a need you. It's important for you to keep a clear head during this time. Especially when our friends and family need you."
Solaris thought for a moment. Was this even for real? Was he hallucinating again like he did every time he went sleep. He walked up to his late brother and nuzzled him gently. Kallisto was definitely here in the flesh. But for how long?
"Brother please listen to me." Kallisto nuzzled back gently. "This is very important. Tougher trials are ahead so it's best you keep a clear head. If not everyone you love will suffer. Do you really want that?"
"No of course not brother but..." Solaris choked on his words. "I miss you so much...you're all I think about. My world ended when you died. The Ice became colder, time slowed down, and the sun stopped shining. How...how can I go on without you?"
Kallisto regarded his brother for a moment. "Maybe it's too hard and maybe it feels like you can't go on." He told Solaris. "But can you really leave behind those who've been there for you to grant me some luck. This is gonna be tough" He added
When the sun rose on that fine morning Solaris headed home. The sun hit his fur for what felt like the first time in forever. It felt warm and inviting as he walked into his familiar home. It was all how it should be save for his dead brother. But he was going to push that from his mind for now. When he towards his team he was immediately tackled by his brother Balto.
"When are you going to learn that I'm here for you?!" He scolded as he nuzzles Solaris. "I know it's been hard but you can't just give up on me!"
Solaris sighed and nuzzled his Balto back. Of course he was right just like how Kallisto was right. Man he had some really great siblings. Even when times were tough they still stood by him. It was all he could ever ask for and more.
"I know Balto and I'm sorry." He licked his bro. "I know this hasn't been easy for you either."
Balto smiled warmly at this. "Water under the glacier Solaris."
"Your right it most certainly hasn't, I'm still haunted by it every single second of every day, But it was no reason for me to just abandon everyone that ever cared about me like that. I should have thought it through a little better than I did" Solaris said
"You don't have to worry about me leaving again, I'm here to stay now guys" he added
"That better be true." Balto scolded again. "We need you here Solaris as our leader and friend."
Solaris cringed slightly. He didn't know if he was deserving of that title anymore. After all the trouble he'd caused...he just couldn't lay claim to that. "Are you sure you want me back as leader? I almost got us all killed and..."
It happened. Kallisto appeared next to Balto with a sad look on his face. It was a look of sheer and utter disappointment. Solaris shook his head but his late brother didn't budge. He just stood there watching and mocking Solaris.
"Brother...why didn't you listen?" Kallisto whined making Solaris start to pant. "Why?!"
"AHHHHHHHH!" A sharp pain filled Solaris's head as he started to hyperventilate. His mind flashed to what the doctor said at the hospital.
*One week earlier...*
"Physically he's healed all the way but mentally..." The doctor let out a huge sigh. "He's a train wreck...if he can't control his anxiety then he'll never run again..."
*present*
"Solaris look at me!" Balto begged. "It's going to be alright just breathe. Stay with me."
"I'm sorry brother..." Solaris whimpered before standing and running off unable to look at his teammates any longer...
Balto looked on in sadness. Solaris was a broken canine for sure. There was little to no hope of fixing this at the rate it was going. Especially since the poor lead dog wouldn't talk to anybody. The whole time he was in the hospital he didn't allow any visitors in. It was clear Solaris was dealing with a huge amount of depression and grief. No one could blame him though.
When you lose your health, your mental state and your brother something's gotta give. Piece by piece you could tell. Solaris was losing himself to his guilt and sadness. But then how would you feel if you'd lost everything?