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