Game Over, My Dear Brother

Chapter 4

Leo slumped into his chair at the table, and his face was still dark with irritation. "Mae is so carefree. She hears us come home and still hides in her room like a lazy bum. Sleep, sleep, sleep like a log. One of these days, you will sleep yourself straight into the grave. All you do is cause trouble. You cannot even get basic math right."

'But I did learn it.' I floated right up to him and pointed indignantly at the pile of empty bottles. "Go count them yourself, you jerk. I'm never talking to you again." With a huff, I spun around and drifted over to sit on the coffin.

Grandma kept reaching for the fish with her fork, and I darted back in alarm. "Grandma, no. Fish have bones."

To my surprise, she mumbled as if she had heard me. "No, no, won't eat. Fish for Mae."

Molly piled vegetables onto Grandma's plate and then said loudly near her ear, "Don't worry, Leo saved food for Mae. Eat up."

Only then did Grandma nod and finally take a bite. My eyes darted around, and sure enough, a full plate of untouched food sat waiting in the kitchen. 'Hmph. So he did remember me. Fine, I would let it slide this time.'

After dinner, Leo left the plate outside my door. "Mae, Molly and I are heading out. You and Grandma lock up. When we get back, I expect a proper apology to her. You messed up, but admitting it is what makes you my little sister."

'But Leo, I was already asleep.'

I floated around the courtyard and watched them load scrap onto the rickety tricycle. They whispered about watching the stars by the river. As their figures disappeared into the distance, I glanced at the unlocked gate. With a sigh, I resigned myself. 'Guess guarding Grandma falls to me again.'

She swayed gently on the courtyard recliner, and her eyes glimmered as they traced the moon.

"Mae."

I had been nodding off nearby but jolted awake at my name.

"What is it, Grandma?"

"Mae. Mae." Her voice trembled, and she clawed at the empty air with desperation.

"Grandma, I am right here." I circled her frantically, unsure if she could see me, and then I froze with an idea.

I darted under the eaves and sent the wind chime dancing. The sound echoed like my voice carried on the breeze. The sound soothed her, and she drifted into a peaceful sleep right there.

'She would freeze out here.' I pursed my lips and tugged frantically at the blanket covering Grandma's legs. I wrestled with it until I finally managed to tuck her in after using all my might.

"Goodnight, Grandma," I whispered.

I hovered protectively beside her with my eyes glued to the front gate, and I was tense with worry. 'What if some reckless thief barged in?' But then I scoffed. 'Our home was practically empty, bare as a beggar's cupboard. Who would even bother stealing from us?'

The sun rose slowly, and its warmth spread over me. Just then, Leo and Molly strolled through the gate hand in hand, only for their relaxed expressions to twist into alarm the moment they pushed the door open.

"Why wasn't the door locked?" Leo shouted.

They rushed inside in a panic, and their tension melted away when they saw Grandma unharmed.

But then Grandma jolted awake and clutched Leo's hand with surprising strength.

"Mae. Mae."

"Don't any of you dare stop me today," Leo snarled. "She cannot even handle something as simple as watching the house. What good is she?"

He rolled up his sleeves and stormed toward my room, but Grandma grabbed his arm and yanked him back. Her gaze fixed on the coffin in the distance, and her voice broke into a sob as she wailed.

"Mae. She is gone."