Slowly she felt herself returning to reality, stirring from the ding. They would be landing soon. Setting the seat back upright, Melinda turns her gaze back towards the window.
Nightfall, was it because of her mood? It seem to be normal for her now, to be awake during the night. Maybe it was because she just didn't care for light anymore, whatever it was, she felt nothing.
Her mind drifts back, like it had everyday.
One year ago....
She been practicing a new piece on her flute for class tomorrow. She nearly had it, just this last part was out of her reach. As she came to it, she felt herself losing it, and like the pass ten times she played the wrong note. Pulling the flute from her lips, she was glaring at the sheet as she clench her flue between her fingers.
"Why can't I get this bloody note? What is wrong with me?" it was rather frustrating to her. This was her element, she was suppose to get this as if it was nothing. Lifting the flute once more, she was determined to get it this time. Nothing would stop her from getting this piece under her belt.
Nothing except a knock at her door .
Turning her head only slightly, she felt her brow raise as she sets her flute on top of her covers. Who on earth would be coming to bug her? Did her roommate forget her key again? When she didn't hear her name called behind the door, it made her more curious.
Pulling the door open, she was rather shock to see one of the teachers standing in front of her. Chewing on her bottom lip, she bows in respect "Ms. Reese, if you could come with me to the office."
She felt her heart sink as she nods some. Was she in trouble? The only thing she could think of, was over a few months old. She should have gotten in trouble the moment she got back to school. "Is something wrong sir?"
"I am not the right person to ask."
With another nod, she follows the teacher downstairs. As the door tot he office opens, she was surprised to see her mother standing in the office. It must have been pretty obvious to her mother as well, as she walked over to give her oldest a hug "We have to talk darling."
Fear slipped into her heart. Word no person ever wanted to hear, as nothing ever good came after them "Yes mum, what's going on?" her eyes fixed on her mother face. So much pain was in her eyes as she looks at her daughter.
"Its about your brother, he has taken a turn for the worse. They say he got maybe a month left hun. We want you to come home for awhile. We have talked to the school. Your school work has been gathered, so you won't fail." touching her daughter's cheek, she was trying her best to blink back the tears.
Melinda didn't show any signs of how she felt, she simply nods. "Alright mum." bowing her head, she leads her mother to her room, so she could help her pack. It was an hour of utter silence, neither mother or daughter said a word to each other.
It was a two day trip, due to weather, but they finally landed in Bristol. Melinda breaths in the all to familiar air of home. Normally she would be happy to be back home, but this wasn't one of those time. "I'll get the bags mum, while you grab the car?" without really waiting to get an answer she was off to grab their things.
An hour later, they were home. She didn't want to be there, not with the knowledge she had. She didn't want to see her baby brother, not this way. Looking back down at her lap, she only looks up when her mother touched her hand "Come on baby, you can't run forever." pulling her hand back, her mother slipped from the car.
Melinda sat there for another moment, only to follow her mother. As she steps inside her home, she felt the warmth that she missed. For a brief moment, she forgot why she return in the first place.
"LIN!!!"
Her eyes fell to her brother, who was resting in a wheelchair. He seem like his normal self, except for the coughing, few bruises from falling, and the IV in his arm. As he came close to her, Melinda blink back the tears as she bend down to give her brother a gentle hug "I missed you Lin."
"I missed you too, but that will be different now. I'm here to stay."
She never left her little brother side, unless she had no choice.
Each day was getting harder and harder, she wanted to help her brother so much. Some days were harder then others as she watched him lay in bed due to a fever, or a cold that would weaken him.
It was just two days after her brother birthday, when the worse fever left her brother weak and bedridden. Her heart was pounding as she sat in the waiting area of the hospital. Her father's head was in both his hands, while her mother was pacing. Why couldn't they just tell them, what was going on? Why couldn't they see him?
As the family doctor came out to see them, he looked almost grim as she shakes his head "His fever got really high, he had a couple of strokes because of it. Right now, in and out. We honestly do not know if he will make it." he pauses as he touches his co-worker's shoulder "I'm so sorry, we can't do anything else for him."
Melinda shook her head, as she pushed pass the doctor and her parents. She was running to the room, she had to be with her brother. Stopping just outside the door, she held the tears as she looks him over "Hey Bradie, how are you?"
Even now, her little brother, Bradley grins at her "I'm okay, tired. I wanna play my game, but they say I can't." he frowns some, and all Melinda could do was laugh as she took his hand.
"I know baby, but maybe later okay? After you get out of this place, I'll even play with you." carefully, she runs her hand over his sweaty cheek "I'll try my best not to suck okay?" this was just too much for her, she didn't know how she could hide behind the mask.
"Lin, you know you can't play. You're to easy to beat." he coughed some as he leans his head back "I wanna go home tonight. I wish I could." he strength was so weak, even as he squeezed her hand "My birthday party gonna have to wait huh?"
Melinda nods some as she grins rather weak at him "As soon as you get out, we will have your party." her eyes looked up at the monitor as it bings for a second. When she saw it was only to tell them the IV fluid was low, she looks down at her brother. "I'll make sure you can have anything you want, just name it."
Bradley eyes lit up as she smiles "You know what I want? I want a super hero to show up. I would be the most awesome kid in our block." another cough, but this time it had blood in it.
There was a tap at the door, causing both the kids to look up. A nurse, followed by both of their parents were coming into the room. Melinda nods to her parents then leans in close to her brother "Hold onto that wish, it will come true. I promise." taking a step back, she allows her parents to spend time with their son until it was time to go.
Later that night, when no one saw her, she used the one thing she knew could get her into the room. Was it wrong of her to transform? Maybe, did she care? No..this was important to her.
Returning to her civilian form, she steps out of the shadows of the room as she makes her way towards her brother bed. Carefully, not to startle him, she brushed a finger against his hand. As he stirred, she grins down at him "Hey Bradie..."
"Lin...what are you doing here?" his eyes were glazed over some as he blinks at his big sister "Is mom and dad here?" Melinda shook her head as she carefully helps her brother sit up some "Remember when you told me what you wanted the most? Well I have something I want to show you, but you must keep it a secret, even from mum and dad."
Bradley nods to her as he coughs again "Okay, I will."
Melinda smiles as she pulls out her pen, closing her eyes she spoke rather softly "Serpentarius power, make up!" in an array of bright color, sparkles and graceful moves, Melinda opens her eyes as she stood in front of her brother.
"Sailor Serpentarius, here to protect my little brother from all evil." she couldn't help but grin as her brother's jaw dropped. Lifting her finger to her lips, she pauses as she saw a nurse walk back. Stepping close to the bed, she takes a seat down next to Bradley.
"I'm a super hero, I have been since I started school in Destiny City. I helped fight against an evil, that threaten the whole place. No one knows my true identity, so you have to tell no one. Promise?" holding her pinky out towards him, she chuckles some as his small fragile pinky slips around hers.
"Promise." with a yawn, he shakes his head some "My sister, a super hero." his eyes fell close, and before Melinda knew it, he was asleep.
Carefully, she slips the cover up to his neck, just to make sure he would stay warm. Leaning down, she brushes a simple kiss across his forehead "I love you Bradie." turning, she opens the window enough for her to get out onto the ledge. Closing it, she drops back down into the shadows between the buildings.
That had been the last time she seen her brother, as they got a call that afternoon while getting ready. He passed on in his sleep, rather peacefully as the doctor told her mother.
The rest of the time home, was a blur. She couldn't really remember what had happen after the funeral. She didn't even go up to the open casket, as she didn't want to remember Bradley that way. She finished up her school year there. That was the only thing she could remember.
Stepping out of the car, her eyes gazed up at the academy. Right now, this was probably the only place that could keep her sane. Not even home felt like home to her. And after how hard it was to tell her parents, she had to go back, she couldn't be here.
She felt as if she made the right choice.
Lifting her hand to the tiny cross around her neck, she felt it imprint into her palm. Even now, a tear runs down her cheek. Taking a deep breath, she makes her way up the stairs to the academy.
Her life, in a year had completely changed...
