//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Jubulation // Story: The Cinch Chronicles // by TheWingman //------------------------------// Within a moment, Cinch let out a big scream. It’d been years since she saw her brother Leon. Her heart pounded as her scream continued, retreating under the covers. She wondered if her mind was playing tricks. After spilling her guts to a random student, that might’ve been the cause. But, there was the unknown of the situation and it frightened her. “Hmmm, I half expected this would happen.” Mused Leon as he pondered his thoughts. “Probably shouldn’t have appeared so suddenly. Damn.” Cinch lowered the covers just past her eyes. There, she saw him still there. It was a surreal experience for her and one of great guilt. “Oh, I think I should apologize, Abby. I… never intended to spook you that badly.” “L-L-Le-Leon,” Stammered Cinch in disbelief “is that you?” “Well, did my voice give it away?” Cinch’s head turned away from him. “Sis, is there something wrong? Are you not glad to see me after all this time?” “This has to be a dream.” She answered with a hitch in her voice. Where she should’ve felt joy, it was instead shame and guilt for what had happened. “Even If I could, I wouldn’t even be able to give you a hug.” “Well, It’s a dream but more than that. Even though I’m gone, ”At that moment, Leon does what Cinch never expected to happen in a dream. He took her hands in his. However, instead of feeling cold nothingness, it felt warm, warm as life itself. Her emotions peaked and her eyes watered as she struggled to comprehend how it was possible. “I’ve never stopped thinking about those I love.” “Leon, it is you!” Without warning, Cinch lunged forward and embraced her brother. Tears welled from her eyes yet she never cried. All that mattered to her was that she was both happy and sad to see him once more. “Sister, why are you so sad?” After breaking the hug, Leon took a good look at his sister’s face and noticed the apprehension. In the years since his death, he watched as his sister blamed herself. Each and every day, he saw her thoughts drift to one phrase: It’s all my fault. “Abby, it wasn’t your fault.” “Leon, how could you say it wasn’t? I said things I wasn’t proud of. We both said we hated each other. How can you forgi-” “Abby, enough!” Leon interrupted “You have to stop blaming yourself for an action that was of my volition. Never once did I blame you when I made that decision. I blamed myself and never once thought of thinking otherwise.” “Brother… thank you.” Said Cinch with another hug. “It’s been so long. What have you been up to, being dead?” “Apart from missing you and dad, there were moments that I’ve regretted my actions.” Said Leon as he looked out at the night sky.”At that moment, I’ve let my emotions drive me, never once knowing I’d hurt you all. Still, I’ve never stayed angry with you.” “Even then, I’ve done ‘things’ that you wouldn’t be proud of.” “I’m aware of that. In fact, over the years I’ve watched you drift away from what you once were. Still, you’re my sister and nothing will change that. Though I’ve seen your deeds, I’ve never once felt ashamed to call you my sister.” Cinch pondered her brother’s words for a moment. Leon was aware of her past deeds but never thought less of her. He saw that her old self was still there, shut out in an effort to cope with tragedy. After saving that stranger’s life, her old nature had awoken after years of being stashed away. Even so, she was still his big sister, the one he looked up to the most and nothing would break such a sibling bond. “Leon, ” Abacus gasped as she gave him another hug. Now, her sorrow was replaced with joy. Her brother still loved her despite all her wrong doings. Slowly, she started to forgive herself for what happened that fateful day. “Th-thank you.” “Cheer up, dear sister. I still see the same smile I’m used to seeing you wear.” “I haven’t smiled like this for the longest time. So, what are you down here for? Why are you visiting me?” “Because I want to congratulate you for saving that kid’s life. During that day, I’ve had a chance to see your thoughts. He reminded you… of me.” “It’s true.” She sighed. “When I saw him plunge the knife into his arm, I thought about how you died. I never wanted to see anything like that happen to anyone under my watch ever again. The year since the games gave me a lot to think about. Even now, I’m unsure of I’ll do.” “Abby,” Said Leon, placing a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “I know that all you’ve been through as of late has put your mind in a state of flux, unsure of where to go. You may call that confusion but it’s really just your old self coming back and your heart and mind are struggling to comprehend it. That’s all it really is. All you have to do is to let go and become the sister I’ve always known.” For a minute, Abacus stared out into the starry night sky, contemplating her brother’s words of wisdom. As she did, she began to look back on all the happy memories they’ve shared. From the first time she saw him to the baseball game on his seventeenth birthday, the proverbial ice around her heart started to melt away. Bit by bit, her heart that was once cold as ice was freed. Her compassion had come back, a familiar yet new feeling for Abacus. Turning to her brother once more, she pulled him into a hug. For the first time in years, she felt genuine joy in her heart as it began to rapidly beat. For several minutes, a moment of silence was shared between the two siblings before Leon broke it, smiling with great pride at his greatest friend. “So,” Whispered Abacus. “How’s our mother doing?” For a moment, Leon was silent upon the mentioning of their mother. In the months since his passing, he saw how things turned for the worse for her. He knew what happened and so did Abacus. With a smile shaken by sorrow, he looked his sister dead in the eye. “Yes Abby… mother is doing well… and she’s proud of you.”