genevieve was fast asleep when i took my midnight stroll. i never strayed too far from her, only till wherever the light of our fire touched.

  i took out the seedy paper mother had left behind. it was the last thing she ever said to this world before taking on her own life. she scolded me because she wanted me to be prepared. the only time she wrote letters were to either our late grandparents when they were still alive or to my father while he was drafted in the army.

  this ragged paper would mean nothing in the hands of someone else but meant everything to me. i couldn't let gen see it. i couldn't allow her to see what weakling our mother had become. it would make her lose all sense of hope.

"to my brave soldier blaze greyfield killoran,

you were everything i could have asked for and more. i still remember the struggle i had when i gave birth to you. they told me not to have a child with a man like your father. i'm glad their words didn't get to me and i was truly blessed to have you and genevieve.

i have no regrets except the act i am about to commit. please forgive me and understand this difficult choice i have to make.

be brave like your father and remember that violence is never the answer.

with love and petals,
your mother - kaila killoran"

  water droplets fell onto the paper and that's when i knew i had to put it away and be undaunted. i wiped those pesky tears away and breathed deeply. genevieve needed me but mostly, i needed her.

_

  her face was still and tranquil. i felt placid to know she was internally at peace. gen was too innocent for the sadistic selfish world and i didn't want her to view it as such. not yet.

  i vowed i wouldn't leave her side and to defend her at all costs. even if it meant my life. she was the gen that was as valuable as a gem. her smile bought me happiness even in a time of delirium.

  i gave her the kissy and gently rubbed her head. she groaned as she knew she had to wake up. she was just a kid. why would they do this to us?

_

  "grey?"

  "yes?"

  "are you gonna die like mommy did?"

  i froze in bewilderedness. did she read the letter or was she becoming more aware?

  "that's not going to happen."

  her intense green eyes reflected into my own orbs that resembled hers. her expression was earnest but i couldn't take her seriously. maybe it was my subconsciousness being unable to accept the fact that i wouldn't be there for her.

  "gen, that's not going to happen," i reassured.

  "okay. i trust you, grey."