- 21 minutes ago
My Sister's Death Countdown Turns Out to Be My🔥 drama
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00Every wolf in the silver crown pack could see it, the death countdown hovering over my older sister Selena's head.
00:07They all knew she'd be gone the moment she turned 16.
00:10Since her birth, that flickering number has hung above her head like a ghost, counting down endlessly.
00:16Naturally, she became the center of everyone and everything.
00:21The best venison was hers.
00:23The new dress, even mom's bedtime stories, all belonged to her.
00:28I felt for her, but I also hated her for it.
00:32Finally, the day of her 16th birthday arrived.
00:35That very night my parents had been dreading for 16 years.
00:39To make sure I wouldn't ruin anything, they locked me in the storage room with a magic seal while I
00:46was burning up with blood fever.
00:48Dad! Mom! Let me out! I'm burning up! My bones hurt so bad!
00:54Every wolf knows what that means.
00:56My wolf spirit was waking up. Through the door, I heard mom hiss through gritted teeth.
01:02Enough, Amber! Your sister is going to die after today, can't you just endure this last day?
01:08But I feel so bad.
01:10Before I could finish, the footsteps faded.
01:14Then it went silent. My wolf spirit whimpered, struggling to stand and trying to save me.
01:20But in the room, there was no moonlight, no fresh air, and no one.
01:25Slowly, the whimpering faded. So did my breath.
01:30My body suddenly felt light. I drifted right through the door and floated into the warm glow of the living
01:36room.
01:36The fireplace was crackling.
01:39My parents were huddled close to my sister on the sofa. Mom was gently patting her back.
01:44Selena was wearing that blue dress, the gift from Luna.
01:47It was moonlit blue, with delicate silver stars, dusted across the hem.
01:53Her face was deathly pale, and her lips drained of all color.
01:57Mom, Dad? Is Amber really alright? I heard her crying out that her body hurt.
02:04Ignore her.
02:06Mom agreed to it as she reached out to touch Selena's cheek, fixing her hair.
02:10She's just pretending to be sick, honey. You know how she is. Jealous, always trying to draw everyone's attention to
02:17herself.
02:18But she sounded so scared.
02:20Selena, you only have one single day left.
02:25Selena, I'm begging you, please don't let her ruin this for you.
02:29I knew she felt guilty.
02:32Ever since I could remember, all the love and attention in the family seemed to belong to her.
02:37Selena tried to make it up to me.
02:40She'd hide the venison in my pockets, and sneak her new wool socks under my pillow.
02:45When Dad tried to hit me, she'd throw herself in front of me without a second thought.
02:50She always said the same.
02:51I'm sorry, Amber. It's all my fault.
02:55But our parents thought otherwise.
02:57Mom sighed, her eyes filled with pity.
03:00Don't defend her, Selena.
03:01That child has been jealous of you since she could walk, and hates to see you happy.
03:06Don't you remember your 14th birthday?
03:09I ruined everything on her 14th birthday, and it was also the first time I truly realized that my sister
03:15was dying.
03:16Dad traded that day's hunt for a small cake, white frosting and 14 candles.
03:21Mom lit them one by one, while Dad held his old camera, trying to capture her while she was still
03:27here.
03:29I watched her make wishes from behind the door, the candlelight flickering on her face, and the tears in our
03:36parents' eyes.
03:37Above her head, the countdown number read, 730 days.
03:43Two years.
03:44Something inside me snapped.
03:46I rushed out.
03:47I didn't know what I was thinking at the time.
03:50Maybe it was jealousy, or maybe I just couldn't accept the fact that my sister, who had always been so
03:55kind to me, was about to die.
03:57I flipped the cake over.
03:59Cream splattered all over the floor, and the candles rolled into the corner, quickly burning out.
04:04I don't want to see you celebrating her birthday!
04:08I screamed like every other naughty kid.
04:10I still remember the way my parents looked at me.
04:13I didn't dodge at all when Dad slapped me.
04:16One slap, and two, and three.
04:18Mom stood there crying, but she didn't stop him.
04:21It was Selena who threw herself over me, like a mother wolf protecting her cub.
04:26Stop hitting, sister, Dad!
04:28Please stop!
04:29It's my fault!
04:30It's all my fault!
04:31That night, she sneaked into my room and placed half a piece of candy she'd saved into my palm.
04:36There was a red mark on her wrist, scratched by the chair when she had rushed over to protect me.
04:42I'm sorry.
04:44She whispered, touching my swollen cheek.
04:48I'm leaving soon.
04:49From now on, no one will compete with you for things anymore.
04:52Right then, in the living room, Mom was stroking Selena's cheek with aching tenderness, her fingers brushing through her hair.
04:58Selena, don't pay attention to her.
05:01That child has always been jealous of you, you know that.
05:05I froze.
05:06Yes, she was right.
05:07I really am jealous of Selena.
05:09I was jealous that she had all their love.
05:11Jealous that she got to wear new dresses.
05:14Jealous that when she was sick, Mom would stay by her side all night.
05:18Jealous that even if she only had one day left to live, she was still the golden child.
05:23I drifted toward my sister, reaching out to grab her hand.
05:27I wanted to tell her that I really was burning up, and it hurt like my body was on fire.
05:33But my hand went right through her body, like it was passing through a cloud of mist.
05:37I hovered there, staring at my transparent fingers.
05:41Then, I looked back at the locked door of the storage room.
05:45A faint light seeped through the crack.
05:47I drifted through the door and saw my own body on the ground.
05:50My skin looked deathly pale against the cold ground.
05:54My spirit wolf was huddled around my heart, still and frozen.
05:57There are still a few hours left on the death clock above Selena's head.
06:01It turned out that death came to me first before her.
06:06Memories flooded back like a relentless tide.
06:09When I was young, I really did hate Selena.
06:12If there was only one piece of candy in the house, it was hers.
06:16But the only apple in the house went to my sister Selena.
06:20She was always the first to get new clothes.
06:22I wore her old ones, with patches layered over patches.
06:26Even the bedtime stories belonged to her.
06:29Mom's voice is very gentle, but she only read those stories to Selena.
06:33I'd huddle outside the door, hugging my knees,
06:36listening to those beautiful tales, while my heart twisted in my chest.
06:41Why just her, but not me?
06:44The summer I turned seven, a neighboring pack sent a chicken as a peace offering.
06:49At dinner, she pulled out two golden drumsticks and put both into Selena's bowl.
06:53Eat up, sweetheart. You need to grow strength.
06:57I stared at my own bowl.
06:59Why does she get both? I want one!
07:01Amber Blackbill! How can you be so selfish? Your sister is sick, don't you know?
07:06Why is everything hers?
07:08Why don't you just die already?
07:09Give them back to me! All of them!
07:15She has to learn. She needs to know the boundaries and watch her mouth in this house.
07:20The next day, I overheard my parents in the kitchen.
07:25Only nine years left.
07:27I know.
07:29Nine years! Only nine years left!
07:33That's all she has left.
07:34That was when I realized.
07:36Those numbers above Selena's head were never some kind of a game.
07:39They were a countdown to the end of her life.
07:43In the living room, Mom and Dad's eyes were swollen as they carefully took Selena back to her room.
07:48As I watched, something sour and painful suddenly welled up inside me.
07:53Maybe we should let Amber out.
07:54Dad whispered, um remained silent for a while.
07:57Let her suffer a little longer.
07:59Let Selena have a perfect birthday.
08:02Just this one day, the last...
08:04We will definitely make it up to her.
08:06At least, let Selena have a perfect birthday.
08:11Just this one day, the last day.
08:14Amber will understand us.
08:16Dad didn't say another word.
08:18He simply went to the kitchen,
08:20took a slice of stale bread from the cupboard,
08:22and walked toward the storage room door.
08:24Dad whispered to the door,
08:26Amber,
08:27Daddy brought you bread.
08:29Will you eat a little?
08:31I was drifting right in front of him.
08:33His eyes were all red,
08:35and his hair was already graying.
08:36He's only 38,
08:37but he looked like 50.
08:39Daddy,
08:39I'm here.
08:41I'm dead.
08:42Will you open the door and see me?
08:46Amber?
08:46He called out again.
08:47I reached out to touch his face,
08:49but my hand went straight through him.
08:51Not a sound from the room.
08:54He sighed and pushed the bread under the door.
08:56Be angry if you want.
08:58When your sister is gone,
09:00Daddy will make it all up to you.
09:03I swear.
09:04He turned and walked away.
09:05He didn't open the door to check on me.
09:07Watching his back,
09:08I said softly,
09:09No need,
09:09Daddy.
09:10You don't have to compensate me anymore.
09:12You will never have the chance.
09:16A moment later,
09:18Mom came.
09:19Amber,
09:19don't blame Mom,
09:20okay?
09:23Your sister only has one day left.
09:25Just,
09:26let her have her way.
09:30She wiped her tears,
09:32almost as if she were embarrassed,
09:34like crying was something to be ashamed of.
09:37After she's gone,
09:39I'll cook all your favorite foods,
09:40buy anything you want,
09:42and take you wherever you want to go.
09:46I'll do all of it.
09:47I swear.
09:49So just for today,
09:51please,
09:53stop acting out,
09:55okay?
09:55She waited for a while,
09:57but the other side of the door
09:58remained deathly silent.
10:00The grief on her face
10:04You ungrateful brat!
10:06You can't even hold it together
10:07for one night!
10:09She muttered,
10:10her voice cracking with a sob.
10:12You don't care about us at all.
10:14We raised you all these years
10:15for nothing!
10:18She turned around
10:19and walked away.
10:21I drifted in the dark,
10:22staring at the spot
10:22where her tears dropped.
10:23It's okay, Mom.
10:24You don't need
10:25to keep those promises anymore.
10:28By dusk,
10:28the light outside was fading.
10:30Mom was putting up
10:31the birthday decorations,
10:32and just as she finished
10:33sticking the birthday banner
10:34on the wall,
10:35someone knocked at the door.
10:37Three slow knocks.
10:38Only Grandma knocks like that.
10:43Grandma Maeve stood on the porch.
10:45She was tiny,
10:46wrapped in a dark wool shawl,
10:48holding a stuffed bag.
10:49What are you doing here?
10:51To see Selena.
10:52Her voice was low and gravelly,
10:54like stones grinding together.
10:56She didn't wait for an invite.
10:57She just walked right in,
10:58as always.
10:59She set the bag on the table,
11:01apples,
11:02four of them,
11:03bright red and perfectly round,
11:04a small pouch of candied fruit,
11:06a jar of blackberry jam.
11:08It's her birthday tomorrow.
11:10I wanted to be with her.
11:13She's resting.
11:15I'll tell her you stopped by.
11:16Where is Amber?
11:18The question sliced the air.
11:20Mom stopped.
11:24She's in her room,
11:26doing her homework.
11:27Grandma said nothing.
11:28She just stared at Mom
11:30with those pale gray eyes.
11:31She had once been the Pax Luna,
11:33and those eyes had seen things
11:34others couldn't.
11:35Homework.
11:36Grandma repeated flatly.
11:39I'll go see her.
11:41Mom, wait!
11:43Mom blocked the hallway,
11:44standing in Grandma's way.
11:45She's been acting out lately.
11:48I put her in the cellar
11:49to calm down,
11:50just for a little while.
11:52Mom's voice went up,
11:53just like when she lied.
11:54Grandma stood perfectly still.
11:56Just until tomorrow.
11:57You know how she is.
11:58She's just jealous of Selena.
12:00She always tries to ruin everything,
12:02especially on a night like tonight.
12:05You locked that child in the cellar.
12:09Mom wanted to explain,
12:11but said nothing.
12:12Grandma's face darkened,
12:14inch by inch.
12:15She took a step forward,
12:16and Mom flinched.
12:18Eleanor.
12:19Grandma's voice was very,
12:20very soft,
12:21but even louder than screaming.
12:23Amber is your daughter, too.
12:25I know,
12:26but Selena...
12:27Yes.
12:27I know about Selena.
12:29I have known since the day she was born,
12:31the day that cursed clock
12:33appeared above her head.
12:34I know you love her.
12:35I know you want to give her everything
12:37before she leaves.
12:38I know every minute with her
12:40is like water in your palms,
12:42ready to slip away at any moment.
12:44But what about Amber?
12:46What has Amber ever had?
12:48Selena's handy downs,
12:50patched and repatched.
12:51Two pairs of shoes for the entire year.
12:54Even your love.
12:55You couldn't bear to give that.
12:59You measured it out
13:00like it was something that would run dry.
13:03You gave Selena the river
13:05and left Amber only the drops.
13:07It's not like that.
13:09I didn't...
13:09Now, on the last night,
13:10you won't even let them see each other?
13:13Selena is dying,
13:15and Amber is her only sister.
13:17Her only sister, Eleanor!
13:19The only person in this house
13:21that Selena ever chose to love.
13:23Not out of duty,
13:25not because of the clock,
13:26but because she wanted to.
13:30She grabbed Mom by the shoulders,
13:33her fingers digging in.
13:34Do you really think Selena
13:34can rest in peace
13:36knowing her little sister
13:37is locked in a cellar?
13:40Is this the last memory, Emma,
13:41you want her to have
13:42and die along with it?
13:47Mom slid down the wall
13:48and collapsed on the floor,
13:50curling into a ball.
13:51I just...
13:51I just wanted Selena
13:53to be happy tonight.
13:54I didn't want Amber to ruin it.
13:57I just wanted one night.
13:59A perfect night.
14:02Night deepened.
14:03In the living room,
14:05no one moved.
14:06Mom sat on the floor
14:08with face buried in her knees.
14:10Dad sat in his chair,
14:11staring into space,
14:13his hands hanging limp.
14:14Grandma sat on the sofa,
14:16her back straight,
14:17eyes fixed on the cellar door
14:19at the end of the hallway.
14:20Go get some sleep.
14:22She finally said,
14:24her voice hoarse.
14:25I just couldn't.
14:27Dad didn't even react.
14:28Grandma sighed.
14:30She stood up slowly,
14:31walked to the storage room door,
14:33and sat down on the floor.
14:35Amber,
14:36Grandma's here.
14:37Don't be afraid.
14:38My tears fell like rain.
14:40Time passed by.
14:42The fire in the hearth died out.
14:44Moonlight crept through the window.
14:46The sky brightened.
14:48From black to charcoal,
14:49from charcoal to slate.
14:51Grandma walked to Selena's door.
14:53She raised her hand to knock,
14:55hesitated,
14:56then stopped.
14:57Finally, she spoke in a whisper.
14:59Selena, it's time to wake up.
15:01There were sounds inside,
15:02and the door opened.
15:04Selena stood there,
15:05alive.
15:06I looked at the clock above her head.
15:09The numbers had hit zero.
15:13The numbers had hit zero,
15:15but she was standing there breathing.
15:17Her face was flushed with life,
15:19which I'd never seen in years.
15:21Grandma?
15:22Mom?
15:23Dad?
15:23She looked down at her hands,
15:25turning them over,
15:26flexing her fingers.
15:29I'm...
15:29I'm still here?
15:30Mom was laughing,
15:32and sobbing,
15:32and howling all at once.
15:34She lunged at Selena,
15:35clinging her tightly.
15:37Dad stumbled over,
15:38trembling,
15:39burying his face in Selena's hair.
15:40You're alive.
15:42You're alive.
15:44Above Selena's head,
15:45the death clock was gone.
15:47There was nothing but air.
15:48The countdown vanished,
15:49but Grandma,
15:50standing behind them all,
15:52her face suddenly went deathly pale.
15:54She whipped around,
15:55staring at the cellar door.
15:56Amber!
15:57Open the cellar!
15:58Now!
15:59She said in panic.
16:01Right!
16:01Amber's still in there.
16:03Let her out!
16:03Selena's alive!
16:04This is...
16:05Oh, it's amazing!
16:06We have to tell her!
16:08Dad strode down the hall,
16:09a smile breaking through his tear-stained face.
16:12Selena followed barefoot.
16:14Amber?
16:15Amber, did you hear?
16:17I'm okay now!
16:18The clock, it's gone!
16:19I'm not going to die!
16:20Dad walked to the cellar door.
16:22He grabbed the iron handle,
16:24pulled it open,
16:24and stopped dead.
16:25His entire body froze.
16:27The joy drained from his face in an instant.
16:30He backed away,
16:31hand flying to cover his mouth.
16:33No.
16:36No, no, no.
16:38What is it?
16:40Mom pushed past him.
16:42Thomas, what's wrong?
16:43Move!
16:44Let me...
16:44She stepped over the threshold
16:45and looked inside.
16:46I was curled in the corner,
16:48wedged between a broken rocking chair
16:50and a pile of firewood.
16:52My eyes were squeezed shut.
16:53The bread Dad shoved under the door
16:55is still there,
16:56untouched.
16:57Amber?
17:02Amber, wake up.
17:04Baby, open your eyes.
17:06Mom's voice broke.
17:07She knelt beside me,
17:08her trembling hand reaching out.
17:10She gave my shoulder a little nudge.
17:12My body was limp.
17:13I just swayed a little as she pushed me.
17:15Her hand slid from my shoulder to my cheek.
17:17No.
17:18No.
17:19No.
17:21Thomas!
17:22Amber, she's just...
17:23She's just cold.
17:24She's just sleeping.
17:25We need to warm her up.
17:27Her fingers jerked back
17:28as if they'd been burned.
17:30She threw herself backward,
17:31collapsing onto the floor.
17:35Amber.
17:36Amber, baby.
17:37Mom's here.
17:38Wake up.
17:39Look at me.
17:40Mom will make you roast rabbit.
17:42A whole one.
17:43Just for you.
17:44I'll buy you that dress with the bow,
17:46remember?
17:46The one at the trading post?
17:48We'll go tomorrow.
17:49First thing.
17:51Please open your eyes.
17:53You can hit me.
17:55You can scream at me.
17:56I don't care.
17:57Just open your eyes.
18:00Dad knelt beside her.
18:02He pressed two fingers
18:03against the side of my neck.
18:05The pulse point.
18:06The only place that matters.
18:07His fingers stayed for five seconds.
18:09Ten seconds.
18:10Fifteen.
18:11Then his hand dropped to his side,
18:13and he let out a sound
18:14I'd never heard.
18:16She's gone.
18:19Eleanor.
18:20She.
18:21Amber.
18:22Don't say it!
18:27She gathered my cold, rigid frame
18:29into her arms, rocking me.
18:31She didn't.
18:32She couldn't.
18:32She was yelling last night.
18:34She was calling for me.
18:36She's right here.
18:36Selene stood in the doorway.
18:38She gripped the doorframe,
18:39shaking all over.
18:40She saw her parents huddled and weeping.
18:43She saw that tiny, cold body in the corner.
18:45Her lips trembled.
18:48Amber.
18:49She whispered.
18:50Then her eyes rolled back,
18:52and she collapsed.
18:53Selene!
18:54The cellar room was a total mess.
18:58Selene woke up at noon.
19:00Mom sat by her bed,
19:01her eyes swollen red.
19:03Thank the goddess.
19:04You're okay.
19:06You're finally okay.
19:07Selene opened her eyes.
19:09She stared at the ceiling for a long time.
19:11Where's Amber?
19:12Mom's lips trembled.
19:14Fresh tears welled up instantly,
19:16spilling down cheeks already raw from crying.
19:19She couldn't finish the sentence.
19:22Selene bolted upright,
19:23throwing off the covers.
19:25Wait!
19:25Selene, you just blacked out.
19:27You need to rest.
19:28Where's she?
19:30What?
19:31Her scream tore through the small house.
19:33In the living room.
19:36Your father is holding her.
19:39Selene pushed her aside
19:40and ran barefoot down the hallway.
19:42In the living room,
19:44Dad was sitting on the floor
19:45with me in his arms.
19:47He wasn't crying anymore.
19:48He just stared into space with hollow eyes.
19:51He held me stiffly,
19:53like I was fragile glass
19:54or a lifeline he couldn't let go of.
19:57Selene saw it,
19:58and her feet skidded to a halt.
19:59She stood there
20:00in the middle of the living room,
20:02looking at me,
20:03then at Dad,
20:04just taking in the whole farce.
20:08Amber has a fever.
20:10She had a bad fever last night,
20:12but I am cooling her down.
20:16See?
20:17She is less hot already.
20:20She is cooling down.
20:21She just needs to sleep
20:23and she will be fine.
20:26By tonight,
20:26she will be running around again.
20:28You know her.
20:28Amber cannot keep still for a moment.
20:34Dad.
20:35Dad, look at me.
20:37I am Selene.
20:41No.
20:42You are Amber?
20:43Amber is feeling much better
20:45and will wake up soon.
20:46Dad!
20:47Amber is dead!
20:48She is dead!
20:50Do you hear me?
20:51You are lying!
20:53She is not dead!
20:55She is sleeping!
20:56She is just tired from the fever
20:58and she needs rest!
20:59And if you wake her up,
21:00I swear by the goddess!
21:12Grandma stepped out of the kitchen
21:13with a glass of water.
21:15She went over to Dad,
21:17crouched down,
21:17and held out the glass of water.
21:21Drink some water.
21:23Dad looked at her
21:24but didn't move.
21:26She set the glass down
21:31and gently began to pry his arm open.
21:36Let go, Thomas.
21:39Dad's hands were shaking,
21:41but he didn't loosen his grip.
21:43Mom.
21:44He choked out.
21:47Amber is not dead.
21:49She was just...
21:49Grandma cut him off.
21:50She is dead.
21:51Heavy tears streaming down.
21:53Your daughter is dead.
21:55You locked her in the cellar
21:56for a whole night.
21:57She got blood fever.
21:58She needed moonlight,
21:59open space,
22:00someone to hold her
22:01during her first transformation.
22:03But she died alone
22:04in the dark
22:05on the cold floor.
22:06Every word hit him
22:07like a physical blow.
22:09Dad's face contorted
22:10as tears burst from his eyes,
22:12his whole body shaking violently.
22:14He shook his head.
22:15I don't know.
22:17I thought she was faking.
22:19I just wanted Selina
22:21to have a quiet night.
22:22I don't know.
22:24You know.
22:29She called.
22:30She said she hurt.
22:31She said she had a fever.
22:32You heard her.
22:35Eleanor heard her too.
22:36You just didn't believe her.
22:38Mom stumbled out of the bedroom,
22:40frozen in the hallway.
22:41She told you.
22:43She banged on the door
22:44to tell you she was burning up.
22:45She said she had a headache.
22:47She begged you to let her out.
22:49She stopped for a beat.
22:51You all heard her.
22:52You just didn't believe her.
22:55A knock sounded
22:56through the afternoon.
22:57A sharp, rapid rapping.
23:00Mom opened the door
23:01with swollen eyes.
23:02There stood Margaret Thorne,
23:04the pack's biggest gossip,
23:06a basket of herbs on her arm,
23:08and blatant curiosity
23:09written all over her face.
23:11Oh, my Eleanor,
23:12what's all that noise?
23:13Half the pack
23:13can hear the crying.
23:14She peeked past Mom
23:15into the dim room.
23:17Don't tell me.
23:18It's Selina.
23:19The clock.
23:20Get out.
23:21But Margaret stretched her neck
23:23and stood on tiptoe,
23:24trying to see past
23:25the hallway at Grandma,
23:26sitting in the living room,
23:28holding something
23:28wrapped tightly in a blanket.
23:30Oh, poor thing.
23:31I knew she wouldn't
23:31live through the night.
23:32Sure enough.
23:33Grandma spoke flatly
23:34from the sofa,
23:35her voice void
23:36of all emotion.
23:36It's not Selina.
23:38Margaret blinked in confusion.
23:40Not Selina?
23:41She drew closer,
23:42squinting at the small shape
23:43held in Grandma's arms.
23:45Then she caught sight of my face.
23:46Her eyes widened in shock.
23:48That's...
23:48That's the little one?
23:50Amber?
23:51Amber's dead?
23:52How could Amber die?
23:54Wasn't Selina
23:55the one who was dying?
23:56Mom suddenly snapped.
23:57She stepped forward,
23:58grabbed Margaret by the collar,
23:59and pushed her hard.
24:00The herb basket went flying,
24:02spilling dried lavender
24:03and wolfsbane
24:04all across the porch.
24:05Get out!
24:06Get out of my house!
24:09I...
24:10I didn't say anything wrong.
24:11It's Selina
24:12who's going to die anyway.
24:14Doesn't your whole family
24:15revolve around her?
24:16Good food,
24:17nice clothes,
24:18all for her.
24:19Now look,
24:21the one who died
24:22isn't the one
24:23who deserved it.
24:24It's the one
24:25who shouldn't have...
24:25Shut up!
24:26Selina stepped out
24:27into the hallway,
24:28barefoot,
24:29eyes red and puffy,
24:30trembling from head to toe.
24:32You dare say her name?
24:33You dare talk about my sister?
24:35Faced with the wild,
24:37heart-wrenching grief
24:37on Selina's face,
24:39Margaret was instantly frightened.
24:41She wisely held her tongue
24:42and hurried away
24:43with her scattered herbs.
24:45Quietness settled heavily
24:46over the cottage.
24:48Grandma handled everything.
24:50She washed me
24:51with warm,
24:52pine-infused water,
24:53an old ritual
24:54practiced by the earliest
24:56wolf packs
24:56for the departed.
24:58She dressed me
24:59in funeral clothes
25:00brought from the old lands.
25:02Soft white linen
25:03embroidered with delicate
25:04silver blossoms
25:05along the collar.
25:06It was the most beautiful
25:07garment I had ever worn.
25:09The fabric felt gentle
25:11against my skin,
25:12softer than anything
25:13I had known in life.
25:15As Grandma carried me outside,
25:17those silver flowers
25:19glistened faintly
25:20in the light.
25:20Let me do it.
25:21It should be me.
25:23Don't touch her.
25:25Grandma never lifted her eyes.
25:26You do not deserve
25:27to touch her now.
25:28Mom leaned weakly
25:30against the wall
25:30and sank slowly
25:32to the ground.
25:32The farewell ceremony
25:34took place at an altar
25:35hidden deep
25:36within the territory,
25:37encircled by dense oak woods.
25:39I rested inside
25:40a tiny pine coffin
25:41clad in the white burial gown
25:43Grandma had prepared.
25:44The tiny silver flowers
25:45on the collar
25:46shimmered faintly
25:47beneath the dull daylight.
25:48Kneeling beside the altar,
25:50Mom stretched out her hand,
25:52longing to touch my face
25:53for the very last time.
25:54Grandma gently held her back.
25:56The pack elder walked over
25:58leaning on his wooden staff.
26:00Dressed in faded ceremonial robes,
26:02his white hair drifted
26:03like wispy smoke
26:04amid the misty rain.
26:06He took the torch,
26:07glanced up at the overcast sky
26:09without a single glance
26:10at anyone present,
26:11and murmured an ancient prayer
26:13under his breath.
26:14After that,
26:15he held the flame
26:16to the edge of the pine wall.
26:18Flames lapped at the wood
26:19timidly.
26:21Mom lunged for the fire.
26:23Don't go!
26:24Amber!
26:25Don't go!
26:26Mommy's coming with you!
26:27Three pack members
26:28held her back tightly.
26:29She thrashed,
26:30kicked, and screamed
26:31until her voice
26:32barely sounded human.
26:34Dad was slamming his head
26:35against the ground.
26:36Once.
26:37Twice.
26:38Again.
26:39Blood oozed from his forehead,
26:41blending with the rain
26:42and staining the mud
26:43beneath him pink.
26:45Selena stood apart
26:46from them all.
26:47She did not cry.
26:49She simply watched the flames
26:50devour the small box
26:52that held me.
26:53Little by little,
26:54I hovered in midair,
26:56witnessing everything.
26:57I gazed at my elder sister.
26:59That damned countdown
27:00was gone for good,
27:01her face pale,
27:03yet full of life.
27:04There was nothing there,
27:05then glanced above her head.
27:07It was alright.
27:08My sister was alive.
27:10My death had not been in vain.
27:12At the very least,
27:13she survived.
27:14The old wolves
27:15always said a life for a life,
27:17and this time,
27:18the goddess had taken mine
27:19in exchange for hers.
27:20When the farewell ritual ended,
27:22Grandma took hold of my ash urn.
27:24She wrapped it gently
27:25in the soft inner fleece
27:27of her shawl
27:27and held it close to her heart.
27:29Mother,
27:30where are you taking her?
27:31Home.
27:32To the old territory.
27:34You can't.
27:35She's our daughter.
27:36We want her here.
27:37With us,
27:38so we can visit her.
27:39Mom dropped to her knees
27:40at Grandma's feet.
27:41Please.
27:41I'll visit her grave every day.
27:44I'll leave flowers
27:45every full moon.
27:46I need her with me.
27:47I need to be close to her.
27:49You need her now?
27:50Grandma stared down
27:51at the woman
27:52clinging desperately
27:53to her legs.
27:54Her tongue was cold as ice.
27:55Where was this need
27:57when she was alive?
27:58Mom's wife,
27:59I'm not supposed to
28:00do all the part
28:01for the last.
28:02I'm sorry.
28:03I know I'm sorry.
28:07Sorry?
28:08Grandma laughed.
28:09She's dead, Eleanor.
28:11Dead in the cellar
28:12and now you want
28:12to talk to me
28:13about sorry?
28:15She pried Mom's hands
28:16off her.
28:17These ashes are mine.
28:18You and Thomas
28:19will never touch them.
28:20You lived with a living,
28:21breathing child
28:22for 16 years
28:23who loved you,
28:24who only wanted
28:25a little of your attention
28:26and you threw her away.
28:29Now she's gone
28:30and you don't deserve
28:31to have her.
28:31She turned toward the path.
28:33Dad chased after her.
28:34Mother!
28:34Grabbing her arm.
28:35Please,
28:36give her back to us.
28:37I'm begging you.
28:38Grandmother stopped
28:39in her tracks
28:39and slowly turned around.
28:41She looked at her son,
28:42at his bleeding forehead,
28:43his shattered face.
28:45For a second,
28:46a flash of pity
28:46crossed her eyes.
28:48Then it vanished.
28:49Let go, Thomas.
28:50Mother, mother...
28:52I said let go!
28:54Grandma pulled away,
28:56adjusted the box
28:56in her shawl
28:57and disappeared
28:58into the rain.
28:59She didn't look back.
29:01Not once.
29:02Mom collapsed
29:03and he died.
29:03Dad fell beside her.
29:05They clung to each other
29:06and howled,
29:07real,
29:07or foul,
29:08primal,
29:08beastly,
29:09and completely broken.
29:10Selina stood under the ash tree,
29:12watching grandmother's small figure
29:14vanish into the gray woods.
29:16She looked up
29:17at the weeping clouds
29:18and for a moment,
29:20I thought she was looking
29:21right at me.
29:22Selina sat on the ground,
29:24hugging herself tight
29:25and buried her face
29:26in her knees.
29:29The rain fell harder.
29:31Grandmother returned
29:32to the old land
29:32by carriage.
29:33It was a three-hour journey
29:35through dense forests,
29:36following a river
29:37that smelled of moss
29:39and cold stone.
29:40I drifted beside her
29:41the whole way,
29:42watching her face.
29:43She didn't cry.
29:45Her jaw was set,
29:46eyes fixed straight ahead,
29:47her hands steady
29:48on the reins.
29:49She looked like
29:50who she used to be,
29:52a luna,
29:53the wolf that had led
29:54a pack through three years
29:55of famine
29:56and a territory war.
29:57But I could see her thumb
29:58stroking the wooden box,
30:00hidden beneath her shawl,
30:01a bottomless grief
30:02tucked away inside.
30:04It was dark when we returned.
30:05Her cottage was small
30:07and weathered,
30:08a single room
30:09with a stone fireplace,
30:10a narrow bed,
30:12a table,
30:12and two chairs.
30:14It was the kind of place
30:15that smelled of dried sage,
30:17pine sap,
30:18and the trace
30:19of decades of living.
30:20She started a fire,
30:22the flames caught quickly,
30:23casting a warm
30:24glow against the walls.
30:26She placed the box
30:27on the table,
30:28right in the center.
30:29Then she lit
30:29three white candles,
30:31the old-fashioned kind,
30:32made of beeswax
30:33that burned slowly.
30:35The flames held steady.
30:37Grandmother stood
30:37before the table
30:38for a long time.
30:39And then,
30:40she looked up
30:41directly at me.
30:42Ambie,
30:43come here, sweetheart.
30:44I froze.
30:47I froze.
30:48Grandmother?
30:49I mouthed.
30:50You can see me?
30:51She nodded.
30:52I've always been able to.
30:53She said.
30:55Since I was a girl.
30:56The moon touched me
30:57when I was born,
30:58or that's just what
30:59people always said.
31:00I see things
31:01others don't.
31:03She reached out her arms.
31:05Come, child.
31:06Come to grandmother.
31:08Tears I thought
31:09were long gone
31:09welled up.
31:10I drifted toward her,
31:12rushing so fast
31:13that my body
31:14passed right through her.
31:15I stood in front of her,
31:16looking down
31:17at my transparent,
31:18useless hands.
31:19She held the air
31:20where I was supposed to be.
31:22It's all right,
31:23she whispered.
31:24Little one.
31:25Her voice growing husky.
31:27I can feel you
31:28right here.
31:29She closed her eyes.
31:31A drop of tear
31:31escaped from her
31:32wrinkled eyelids,
31:33sliding down her cheek
31:35to splash against the floor.
31:36I drifted back
31:37into the space
31:38of her embrace,
31:39even though
31:39I could not be held.
31:41I curled myself,
31:42head against her shoulder,
31:43and there we stayed
31:44for a long, long time.
31:46The candles burned
31:47an inch shorter.
31:48Outside the window,
31:49the moon rose,
31:50full and silver white.
31:52Grandmother spoke first.
31:53Tell me, Amber.
31:55She pulled back slightly,
31:56her hands still cupping my face.
31:58Are you all right?
31:59After,
32:01after what happened?
32:02Was I all right?
32:03I was a dead child.
32:05I pointed to my chest,
32:06then toward the ceiling,
32:08then I made a small,
32:09drifting motion
32:10with my fingers,
32:11like a falling leaf.
32:15Grandmother understood immediately.
32:17Unmoored,
32:18unfloated,
32:18she whispered,
32:19nowhere to land.
32:21I nodded.
32:22She reached out,
32:23trying to stroke my hair.
32:25Her fingers passed
32:25through my head,
32:26and she slowly lowered
32:27her hand back.
32:28I know, sweetheart.
32:30I know.
32:30She stood up,
32:32her knees creaking,
32:33and walked to a small cupboard
32:34in the corner.
32:35She came back holding an apple,
32:37a whole apple.
32:38Here, eat, sweetheart.
32:40I don't have much,
32:40but this is a sweet apple.
32:42I picked it from the tree
32:43behind the house this morning.
32:45I've been saving it for you.
32:47I stared at that apple.
32:48In my eight years of life,
32:50I had never had
32:50a whole apple to myself.
32:52There was always Selena,
32:54always a knife slicing it in two,
32:56the larger half going to her,
32:58a thin slice going to me.
32:59I'm not really hungry, Amber.
33:01She always trying to give me
33:01bites of hers.
33:04Have mine.
33:06Trying to make up
33:07for what others
33:07had stolen from me.
33:09But I had never,
33:10ever had a whole apple,
33:11a complete, perfect, uncut one.
33:14All mine.
33:15I drifted toward the table.
33:17I couldn't eat it,
33:18but I could smell it.
33:19Its sweet scent
33:20filled the space around me.
33:22Is it sweet?
33:23I nodded,
33:24even though she couldn't
33:25see me clearly.
33:26She smiled,
33:27and then that smile
33:28broke into a sob.
33:29She whispered,
33:31great, that's great,
33:32wiping her eyes with her shell,
33:33as if she were angry
33:34at herself for crying.
33:36Then, she sat down
33:37across from me.
33:40She talked all night.
33:41She told me when I was three,
33:43when she came to see me.
33:44Asked for a story.
33:45Asked for a story.
33:47I climbed into her lap
33:48and asked for a story.
33:49So she told me the tale
33:50of the mother wolf
33:51and the falling star
33:52until I fell asleep
33:54in her arms.
33:55When I was four,
33:56it was winter.
33:57I caught my first fever.
33:59She stayed up for three nights,
34:00pressing damp cloths
34:01to my forehead
34:02and humming ancient moon hymns
34:04until the fever was gone.
34:05When I was five that summer,
34:07my parents finally let her
34:08take me to the old territory
34:09for a week,
34:10just me,
34:11without Selena.
34:12I had run wild
34:12through the meadows
34:13chasing rabbits,
34:14returning to the cottage
34:15filthy and stained with grass,
34:17laughing until I was breathless.
34:19Your laughter lasted
34:20the whole week,
34:21grandmother said.
34:22Just after that week,
34:23I never heard you laugh
34:24like that again.
34:27I remembered
34:28every single thing.
34:30She kept talking
34:31and talking.
34:32Her voice grew softer
34:33and her eyes heavier.
34:34The candles burned
34:35until turned
34:35into a small pools of wax.
34:40Outside,
34:40the sky began to brighten.
34:42The edge of the horizon
34:43turned a dull gray,
34:44then silver,
34:45then the palest gold.
34:47Grandmother stopped talking.
34:48She looked at me
34:49and I knew she couldn't
34:50see me clearly anymore.
34:51My edges were blurring.
34:52Amber,
34:53she whispered.
34:54You're leaving, aren't you?
34:55I nodded.
34:56She closed her eyes
34:57when she opened them again.
34:59That's good.
34:59You've suffered enough.
35:00They were wet,
35:01though she was smiling.
35:01Listen to me.
35:03When the moon goddess
35:04sends you out again,
35:05choose better parents.
35:06Find someone who will hold you
35:08when you have a fever.
35:09Find a father who will give you
35:10the whole apple.
35:11Don't come back to this house.
35:12There is nothing left for you.
35:13Find a family who will truly want you
35:15from the very first day.
35:17Grandma,
35:18I said soundlessly,
35:19I love you.
35:21I'm right here, sweetheart.
35:23I love you too, my Amber.
35:25You were the best child.
35:27The first ray of sunlight
35:28pierced through the window.
35:29It fell on me.
35:30They had almost vanished.
35:31I reached out,
35:32trying one last time
35:33to touch her cheek,
35:34her wrinkled skin,
35:35her tears.
35:36Grandmother buried her face
35:37in her hands
35:38and began to sob.
35:39I turned toward the window.
35:40My body drifted uncontrollably
35:42toward the light,
35:43higher and higher,
35:44further and further away.
35:48The cottage became smaller.
35:50The forest covered the whole land,
35:52the entire land shrinking
35:54into a tiny patch.
35:55Then,
35:56I passed through it all.
35:58The world turned soft white.
36:00An ancient,
36:00solemn voice resounded.
36:01Little wolf,
36:02do you want to try again?
36:05I thought of grandmother's apple,
36:07the whole one,
36:08mine.
36:09I thought of Selena's
36:10thin arms shielding me,
36:11the shining candy in her palm,
36:14her voice saying,
36:15I'm sorry.
36:15I'm sorry, Amber.
36:17I thought that teardrop mom
36:18left on the cellar's floor.
36:20Mom holding my cold body,
36:21the howling beside the altar.
36:24I thought of grandmother
36:25closing her arms
36:26to embrace the void.
36:28Yes, Ed.
36:29I want to try again.
36:31The warmth wrapped around me
36:32like a blanket.
36:33As I closed my eyes,
36:34I felt it.
36:36Grandmother lifted her head.
36:37Run free, little wolf.
36:39She smiled.
36:41Goodbye, grandma.
36:42In the next life,
36:43I promise,
36:44I will find a pack
36:45that loves me from the start.
36:46And I will have the whole apple
36:48every single time.
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