Chapter 5

Grandma's voice rose, tears welling up in her eyes. "What about Ash, then? Hasn't Ash had it tough too? What has he ever received growing up? He merely got Eli's hand-me-downs and leftovers—even your love, the vast majority of it goes to Eli!"

"Mom, I…" Mom tried to defend herself, but her voice was weak and carried no confidence.

"They're both good children! What have you done as their parents? Do you not feel indebted to Ash? Does he not deserve to be loved at all?" Grandma asked.

Mom sank weakly into the chair and covered her face, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

Grandma said hoarsely, "How can you not allow the two brothers to see each other one last time? Eli is leaving tomorrow. Ash is his only brother, the one he's protected since childhood! How can you let Eli go just like that? Do you want him to leave the world with regrets?"

"I-I'm not doing that…" Mom sobbed behind her hands, her voice cracking. "I just wanted Eli's last day to be a happy one. I didn't want Ash to upset him…"

It was already late at night, and Eli's bedroom door was shut tight.

Grandma finally spoke up, her voice raspy, "Go get some sleep. We still have to be up early tomorrow…"

Mom stirred as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately, she just shook her head. "I can't fall asleep."

Dad remained where he was as well.

Grandma sighed and didn't push any further. She stood up, walked to the storage room, squatted down by the door, and said quietly through the crack, "I'm right here with you, so you have nothing to be afraid of, Ash."

I couldn't help but burst into tears again.

Thus, as time ticked away, the candle burned down to nothing, plunging the living room into darkness. Outside the window, the sky gradually paled, shifting from dark blue to slate gray and finally to the pale white of dawn.

That first ray of morning sun broke through the glass window, hitting the worn floorboards and lighting up the dust motes dancing in the air.

Grandma got up and walked over to Eli's bedroom door. She raised her hand to knock but paused halfway. She hesitated for a while before she simply whispered, "It's time to get up, Eli."

It was then that a quiet rustling came from the room, and then the door opened. Eli smiled gently and said, "Good morning, Mom, Dad, and Grandma."

Mom suddenly stood up and ran to embrace him, holding him very tightly. Dad walked over too, his hand shaking as he gently patted Eli's head.

"Eli…" Mom choked out, her voice cracking.

Eli gently patted Mom's back and said softly, "I'm alright now, Mom—I really am."

Grandma stood nearby, watching silently. She watched them for a long moment before something suddenly struck her, and she spun around toward the storage room. She then yelled out in a voice that rang out distinctly in the morning stillness, "Hurry up and let Ash out!"

Mom and Dad suddenly remembered that I was still locked in the storage room. They smiled through their tears and said repeatedly, "That's right! Get Ash out of there! He's still in the storage room! Eli is still alive! He needs to know this wonderful news!"

Mom pulled Eli along while Dad led the way. They ran toward the storage room, their faces brimming with joy.

Yet, when they reached the door and Dad pushed it open, his expression suddenly shifted drastically. He abruptly pulled his hand back, muttering, "It can't be! No way!"