I was in the hospital. It was sunny outside, but it sure didn't feel like it. My brother lay on the hospital bed before me, his breathing steady. In fact, he looked very healthy, yet the undeniable reality was that he was about to die.

  The white floor was so cold I could feel it through the carpet, sending shivers up my spine. It wasn't just the floor—everything felt cold, other than the sterile walls and the few machines, The place was quite empty. He had been in this hospital for quite a while, but it felt like the room didn't belong to my brother. If he wasn't in this room, there would be nothing linking it to him except for the flowers I bought him on my way here.

  They were yellow lilies, the only thing that made the coldness of the room bearable to me. Their vibrant color stood out in this depressingly white room. They had been Raph's favorite ever since we saw them for the first time. The memory was a bit hazy, but I think it was when we went to Grandma's garden with Mom for the first time. She gave us a tour of the place, her voice warm, She taught us the names of the flowers there.

  "Aren't these the exact color of your hair, Miki?" Raph asked, shooting me a mischievous look, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

  "We have the same exact hair color," I replied, my tone laced with amusement.

  "I know, but they are, right?" he said, his gaze getting sharper, almost challenging.

  "Yeah, I guess." When I said that, a light laugh escaped me, filling the air with a brief moment of joy.

  He then suddenly got up, holding a petal of one of the flowers. After getting close, he held it next to my hair, his expression one of intense focus.

  "Hmm, yeah, the color is the same," he said, narrowing his eyes as if he had reached that conclusion after a profound thought process.

  "Okay, from now on, these are my favorites. Do you like them?"

  "They're fine," I responded, trying to match his seriousness with a smile.

  While I was zoning out, lost in the memory, Raph's breathing suddenly became unsteady and labored. Panic surged through me, and I was about to rush to call the doctor, but then his eyes twitched and slowly opened.

  "Miki?" he called weakly, his voice barely above a whisper.

  "Raph, how do you feel?" I asked, my heart racing.

  "It's cold," he replied, shivering slightly.

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  "Hold on, I'm getting the doctor," I said, but as I was about to get up, he said something I never would have expected Raph to say.

  "Come with me. I don't want to go there alone."

  "What are you talking about?" I asked, a mix of confusion and fear starting to overflow.

  "Please, Mik—" He suddenly started coughing up blood. "RAPH?" I cried out, my voice breaking. After I said that, he stopped coughing, but before I could feel any relief, I heard a sound that made my heart sink even deeper.

  My brother's heart flatlined.

  I don't remember much after that. I'm not even sure how I ended up here. This was the roof of the Saka store building, the tallest in the area. The wind was whipping all around me, cold and uncaring. Whenever I was feeling down, my legs just led me here. You could call it my spot.

  My eyes scanned the scenery, but I didn't feel like I was looking at anything. The city stretched out below me, a sea of buildings and people, all moving on with their lives. All I could think about were Raph's last words. He didn't want to go alone. He wanted me to go with him, and that is what I plan on doing. I looked down. Usually, they say that looking down makes you anxious, but it made me feel eerily calm.

  What will happen when I jump? As I was about to contemplate that question, I heard a familiar voice from behind me, the voice of the person who hated me most in this world. I think only Raph’s voice could have surprised more than hers.

  "You always come here when something happens, huh?" she said, her tone a mix of concern and frustration.

  "...."

  I didn't say anything; there was nothing to say anyways. But when the silence stretched on, she spoke again.

  "So, why are you so close to the edge? Don't you think that's dangerous?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

  "Why are you here?" I replied, my voice hollow.

  "Just wanted to check on you," she said, stepping closer, her eyes filled with worry.

  "Now that you did, could you leave?"

  "I can, but I won't," she said firmly, crossing her arms.

  "I guess you of all people would want to see this," I said, my voice dull, devoid of emotion.

  "I don't want to see this, so please don't do it," she pleaded, her eyes glistening with tears soon to fall.

  "You don't want to see me die?"

  "I don't, so please don't die. Raph wouldn't want that," she said, her voice breaking.

  "He asked me to." This was something I wasn't planning on telling anyone, so I don't really know why I said it. Maybe because it was her, but it made her mouth open and shut a couple of times, with no words coming out.

  "Could you please leave now?" I asked, my voice shaking.

  "Please don't do this," she begged, stepping even closer.

  "Why are you trying to stop me?" I demanded, my emotions a whirlwind.

  "I already lost one friend today, and I don't want to lose the other one," she said, her voice filled with desperation.

  "I'm your friend?" I asked, disbelief coloring my tone.

  "Yes," she replied without hesitation.

  "...."

  "After what I did to you?" I asked, guilt seeped in my voice.

  "Yes," she said, her eyes unwavering.

  "I killed your father," I stated, my voice flat.

  "I will forgive you if you stop this," she said, her voice soft but determined.

  "Then I will never be forgiven." After I said that, I turned my back, done with this conversation. I heard her run toward me, but I jumped anyway. But then she grabbed me. I couldn't bear the thought of her also dying because of me.

  We would have both fallen had I not grabbed the edge. She was now clinging; the only thing between us and death was my grip.

  "WHY?" I screamed, but before I could hear her answer, my muscles gave out, and we fell.