Chapter 1: Phone Dilemma 

“I don’t care about that! I just want to know why you decided to yell at Mio!” His little sister shrieked, storming towards Liam with a glare sharp enough to cut steel.

The teenager instinctively took a step back, hands raised in defense as he edged toward the basement wall. “It’s not my fault she thought I stole her phone! What reason would I even have to take it?” His voice wavered, frustration creeping in. “Please, just wait till Mom and Dad get home. We’ll talk about it then, okay?”

“NO!” Dove shot back, her eyes blazing. “YOU’RE NOT WEASELING OUT OF THIS—NOW TELL ME WHERE HER PHONE IS!”

“I—”

Liam’s words were cut short as heavy footsteps thundered down the basement stairs. Their older sister, Fay, appeared in the doorway, her face twisted in confusion. “What in the name of Zeus are you two yelling about now? I’m trying to read in—” She paused, taking in the scene, her exasperation clear.

Dove didn’t miss a beat. She always had a way with words—especially twisting them to make Liam look guilty. It worked on Fay more often than not. Their parents? Not so much. That’s why she wasn’t waiting.

“Liam was yelling at Mio during lunch today even though he stole her phone!” Dove declared, crossing her arms like a judge about to pass a sentence.

“NOT!” Liam’s voice cracked as he practically flailed in desperation. “I WAS JUST DEFENDING MYSELF FROM HER FRIEND GROUP! THEY WOULDN’T EVEN LET ME TALK, THAT’S WHY I WAS YELLING!”

Fay’s gaze flicked between them, her expression unreadable. Then, she sighed, rubbing her temple.

“Okay, let’s back up. Liam, did you take her phone?”

“No!” Liam snapped, “I don’t even know how it went missing in the first place! She just decided I was the culprit because—what? I happened to be nearby?”

Dove scoffed. “So you just happened to be near Mio and she suddenly lost her phone? Sounds suspicious to me.”

Liam clenched his jaw. “Yeah? Well, guess what? Plenty of other people were near her too! Why am I the only suspect?”

“Because you always act weird when you get accused of stuff!” She shot back.

“Because I never do anything wrong and still get blamed for everything!” Liam retorted, voice rising.

Fay held up a hand. “Okay, both of you shut up for a second.” She looked at Liam, then at Dove. “Has anyone actually checked to see if Mio found her phone yet?”

Silence.

Dove hesitated, then crossed her arms. “Well… no. But I know Liam took it.”

Liam let out an incredulous laugh. “Oh, you know, huh? Do you have proof?”

Dove faltered, her glare wavering. “Well… not yet…”

Fay groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. “So we’re having this argument, at full volume, over a crime that might not have even happened?”

Another pause.

“…Yes,” Liam admitted.

“For the love of all things holy,” she muttered, looking like she wanted to strangle the pair, “if you two get me up for this nonsense again, I swear I’ll make you both regret it.  The floor here is freezing cold and I don’t even have socks on, you’re a bunch of idiots!”

But Dove wasn’t finished.

Her frustration boiled over as Liam scoffed, rolling his eyes. Without thinking, she shoved him—hard.

Liam barely had time to react before his back slammed into the metal shelf behind him. A loud clang echoed through the basement as the impact shook the overloaded structure. For a split second, everything stood still.

Then, with a sickening groan, the shelf gave way. In a last desperate motion, Liam pushed Dove backward, sending her stumbling a few feet away onto the floor—just before the towering weight of textbooks, old boxes, and metal frames came crashing down on him. A strangled yell tore from his throat as he was swallowed by the avalanche of steel and paper.

Fay’s book slipped from her hands, hitting the floor with a soft thud.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Then—

“Liam?” Fay’s voice wavered as she rushed forward, dropping to her knees beside the collapsed shelf. She reached out, hesitating as her fingers hovered over the twisted metal and scattered books.

Dove stayed frozen, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps. “I—” Her voice cracked. “I didn’t mean to—”

A weak groan cut through the silence.

Fay’s heart pounded. “Liam? Can you hear me?” She reached out and started pushing books and debris aside, her hands trembling.

Liam let out a sharp, pained gasp. “D-Don’t—” His voice was barely a whisper, strangled by pain. “It… hurts…”

Fay froze, her stomach twisting. That wasn’t just pain in his voice—that was something deeper. Something wrong.

Dove stood up and  took a shaky step forward, her eyes wide with horror. “I… I just shoved him—I didn’t think—”

Fay turned sharply, her expression ice-cold. “You didn’t think at all!” she snapped. But there was no time for yelling now. “Go call an ambulance, then Mom and Dad. Now!”

Dove flinched, her lips parting as if she wanted to argue. But then her gaze dropped to the floor—where dark red was seeping across the tile.

Blood.

It pooled beneath the wreckage, growing thicker, darker.

Dove staggered back, a strangled sob catching in her throat. “Oh no.”

“WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GO!” Fay barked.

Dove didn’t hesitate this time. She turned and bolted up the stairs, her footsteps frantic as she disappeared from sight.

Fay swallowed hard and turned back to Liam. His face was pale, his breathing shallow. She needed to move more of the wreckage, needed to see how bad it really was. Carefully, she reached for a heavier section of the shelf, ignoring the way her hands shook.

Liam whimpered. “F-Fay…”

“I know,” she murmured. “Just hold on, okay? Help is coming.”

She gritted her teeth and pushed—books tumbled aside, dust swirled in the air, and then—

Her stomach dropped.

Liam’s legs—trapped, mangled beneath the metal—weren’t where they were supposed to be.

A choked noise escaped her throat.

“Oh God.”

Liam’s breaths turned into sharp, panicked pants as his body started shaking. “I-I can’t—” His voice cracked. “Fay… I can’t feel my legs.”

Fay’s entire body turned cold.

“It’s gonna be okay,” she lied.

Sirens. In the distance.

She just hoped they were fast enough.

Chapter 2: Guilt & Regret

When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics burst into the house with a stretcher, their movements swift and precise. They carefully but urgently worked to free Liam from beneath the collapsed shelf, their voices sharp with urgency. Blood stained the floor, pooling beneath his crushed legs as one of the responders tightened a tourniquet around his thighs. The pressure made Liam cry out weakly, his face pale, his breaths shallow.

Fay stood frozen, arms wrapped tightly around Dove, trying to steady both her own shaking and her sister’s. The metallic scent of blood hung thick in the air, mixing with the dust from the fallen debris. Her stomach churned, nausea clawing at her throat, but she forced herself to stay still. To stay strong.

Dove trembled in her arms, her fingers clutching Fay’s shirt. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “I… I didn’t mean to…”

Fay’s grip on her tightened, but she had no answer. Because right now, nothing felt alright at all.

Once the paramedics had secured the tourniquets and stabilized Liam, they carefully lifted him onto the stretcher. He barely made a sound, only a weak whimper as his head lolled to the side, his eyelids fluttering. His face was almost ghostly pale now, beads of sweat clinging to his forehead.

“Stay with me, buddy,” one of them urged as they wheeled him toward the door. The wheels of the stretcher bumped against the basement floor, rattling over the uneven surface. Fay and Dove followed closely, their footsteps unsteady, their hearts hammering in their chests.

The night breeze hit them like a shock when the front door swung open. Red and blue lights flashed against the dark sky, reflecting off the windows and casting eerie shadows across the house. The sirens wailed in the distance, drowning out everything else.

Liam’s body jolted slightly as the paramedics lifted the stretcher into the ambulance, securing him in place. One of them turned toward Fay and Dove. “Are either of you riding with him?”

Fay opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Dove’s hand clutched hers tightly, and for the first time, her little sister’s confidence—the relentless energy she always had—was completely gone. She looked small. Terrified.

“Mom and Dad…” Fay finally found her voice. “They’re on their way. They’ll meet him at the hospital.”

The paramedic nodded. “We need to go now.”

Fay turned to Liam. His fingers twitched slightly at his sides, his breathing shallow. His gaze met hers for just a moment, filled with something between pain and fear.

She wanted to say something—it’s going to be okay, you’ll be fine, just hold on—but the words felt empty. Instead, she just gave him a small nod, as if silently promising that she would be right behind him.

Then the ambulance doors slammed shut.

The sirens roared to life again, and before she could take another breath, it was gone—racing off into the night, carrying her brother toward a future none of them had seen coming.

Sometime later… 

The hospital was a blur of fluorescent lights and hurried footsteps. Fay and Dove sat in the waiting room, the cold plastic chairs doing nothing to ease the tension twisting in their stomachs. Nurses moved past them, their hushed voices blending with the steady beeping of machines beyond the double doors.

Dove hadn’t said a word since they arrived. She sat with her knees pulled up to her chest, her fingers clenched tightly together. Fay could see the dried blood on her hands—Liam’s blood—and she knew her own looked just the same.

Their parents had arrived minutes after they did, rushing straight to the front desk before disappearing down the hall with one of the doctors. That left just the two of them, waiting.

And waiting.

And waiting.

Every second stretched into an eternity.

Finally, the doors swung open, and their mother stepped out. Her face was pale, her eyes red-rimmed, but she wasn’t crying—at least, not anymore.

Fay stood up immediately. “Mom—”

“They got him into surgery,” she said, her voice tight. “They—they’re doing everything they can.” She swallowed hard, glancing at Dove, who hadn’t moved from her seat. “It was bad. Really bad.”

Fay’s chest tightened. “His legs?”

Her mother took a shaky breath.

“The doctors… don’t think they can save them.”

Dove just stared down at the floor, her voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry about the shelf…”

Mrs. Burns’ head snapped toward her, her eyes narrowing. “What do you mean?” Her voice was sharp, laced with something between confusion and growing dread.

Dove’s hands curled into fists in her lap. Her breath hitched, and she swallowed hard, unable to lift her gaze. “I… I shoved him,” she admitted, her voice cracking. “We were arguing, and I—I pushed him too hard. He hit the shelf, and then it just… fell.”

Nothing.

The tension in the waiting room grew thick, heavy. Mrs. Burns’ expression shifted—her lips parting slightly, her face pale under the harsh hospital lights. For a moment, she looked like she was struggling to process the words, like she didn’t want to believe them.

Fay felt Dove trembling beside her.

Mrs. Burns exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. “You—” Her voice faltered, then steadied, colder this time. “You did this?”

Dove’s breath hitched, and she squeezed her eyes shut, nodding.

Fay instinctively stepped between them. “Mom, she didn’t mean to—”

Mrs. Burns shook her head, her hands clenched at her sides. “Not now, Fay,” she said tightly. Her gaze stayed fixed on Dove, searching for something—remorse, guilt, reason.

Dove looked up for the first time, her eyes brimming with tears. “I—I didn’t think it would—” She let out a choked sob. “I just wanted him to listen to me…”

Mrs. Burns inhaled sharply through her nose, turning away. For a long moment, she didn’t speak.

Then, finally, she whispered, “I need to check on your brother.” And with that, she walked toward the double doors, disappearing into the hallway.

Dove let out a shaky breath, her shoulders collapsing inward.

Fay sat beside her, hesitating before placing a hand on her back. Dove flinched at first but then slowly leaned into her, silent tears streaking down her face.

For the first time in her life, Dove looked truly broken.

“They’re going to have to give Liam prosthetic legs…” Dove mumbled, her voice barely holding together. She stared at the floor, her fingers gripping the fabric of her sleeves so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Fay swallowed hard, her own throat tight. “Yeah…” she said softly. It was all she could manage.

Dove let out a shaky breath, her shoulders trembling. “It’s my fault.” Her voice cracked on the last word. “If I hadn’t—if I just—” She choked back a sob, squeezing her eyes shut.

Fay hesitated before reaching over and pulling her into a hug. For once, Dove didn’t push her away. She just clung to her, gripping the back of Fay’s shirt like it was the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely.

“I didn’t mean to,” she whispered against Fay’s shoulder. “I just wanted him to listen… I didn’t think—I never thought—”

“I know,” Fay murmured, her own eyes stinging. “I know.”

But knowing didn’t change what had happened.

“Will we go to school tomorrow?” Dove asked, her voice small, almost hollow.

Fay sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. “It’s best we skip it… sorry.”

Dove only nodded, but there was no relief in her expression. Just exhaustion.

The sisters sat in the waiting room for what felt like an eternity, their anxiety stretching each second into something unbearable. The sterile scent of disinfectant clung to the air, the occasional murmur of passing nurses and the distant beeping of machines the only sounds filling the silence between them.

Fay kept glancing at the double doors, her leg bouncing anxiously. How much longer? The uncertainty gnawed at her, making her stomach twist.

Then, at last, a nurse stepped into the room, scanning the area before her gaze settled on them. “Are you Fay and Dove?”

Fay immediately straightened. “Yes.”

The nurse gave a gentle nod. “Your mother would like you to visit your brother. But please,” she added firmly, “be mindful—no loud noises, and do not touch the patient.”

Dove stiffened beside Fay, her fingers curling into her sleeves. “Is he… awake?” she asked hesitantly.

The nurse’s expression softened just a little. “He’s conscious, but he’s very weak.” She hesitated before adding, “Just prepare yourselves. He’s been through a lot.”

Fay felt Dove shift uncomfortably beside her. Neither of them were sure they were prepared. But they had no choice.

Taking a deep breath, Fay reached for Dove’s hand, giving it a small squeeze.

“Come on,” she murmured.

Chapter 2 (Pt 2): Guilt & Regret

Together, they followed the nurse through the doors, stepping into the cold, sterile hallway lined with identical rooms. The fluorescent lights buzzed faintly overhead, casting a harsh glow over the pale blue walls. Their footsteps echoed softly against the linoleum floor as they passed door after door, each one concealing someone else’s pain, someone else’s story – big or small.

Finally, the nurse stopped in front of a room—number 52.

Fay’s breath caught in her throat as she stared at the plaque on the door, her heart pounding against her ribs. This was it. Liam was in there.

The nurse turned to them, her expression calm but serious. “Remember—keep your voices low, and don’t touch anything. He’s still recovering.”

Fay nodded numbly, but beside her, Dove hesitated, her fingers twitching at her sides. She looked like she wanted to turn and run.

She gently nudged her little sister forward, and they both silently trudged into the room.

It smelled of antiseptic and something metallic—faint, but unmistakable. Machines beeped softly in the background, their steady rhythm the only sound filling the space. The room was dimly lit, the glow from the monitors casting eerie shadows against the walls, Dad left the room with Mom so that they could have alone time, their father smiling encouragingly. 

And there, lying in the hospital bed, was Liam.

Fay’s breath hitched at the sight of him. His face was pale, almost ashen, his eyes barely open. Dark bruises bloomed along his arms, and there was a stark contrast between the white hospital sheets and the bandages wrapped tightly around what was left of his legs.

Liam blinked slowly, his gaze drifting toward them. His lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but no words came.

Fay forced a smile, even though her stomach was twisting painfully. “Hey, dummy,” she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady.

Liam exhaled a weak, breathy chuckle. “Hey,” he rasped. His voice was barely above a whisper.

Dove stayed silent, frozen in place. She looked like she wanted to speak—like she needed to—but nothing came out.

Fay nudged her lightly, her own voice gentle. “Liam’s awake, Dove. Say something.”

Dove’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she finally managed to whisper, “I’m so sorry…”

Liam’s tired gaze lingered on Dove for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, after a long pause, he simply closed his eyes and turned his head away. “Won’t do much… it—it still hurts… Do- do you think they gave me painkillers? I can’t even feel my legs right now.” His voice was weak, strained, as if each word was a struggle.

Fay swallowed hard, her throat tight. She stepped closer to the bed, trying to keep her voice steady. “Liam… you… you don’t have legs anymore.”

The words seemed to hang in the air, heavy, impossible.

Liam’s eyes snapped open, his face contorting with disbelief and fear. His chest rose and fell erratically as he struggled to sit up, his hands gripping the sheets tightly. “What?!” he rasped, his voice frantic. “No—no, that can’t be—”

His breathing quickened, shallow and uneven, and his body jerked in a panicked attempt to push himself up. “I—I still feel them! I can feel my legs!” His voice cracked, the panic surging with each breath.

Fay’s heart pounded in her chest as she stepped forward, trying to steady him. “Liam, stop! You’re hurting yourself—”

But he didn’t listen. His eyes were wide with terror now, as if he couldn’t comprehend what had happened. “I can’t… I can’t feel my legs but… I can feel them! What is going on?”

Tears welled up in Fay’s eyes, and she reached for his hand, holding it tightly as she tried to calm him. “Liam, look at me. Just listen to me. You’re in shock. You’ve been through… so much. You’ve lost your legs, but you’re still here. You’re still you.”

His breath came in short gasps, his body shaking. “I don’t—I don’t want this, I thought you said everything was going to be okay!” His voice broke on the last word, raw with emotion, and he twisted away from her grip, the panic overwhelming him.

Fay quickly grabbed his hand again, holding it tightly as his trembling fingers gripped hers back. “I know, I know, Liam, but we’re going to get through this. You are going to get through this.”

He closed his eyes tightly, shaking his head in disbelief. “I—I don’t know how to… how to do this…” His voice was barely a whisper now, and his body slumped back against the pillow, the fight draining out of him.

Dove’s hands trembled at her sides as she stared at Liam, her eyes wide with a mixture of guilt and disbelief. The room was unbearably quiet, save for the steady beeping of the heart monitor and the faint hum of machines.  It felt like time had slowed to a crawl, trapping them all in this suffocating moment.

Then, suddenly, Liam’s voice shattered the silence.

“Great. Just great!” he snapped, his voice laced with bitterness and panic. “I can’t even swim anymore! Or do track—not well, at least! Do you know how much people are going to make fun of me at school?! EVERYBODY!” His breathing grew heavier, his frustration turning into something frantic, something desperate.

“And it’s not just school! It’s everywhere! Out in public—people staring, whispering, pitying me. I don’t want their pity!” His fingers clenched the hospital blanket so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Dove flinched but said nothing. She just stood there, swallowing back tears.

Liam let out a sharp, humorless laugh, but it quickly cracked into something raw, something broken. “I can’t even go to the beach now,” he whispered, his voice trembling. “Do you know how much I love the beach? The waves, the sand—all of it! Gone.” His breathing hitched, his eyes glassy with unshed tears.

“My life is ruined! And why?” His voice rose again, thick with anger, grief, and disbelief. His hands shook as he gestured wildly at nothing, his frustration bubbling over. “Because of a shelf. A STUPID SHELF!”

Fay inhaled sharply, her heart breaking at the sheer devastation in his voice.

Dove, silent until now, took a shaky step forward. “Liam… I—”

But he didn’t even look at her.

Instead, he turned his head away, staring at the ceiling with unfocused, tear-filled eyes.

“Either I’m going to be stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of my life,” Liam spat, his voice thick with frustration, “or I’ll be forced to just stand there on fake legs, pretending everything’s normal when it’s not!” His hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms as his breathing grew uneven.  “I’M 14, AND I WANT MY LIFE TO BE OVER ALREADY!”

Fay felt her stomach twist painfully. “Liam…” she murmured, stepping closer.

But he shook his head sharply, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked like it hurt. “I don’t want to hear ‘it’s gonna be okay.’ I don’t want comfort.” His eyes flickered toward her for only a second before he looked away again. “I want my legs back.”

Dove wiped at her eyes with the sleeve of her yellow sweater, her body rigid with silent guilt, her mouth opening to speak.

“Don’t.” His voice came out hoarse and tired. “Just… don’t.”

Dove shrank back, her lip quivering as she stared at the floor.

Fay opened her mouth to say something—anything—but no words came. 

Liam’s gaze snapped to his little sister, eyes burning with a fury so intense it sent a shiver down her spine. His expression was twisted with rage, pain, and betrayal—like he wanted to tear her apart with nothing but his words.

“You ruined EVERYTHING in a matter of seconds!” he spat, his voice shaking with emotion. “And for what? A speculation?” His hands clenched into fists against the hospital sheets, blood starting to seep into the already dirtied bandages.

“The idea that I stole your little friend’s phone just because I happened to be nearby?! You didn’t ask me. You didn’t even think. You just decided I was guilty because you were angry and shoved me without a second thought!” His breath hitched, his whole body trembling.

“WHY DID YOU DO IT, WHY!?” His voice cracked as he practically screamed the words, his frustration, his devastation, all spilling out at once. “I still can’t—I still CAN’T understand why you did that over something so little! Something so stupid!” His chest rose and fell sharply, his breaths ragged.

“I didn’t even do anything wrong, you were just mad!” 

Dove flinched as if she’d been struck, her lip trembling. She opened her mouth like a fish gasping for air, but no words came—just silence, empty and useless, because what could she possibly say to this?

Liam let out a bitter, exhausted sigh, turning his head away from her like he couldn’t stand the sight of her anymore. His voice, though quieter now, was laced with exhaustion and hurt.

“Just… get out,” he muttered, his tone hollow. “Go talk to Mom and Dad or whatever. I don’t care.” His hands clenched into the blanket, fingers digging into the fabric. “I’m tired. Tired of all of this.” He swallowed hard, his voice thick with something raw, something broken. “Mom doesn’t even seem to care that you were the one who did this.”

His words hit Dove like a punch to the gut. She blinked rapidly, trying to stop the tears from spilling over, but it was useless. She hesitated for a moment, wanting—needing—to say something, to fix something.

But the way Liam was staring at the ceiling, refusing to look at her, refusing to acknowledge her, made it clear.

She’d already done enough damage.

“C’mon…” Fay said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her sister’s trembling shoulder. Dove didn’t resist—she just let Fay guide her out of the room, her head hanging low, shoulders hunched like the weight of Liam’s words had physically crushed her.

The door clicked shut behind them, sealing the unbearable tension inside. Fay led her to a nearby bench in the hallway, where their parents sat in heavy silence. Their mother’s hands were clasped tightly together, her knuckles pale, while their father stared at the floor, lost in thought.

Dove sank onto the bench without a word, pressing her hands into her lap to stop them from shaking. Her chest felt tight, her breath unsteady.

Fay glanced at her watch.  It was late—much later than she’d expected. How had time slipped away so fast? It felt like only minutes ago they had arrived, but now the hospital halls were quieter, the lights casting long, tired shadows.

She let out a slow breath, rubbing her temple. Exhaustion pressed against her like a heavy weight, but it was nothing compared to the storm raging inside her chest.  

Fay was conflicted—torn between wanting to comfort her little sister or scream at her.  Liam was in total agony; both physically and emotionally.  And as much as she hated to admit it… it was Dove’s fault.  

The thought made her stomach twist.  She knew Dove hadn’t meant for this to happen-–hadn’t wanted this outcome—but that didn’t change the fact that her impulsiveness had ruined their brother’s life.

Fay clenched her jaw, her fingers curling into fists.  She couldn’t say it out loud, not now–not when Dove was already sinking under the weight of her own guilt.  But the anger still simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over.

It didn’t matter if Dove regretted what she did, nothing would give Liam his legs back.  She could see it in their parents’ empty expressions, in the way Dove sat frozen beside her.  This wasn’t something that could be undone.

Their mother’s cold, detached voice cut through the haze, snapping both sisters out of their thoughts.  

“You two should go home soon,” she said, not even looking at them.  “It’s almost ten, and you haven’t eaten dinner yet.  I’ll order you some pizza.”  There was a pause before she added, “Your father and I will be staying the night here.”

Fay and Dove both looked up at her, almost hopefully, as if searching for some hint of warmth, some sign that she wasn’t as distant as she sounded.  But their mother’s face remained unreadable, her gaze fixed on the hospital hallway as if she couldn’t bear to meet their eyes.  

Fay swallowed, nodding stiffly.  “Alright,” she murmured.

Chapter 2 (Pt 3): Guilt & Regret

Their father stood up, his movements slow and weighed down by stress.  Without a word, he grabbed his coat from the chair and motioned for the girls to follow.

Fay gently nudged Dove, who still hadn’t moved, and she sluggishly rose to her feet.  The air between them was suffocating with unspoken words, but no one dared break the silence as they made their way through the hospital

The only sounds were the faint murmur of nurses and the occasional beep of distant monitors.  Each step toward the exit felt heavier than the last, the reality of the night settling deep in their bones.

Outside, the parking lot was nearly empty, bathed in the cold glow of streetlights.  Their father unlocked the car with a soft beep, and the sisters climbed into the backseat without a word.  Fay buckled herself in, staring blankly out of the cold, foggy window – while Dove hunched over slightly, hugging her arms to herself.

The drive home was silent, save for the faint hum of the engine and the rhythmic patter of rain starting to fall against the windshield.  Fay stole a glance at her father through the rearview mirror.  His face was stiff, his grip on the steering wheel tight, eyes focused on the road ahead—but there was something stormy in his expression.

As they neared home, he finally spoke, his voice low and firm.

“Dove,” he said, not taking his eyes off the road, “we’ll have a talk about this later.”

She tensed beside Fay, but didn’t argue.  Didn’t protest.  She just nodded, barely moving, her gaze fixed on her lap.

The car continued down the empty road and no one talked after that.  It wasn’t long before they pulled into the driveway, the headlights cutting through the darkness and casting long, pale beams at the garage door.  Their father put the car in park but didn’t move right away—just sat there for a moment, gripping the steering wheel like he was gathering his thoughts.

The rain continued to patter against the windshield, the sound eerily soothing in contrast to the uproar of emotion still raging inside all of them.

Then, finally, with a deep sigh, their father unlocked the doors.

“Go inside,” he instructed, his voice quieter this time, but still firm.

Fay unbuckled her seatbelt and lightly poked Dove, who did the same.  They stepped out into the cool night air, the damp breeze brushing against their skin as they strided toward the front door.

Home.

But as they waved goodbye and walked inside, the warmth of the house felt different—emptier.  

Fay, desperate to cut through the deafening silence, glanced at her sister and forced a small, hesitant smile.

“Hey,” she said softly, turning on the lights.  “How about you go to the living room and put something on the TV?  Wash your hands first though.  I’ll grab us soda from the—” she hesitated, realizing that it wasn’t best to mention the basement.  “Well… I’ll find something while we wait for our pizza. Sound good?”

Dove barely reacted at first, just standing there in the dim entryway, her hand frozen on the coat she was hanging up.  For a moment, Fay wasn’t sure she’d even heard her. But then, slowly, Dove gave a small nod and mumbled, “Yeah…okay.”

It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

With that, she trudged toward the living room and Fay let out a quiet sigh, running a hand through her hair.

For a moment, she just stood there, staring after her sister, before finally turning on her heel and heading toward the basement door.

Her fingers hovered over the doorknob, hesitating.  The thought of going down there made her stomach twist. The last time she had been in that basement, Liam had walked down those steps on his own two feet.

Now, he never would again.

She swallowed hard and pushed the door open, the stairs barely illuminated.  Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside, trying not to sneeze from dust and the smell of old books and cardboard.

The shelf was still there on the floor–or rather, what was left of it.

Its metal frame lay twisted and broken, books, boxes, and paper still scattered across the floor, some stained with crimson; a brutal reminder of everything that had happened just hours before. Her book was still on the ground where she had dropped it before, but Fay looked away.  The sight of it made her chest tighten.

Trying to ignore the gruesome scene, Fay forced her gaze away from the wreckage and made her way to the old mini-fridge in the corner. She yanked it open and quickly grabbed a few cans of both Sprite and Dr. Pepper—she didn’t know what Dove would want, and she wasn’t about to come back down here to find out.

Slamming the fridge shut, she turned on her heel and jogged up the stairs, her heart pounding a little too fast—not just from the rush, but from the overwhelming wrongness of being down there.

Just as she reached the top, the doorbell rang, sharp and jarring against the quiet house.

Fay barely paused, tossing the sodas onto the coffee table with a dull clunk before calling out, “I’m coming!”

She hurried to the front, the scent of warm cheese and garlic already seeping through the cracks. The promise of food was a welcome distraction, and she pasted on the most normal expression she could manage and opened the door. 

A delivery guy stood on the porch, holding two boxes of pizza, his expression neutral and disinterested. “Order for Burns?” he asked.

“Yeah, that’s us,” Fay replied, reaching for the boxes while digging into her pocket for some cash to tip. Her fingers fumbled slightly—her hands were still shaky, but she forced herself to focus.

As she handed over the money and took the pizzas, the guy barely spared her another glance before mumbling a quick, “Have a good night,” and heading back to his car.

Fay closed the door with her foot, the warmth of the boxes seeping into her hands.  The house was eerily quiet as she made her way back to the living room, where Dove sat curled up on the couch, the TV playing some random show neither of them was really watching.

“Food’s here!” Fay announced somewhat cheerfully, trying to inject some normalcy into her voice. She set the boxes down beside the cans of soda, swiping a Dr. Pepper and cracking it open.

Dove glanced at them but didn’t move right away.  Her face was still pale, her eyes distant.

Fay sat down beside her, grabbing a slice of pepperoni and sausage before taking a bite, even though she wasn’t really hungry.  “Come on, eat. It’s not gonna fix everything, but… you know, it’s something.”

After a few moments, her little sister finally reached for a slice, her movements fatigued, as if the weight of the night was still pressing down on her.  

“Pretty good, huh?  It’s from Pasquale’s”

Dove’s lips twitched into a small, almost hesitant smile. That pizza parlor had always been her favorite—their go-to place for celebrations, sleepovers, and lazy Friday nights. Now, it felt strange eating it under these circumstances.

Still, the familiar taste brought a sliver of comfort, however fleeting. She took a small bite, chewing slowly as she stared at the TV, though it was clear her mind was elsewhere.

Fay watched her a moment, then leaned back against the couch with a quiet sigh, gripping her own slice but not really eating it. “See? Still your favorite,” she murmured, trying to keep things light, Dove swallowed and nodded slightly, her fingers tightening around the crust. 

“Yeah, it is…. Thanks Fay-”

The room fell quiet again, but this time, it wasn’t quite as suffocating.  For the time being, they felt like they could breathe.

“Y’know, since tomorrow’s Friday, I don’t think we’ll miss a lot at school—right?” Dove asked timidly, gnawing on the chewy pizza. She hesitated, picking at the crust before continuing, “Do you think… Do you think Liam would be okay if I v-visited him again after lunch?”

Fay took a sip of her soda, thinking. “I don’t see why not,” she said after a moment. “I just hope Mom and Dad don’t get into an argument about.. Well, what they’re going to decide for Liam’s legs.”

Dove glanced up, her brow furrowing. “What do you mean?”

Fay sighed, setting her drink down and crossing her legs. “I need to do more research, but from what I know, prosthetics—especially mechanical ones—can cost a lot… and even then, it’s not like they let you do everything you used to.  Plus, Liam’s still growing.”

Dove’s face fell, her already small appetite seemingly vanishing as she stared at the half-eaten pizza in her hands. “Oh….”

“Everything costs money nowadays,” Fay muttered, shaking her head before nudging Dove’s arm. “Now, eat up! Mom bought two pizzas, and you better drink some soda too. I kinda wish we got garlic knots, though.” She shrugged, grabbing another slice. “Whatever. Do you have any homework you need help with?”

Dove blinked, staring at the TV as she mindlessly flipped through Netflix. “U-uhm… I mean—”

Fay’s eyes narrowed. “Oh no…” She swallowed the last of her slice and took a swig of Dr. Pepper before turning to face her sister fully. “Are you behind on your homework?”

Dove flinched at the accusation, mumbling something under her breath.

Fay groaned, running a hand down her face. “You know what Dad said about keeping your grades up. What subject is it now?”

“…Math,” Dove admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She hunched her shoulders, bracing for impact. “I-I just hate it!”

Fay sighed, leaning back against the couch. “Yeah, well, so do I, but you don’t see me failing it. Come on, after we eat, we’ll go over whatever you’re struggling with.”

Dove groaned dramatically, burying her face in a pillow. “Ughhh, whyyyy?”

“Because I’m not letting you flunk out of school on top of everything else,” Fay said dryly, tossing an empty can onto the table. “Now, finish your pizza before it gets cold.  We’ll look over it while we watch something, alright?”

Dove stuffed the rest of the pizza into her mouth in one big bite, cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk as she scrambled off the couch. Without another word, she bolted up the stairs, her footsteps thudding against the floor.

Fay watched her go, a small smile tugging at her lips. At least she had some energy now. It wasn’t much, but it was better than the lifeless, guilt-ridden mess she had been earlier.

Chapter 3: New Possibilities & A Plan

“Boop boop boop boop!”

Fay’s phone alarm blared, dragging her out of sleep. She groaned, sitting up on the couch and rubbing her eyes. The dim morning light filtered through the curtains, reminding her just how late they had stayed up the night before—going over homework, binging Netflix, and, apparently, fueling Dove’s brand-new addiction to anime.

The living room was a mess. The table was littered with an empty pizza box and another half-full one, soda cans stacked in a lazy pyramid, and snack wrappers from their late-night fridge raid. It looked like a war zone of junk food.

Fay stretched with a yawn, glancing over at Dove. She was still fast asleep, buried under a mountain of blankets and Squishmallows, her face half-smushed into a pillow.

She smirked to herself. Guess the Bird finally passed out.

With a sigh, she reached for her phone to check the time, debating whether to let Dove sleep in or wake her up.

“10:30!?” Fay scream-whispered, eyes widening in panic. She scrambled off the couch, nearly tripping over an empty soda can before darting toward the kitchen. Her bare feet slapped against the wooden floor as she moved, her mind racing.

How did we sleep in this late!?

Grabbing her phone with slightly shaky hands, she checked for any missed calls or texts from their parents. Nothing. Okay, maybe that’s a good sign… or maybe they’re just too busy to yell at us yet.

She took a deep breath, glancing back toward the living room. Dove was still buried under her mountain of blankets, completely oblivious.

Fay facepalmed, letting out a tired sigh. Guess I’ll make breakfast…

Shuffling over to the fridge, she yanked it open and grabbed a carton of eggs and some ham. With practiced ease, she swiped a cast-iron pan from a nearby cabinet and set it on the stove, turning on the burner with a quiet click.

“Hmmm… carbs…” she muttered to herself, scanning the counter. “We’ve got muffins… or toast.”

She grabbed both options, setting them down before rummaging through the fridge again. Might as well make this a decent meal—Dove’s gonna need it after last night.

Fay grabbed some shredded cheese and a bottle of milk before closing the fridge with her hip. She cracked a few eggs into a bowl, whisking them together with a splash of milk before pouring the mixture into the heated pan. The familiar sizzle filled the kitchen, a comforting sound in the quiet morning.

She glanced back at Dove, who was still snoring away in the nest of blankets. She’d better wake up soon, Fay thought, rolling her eyes fondly as she flipped the eggs.

While the food cooked, she popped a couple of muffins onto a plate and tossed a few slices of bread into the toaster. Breakfast was coming together quickly, and the scent of ham and eggs soon filled the air.

Fay smirked. If the alarm didn’t wake her up, this definitely will.

As Fay slid the scrambled eggs onto a plate and turned off the stove, a groggy mumble came from the living room.

“Ugh… what smells so good?”

Fay grinned to herself as she heard shuffling, followed by a muffled groan. She turned to see Dove sluggishly sitting up, her hair a tangled mess, rubbing her eyes like a grumpy toddler. One of her Squishmallows tumbled off the couch as she stretched, yawning.

“Finally awake, sleeping beauty?” She teased, setting the plates on the table. “I was about to start blasting music if the food didn’t wake you up.”

Dove blinked blearily at her, sniffing the air. “You made breakfast?” Her voice was hoarse from sleep as she slowly untangled herself from the blankets.

“Yep,” Fay said, popping the toast out of the toaster and adding it to the plates. “Eggs, ham, toast, muffins. You better eat, ‘cause I’m not making anything else.”

The Bird let out a small whine but dragged herself off the couch, trudging over to the kitchen table. She plopped down in a chair, her head flopping onto the surface with a dramatic sigh. “Too early…”

Fay raised an eyebrow. “It’s past 10:30.”

“Exactly.” Dove peeked up at her with a pout before lazily reaching for a muffin.

The older sister rolled her eyes, sliding a plate in front of her. “Eat your eggs, gremlin.”

Dove huffed, sitting up straighter as she took a bite of her muffin. “I am NOT a gremlin,” she grumbled through a mouthful of food.

Fay smirked, grabbing her own plate and sitting across from her. “Okay, bedhead.”

Dove scowled, reaching up to touch her hair. When her fingers got caught in a particularly stubborn tangle, she groaned dramatically. “Ugh, whatever.”

She chuckled, taking a bite of her eggs. “That’s what I thought. And when you’re done eating, I need to take care of that mess you call hair. Can’t have you walking around with a bird’s nest on your head.”

Dove groaned dramatically, slumping in her chair. “Do we have to? It’s fine, really.”

“You literally just got your fingers stuck in it.”

Dove scowled, shoving another bite of eggs into her mouth to avoid responding.

“Finish up,” Fay said smugly, “and then I’m coming at you with a brush and conditioner after I get changed.”

After Breakfast…

Fay sat on the couch with a hairbrush in one hand and a bottle of leave-in conditioner in the other while Dove sat on the floor in front of her, cross-legged and grumbling.

“Hold still,” Fay muttered, spraying a generous amount of conditioner into Dove’s tangled locks before starting to work the brush through it.

“I am holding still,” Dove huffed. “Just… be gentle, okay? I want it to be smooth, but not, like, totally straight. Maybe a little wavy?”

Fay smirked, pulling the brush through another stubborn knot. “Ohhh, a little wavy, huh? Is this for a certain someone?”

Dove tensed. “W-what?! No! I just like it that way!”

“Uh-huh,” Fay teased, grinning. “So, what’s his name?”

“I don’t like anyone!” Dove protested, her ears turning bright red.

Fay let out a playful hum, brushing another section of hair. “Suuure. Whatever you say, bedhead.”

Dove groaned, covering her face with her hands. “You’re impossible.”

Once Fay finally finished taming the mess, she poked Dove’s shoulder. “There. You look presentable now.”

Dove rolled her eyes but stood up to check her reflection in the hallway mirror, running her fingers through her hair. “Looks good,” she admitted.

“You’re welcome,” Fay said, grinning from ear to ear. Then her expression softened. “So… about visiting Liam later. You still wanna go?”

Dove hesitated. “Yeah… but I don’t know if I should tell Mio about what happened.”

Fay leaned back against the couch, crossing her arms. “Honestly? Probably not a good idea. Not yet, anyway. The last thing we need is for her and her friends to start drama about it. Besides… it’s not like she needs to know.”

Dove nodded slowly. “Yeah… I’ll just tell her he’s sick or something if she asks why he isn’t at school.”

“That’s probably for the best,” Fay agreed. Then she sat up suddenly. “Oh! Before we go, we should bring Liam his phone.”

Dove blinked. “His phone?”

“Yeah. He’s probably bored out of his mind in that hospital room. He’ll need something to distract him from—” Fay hesitated, lowering her voice. “Y’know. The pain.”

Dove swallowed hard, guilt flashing in her eyes. “Right… yeah. I’ll grab it later before we leave.”

Fay gave her a reassuring pat on the back. “Good. Now, go get dressed, you can’t have nice hair and still be in your pajamas.”

The Bird frowned. “Fine, but then could we bike to Dunkin’ or something? I could really use a drink—”

Fay looked absolutely astonished. “WE BOTH JUST ATE BREAKFAST!”

Dove shrugged, completely unfazed. “And? Drinks don’t count as food.”

Fay groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “You’re unbelievable.”

“Oh, c’mon! Just a small iced coffee? Please?” Dove clasped her hands together dramatically.

Fay sighed, shaking her head with a smirk. “Fine, but you’re paying.”

Dove gasped. “What!? That’s robbery!”

“Nope. That’s called ‘big sister tax.’”

Dove groaned, but she was already stomping upstairs, muttering to herself as she  pulled on an outfit. “Ugh, fine. But I’m getting extra whipped cream out of spite.”

The older sibling laughed and plunked down on the couch, scrolling through her phone while she waited. She glanced up every so often, amused by the sound of Dove’s frustrated huffing from upstairs.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of clattering and rummaging, Dove appeared, tying her shoes with exaggerated slowness. “Ready,” she said with a dramatic sigh, hands on her hips.

Dove had thrown on an oversized pastel purple hoodie, the sleeves slightly covering her hands as she tugged them over her fingers. The hood was down, but the fabric was bunched slightly at the back of her neck, showing that she had hastily pulled it on without adjusting it properly. Underneath, she wore a simple black tank top, barely visible beneath the loose fit of the hoodie.

Her light-wash denim shorts reached mid-thigh, slightly frayed at the edges, giving them a worn-in, comfortable look. Paired with that were her favorite white high-top sneakers, scuffed from frequent use, the laces loosely tied as if she had rushed to put them on.  A few colorful beaded bracelets jingled softly on her wrist as she crossed her arms, giving Fay a look of impatient anticipation.

“About time,” Fay teased, standing and stretching. “Let’s go before I change my mind and make you walk.”

She rolled her eyes, but followed her older sister out the door. “I’ll remember that when I’m the one carrying your drinks.”

Fay chuckled. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t forget your wallet, whipped cream fiend.”

“IT’S YOUR FAULT FOR AGREEING!” Dove protested as they hopped onto their bikes and took off down the street, the crisp morning air rushing past them. Fay just shook her head with a grin, pedaling alongside her. The neighborhood was quiet, only the occasional car rolling by as they made their way toward Dunkin’.

By the time they arrived, the scent of coffee and freshly baked pastries filled the air, making Dove’s stomach grumble despite her earlier complaints. They locked up their bikes and headed inside, where the warm lighting and soft hum of conversation made the place feel cozy.

After ordering their drinks—Dove with her extra whipped cream as promised, and Fay with her usual iced coffee—they grabbed a small table near the window. Fay scrolled through her phone while taking a sip of her drink, but Dove barely had time to enjoy hers before her phone buzzed.

She pulled it out, blinking at the screen. Mio: Where are you?

Dove’s stomach twisted slightly. She hesitated before showing the text to Fay. “It’s Mio,” she muttered. “She’s asking where we are….. This also means she found her phone-”

Fay raised an eyebrow. “Good for her. Did you tell her we weren’t going to school today?”

Dove shook her head. “No… I mean, I don’t even know what to say. If I tell her we’re at Dunkin’, she’s gonna ask why.  Actually, I know how to handle this.”

She hesitated for a moment before typing out a response:

Dove: Liam’s sick. Mom wasn’t sure if we were contagious, so she didn’t want us going to school.

After a second, she added another line, her fingers moving a little slower over the screen.

You finally found your phone? I thought Liam took it.

She hit send and stared at the screen, watching for the typing bubble to appear. A knot of anxiety twisted in her stomach. Lying wasn’t exactly her strong suit, and even though this wasn’t technically a lie, it still felt like one.

Fay leaned over to glance at the phone. “Smooth,” she said sarcastically, sipping her coffee. “Now she’s definitely going to respond.”

As if on cue, the phone buzzed.

Mio: Wait, he didn’t? I thought I left it in my bag, but when I checked again, it was just there this morning. Weird.

Dove let out a slow breath, gripping her cup tighter. So… Liam hadn’t stolen it. Not that she had ever really thought he had, but now the full weight of her mistake was sinking in all over again.

Fay must’ve noticed her expression because she nudged her lightly. “Hey, don’t start spiraling again. You’re already gonna have to deal with Liam when we visit him. No point in making yourself feel worse before that.”

Dove just nodded, staring at her phone, debating whether to text back.

Another text popped up.

Mio: Auggie says hi btw

She immediately started typing back.

Dove: Tell him to save some swedish fish for me

Mio: LOL WE KNOW YOU LIKE HIM-

Dove: WELL AT LEAST HE DOESN’T

Mio: YET.

Dove: SHADDUP! AREN’T YOU IN ENGLISH RN?

Mio: Ye but me and the others have been thinking… maybe we could go to the Graveyard together since it’s almost Halloween; would you be up for that?

Dove: When???

Mio: When we can all sneak out, genius.  Preferably next month, your siblings can come too, we’re all gonna be there!

Dove: Me, you, Holly, Auggie, Liam, and Fay?  What about Raymond?  

Mio: He can come too, I’m sure Fay wouldn’t mind anyways- she’d be the oldest if it weren’t for him, and yk how they look at each other >:3 

Dove snorted, shaking her head as she typed back.

Dove: You’re so annoying. I swear you just live to tease people.

Mio: And you live to deny the obvious 😉

Dove rolled her eyes but felt heat creeping up her neck. She took a big sip of her drink to cool off, but it didn’t help much.

Fay, who had been watching her reactions with amusement, smirked. “What’s got you all red?”

“Nothing,” Dove muttered, locking her phone and shoving it into her pocket. “Just Mio being dumb.”

Fay raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. Sure. It wouldn’t have anything to do with a certain someone and a bag of Swedish Fish, would it?”

Dove peeked through her fingers, a mischievous smirk creeping onto her face. “Oh, you know… just me, Mio, Auggie, Holly, and the others. Oh! And of course, Raymond,” she teased, drawing out his name just to see Fay’s reaction.

For the briefest moment, Fay’s expression faltered—eyes widening just a fraction—before she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. “Came along where exactly?” she asked, tone carefully neutral.

Dove grinned. “The graveyard. Y’know, since it’s almost Halloween. Mio was thinking we should all sneak out together one night next month.”

Fay scoffed, taking another sip of her drink as if the conversation didn’t faze her. “And you just assumed I’d care if Raymond came?”

Dove gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. “Oh, forgive me, I didn’t realize you suddenly weren’t super awkward around him.”

Fay narrowed her eyes, but Dove was already snickering.

“Seriously, though,” Dove continued, switching gears, “Mio said everyone’s in, so what do you think? Wanna go?”

Fay tapped her fingers against her cup, pretending to consider. “Graveyard hangout with a bunch of troublemakers?” She glanced at her sister and smirked. “Yeah, sounds like a terrible idea. I’m in.”

Chapter 4: A “Reluctant” Visit

STRONG TRIGGER WARNING: Yelling, crying, an increased amount of trauma/drama.

Time flew by after their stop at Dunkin’. The hours blurred together as they played video games, caught up on homework, and debated what they’d bring to the Graveyard Hangout. But as lunchtime rolled around, their excitement faded, replaced by a lingering unease.

Sitting at the kitchen table, pushing her food around with her fork, Dove finally spoke. “So… how do we tell the others about Liam?”

Fay sighed, resting her chin on her hand. “We have to tell them, but I don’t think we should drop it on them all at once. Maybe start with Mio and let her tell the others?”

Dove frowned. “Mio’s not exactly subtle, though. If we tell her, the whole group will know within five minutes.”

Fay smirked. “True. But do you want to be the one to explain it six different times?”

Dove groaned, slumping back in her chair. “Fair point.”

A beat of silence passed between them before Fay nudged her. “Hey, we’ll figure it out. One step at a time, alright?”

Dove exhaled deeply, gripping Liam’s phone in her hands. “Yeah. First step… visiting him.”

Fay stood, stretching. “Then let’s not put it off any longer, I don’t want to trouble Mom or Dad with having to use gas when we can just bike, is that okay?”

Her little sister nodded determinedly. 

With that, the two sisters grabbed their things and headed out the door, ready—or as ready as they’d ever be—for their reluctant visit.

It took them nearly 45 minutes to reach the hospital from their house, and by the time they arrived, exhaustion weighed heavily on them. Despite the cool air, the long bike trip left their legs aching, and neither of them had much energy to talk. As they approached the hospital doors, Dove hesitated, gripping Liam’s phone tighter in her hand.

Fay noticed and nudged her shoulder. “Come on. The sooner we get this over with, the better. I already texted Mom, so all we have to do is wait.”

With a deep breath, Dove nodded, and they both made their way to the waiting room—the same one they had sat in yesterday. The Bird shifted uncomfortably in her seat, staring down at Liam’s phone in her hands, tapping her fingers against the case.

Fay leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. “You sure you wanna go in first? Or do you want me to?”

Dove hesitated, biting her lip. “I should probably do it… I mean, I brought his phone, and—” she swallowed hard, “I need to apologize.”

Fay gave a small nod. “Alright. Just… don’t push him, okay?”

Dove didn’t respond, just kept staring at the door, dreading what was to come.

“Everything will be fine,” her older sister reassured her. “Just… he’s going through a lot, you know that. I’ll be right outside the door. You can do this.”

Dove swallowed hard, gripping Liam’s phone tighter. Before she could respond, a nurse stepped into the waiting room, glancing down at a clipboard.

“Fay and Dove Burns?”

They immediately stood up, Dove’s legs feeling like lead as she followed her sister down the hall.  Each step closer to Liam’s room, her heart pounded harder.

Their parents were still sitting on the same bench, their faces etched with exhaustion. Dark circles framed their eyes, and it was clear they had spent the night worrying, praying, and trying to console each other. But at least it seemed like they had eaten—an empty coffee cup sat beside their mother, and a half-eaten sandwich rested on their father’s lap.

Fay exhaled softly, exchanging a glance with Dove before stepping forward. “Mom, Dad… we’re here.”

Mrs. Burns’ voice was surprisingly soft compared to yesterday. “Hey, honey… it’s good to see you both. Did you rest alright?”

They both nodded silently, but before either could say another word, their mother pulled them into a tight embrace, holding them close as if trying to shield them from the weight of everything that had happened. Her warmth was comforting, yet there was an undeniable sadness lingering in the way she held them.

She pulled back, brushing a stray hair from Dove’s face before offering a small, weary smile. “You should go see your brother now. He’s been awake for a while.”

Fay swallowed, stealing a glance at Dove before nodding. “Alright… you go first.”

Before she could fully process what was happening, Dove found herself standing in Liam’s hospital room, clutching his phone so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her whole body trembled, her chest tightening as she tried to steady her breathing. The sterile scent of disinfectant filled her nose, the quiet beeping of machines reminding her just how real this all was.

Her head spun, thoughts racing in a frantic loop. What was she supposed to say? How could she possibly make this right? Every possible sentence felt wrong, too small, too meaningless in the face of what she had done.

Liam lay in the hospital bed, his face pale, dark circles under his eyes. He turned his head slightly, his gaze landing on her. His expression was unreadable—was he angry? Sad? Tired of even looking at her?

Dove swallowed hard and took a shaky step forward, gripping the phone like it was a lifeline. “H-Hey… I, um… I brought your phone,” she said weakly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam’s gaze flickered down to the phone in her hands, then back up to her face. He didn’t reach for it. He didn’t say anything. The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating.

Dove’s heart pounded. She felt like she was standing on a thin sheet of ice, one wrong move away from falling into freezing water. “I-I thought you might want it,” she tried again, taking another hesitant step closer. “You’re probably bored… and, um, I figured it might help distract you from… you know.”

Still, Liam said nothing. His expression remained blank, but there was something in his eyes—something guarded, something broken.

Dove bit her lip, shifting on her feet. “Mio and the others have been texting,” she added quickly, desperate to fill the silence. “They, uh… they want to hang out soon. Mio said Auggie says hi.”

At that, something flickered in Liam’s face. He let out a short, humorless laugh. “August says hi?” he repeated bitterly. “Great. Maybe I can text him back—oh wait.” He lifted his hands slightly, then dropped them onto the blanket. “I don’t even know how I’m supposed to hold my phone in here.”

Dove swallowed the lump in her throat and stepped closer, gently placing the phone on the rolling table beside his bed. “I-I can set it up for you, if you want…”

Liam finally met her eyes, and the weight of his gaze nearly crushed her. “What I want,” he said quietly, his voice flat, “is for things to go back to how they were before.”

Dove felt her throat tighten. “I—I know. I’m so sorry, Liam.”

His jaw clenched, and for a moment, she thought he was going to yell at her again. Instead, he just sighed, turning his head away. “Just… leave the phone.”

“But—”

Liam cut her off, his voice sharp and bitter. “The doctors said I’ll have to get physical therapy, learn how to freaking walk again. They said I might have trauma—actual trauma—besides the physical ones.” His hands clenched into fists against the blanket, his breathing uneven. “Do you even get what that means, Dove? I’m going to have to relearn everything. I won’t just get up and start moving like nothing happened.”

Dove flinched, guilt twisting like a knife in her stomach. “I-I know it won’t be easy, but—”

“But what?” Liam snapped, finally turning his head to glare at her. “But it’ll get better? But I’ll ‘adjust’? Do you think I want to ‘adjust’ to this? Do you think I want to spend months—years—trying to pretend like I don’t notice people staring? Like I don’t care when people treat me differently?”

Dove’s throat tightened. “I—I don’t know what to say…”

“Yeah? Then don’t say anything,” Liam muttered, looking away again. His voice dripped with sarcasm as he added, “I’m soooo glad Mio finally found her little phone. Was it worth it? The yelling, the accusations, pushing me into a shelf… ruining my life?”

Dove flinched, but he wasn’t done.

“Do she and the others even know?” His eyes snapped back to her, sharp and accusing. “Did you even tell them why I’m not at school? Or are you just pretending nothing happened—like I don’t exist?”

Dove’s breath caught in her throat. She wanted to argue, to say something—anything—but the truth burned too much. She hadn’t told them. She had lied. She had pretended. Because facing the reality of what she’d done was too much.

Liam scoffed at her silence. “Figures.”

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes. “Liam, I—”

“Just leave the phone,” he cut her off coldly. “And get out.”

Dove hesitated, staring at him, hoping—begging—for any sign that he didn’t truly hate her. But all she saw was pain.

With shaking hands, she placed his phone on the rolling table beside him. “I-I’m sorry, big brother,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, like a fragile thread about to snap.

Liam didn’t respond. He didn’t even look at her. But his silence was louder than words, his eyes dark and distant.

“Don’t call me that.”

Dove swallowed the lump in her throat, her vision blurring as she took a shaky step back. She wanted to fix this. She wanted to rewind time and undo everything. But she couldn’t.

With a heavy heart, she turned and walked out, shutting the door softly behind her.

Fay’s hopeful smile faltered the moment she saw Dove’s face. “So, how’d it go?” she asked, though the answer was already clear.

Dove didn’t respond—not with words, at least. Her whole body trembled, her breaths coming in short, shaky gasps. Then, as if the weight of everything crashed down on her at once, she collapsed to her knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

“H-he… h-he—” Her voice cracked as she buried her face in her hands. “I shouldn’t be his sister anymore! He said so! And he’s right! Liam’s right!” She clutched at her sleeves, her nails digging into the fabric. “How could I be so stupid to think he’d just forgive me? I—I ruined everything!”

Fay’s chest tightened. She hated seeing her little sister like this. Hated that there was nothing she could say to fix what had happened. So instead, she knelt down beside her, hesitating for only a moment before wrapping her arms around Dove, holding her tight.

“He’s angry, Dove,” Fay murmured. “And he has every right to be. But that doesn’t mean you’re not his sister. That doesn’t mean he’ll never forgive you.”

Dove only sobbed harder, her whole body shaking in Fay’s grasp.

“SHUT UP!” Liam’s furious scream echoed from inside the room, making Dove flinch.

Mr. Burns immediately shot up from his seat, his face tight with frustration. “This is unacceptable!”

Their mother, Meris, quickly stood as well, placing a firm hand on his arm. “Floyd, just let him think, okay? He—he really needs space right now. You know that.”

Floyd clenched his jaw, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “Meris, I understand why he’s mad at Dove, but he has no right to shut her out like this. She’s genuinely sorry. She knows she messed up, and she’s trying!”

Dove could barely hear them over the ringing in her ears. Tears blurred her vision as she hugged herself, trying to make herself as small as possible. She wished she could just disappear.

“I’m just going to talk to him,” their dad was saying, his tone firm but measured. “It might help a bit—he needs to hear this, whether he wants to or not.”

Meris hesitated, worry flickering across her face. “Floyd…”

“I won’t push him,” Floyd assured her, already moving toward the door. “But shutting everyone out isn’t going to fix anything.”

Dove wiped her face with the sleeve of her hoodie, watching as her father knocked gently before stepping into Liam’s room, Fay at his heels. She swallowed hard, her heart pounding. Would this make things better… or worse?

Inside the Hospital Room…

“Liam, we need to have a talk,” Mr. Burns said as he pulled a chair next to Liam’s bed, his expression softer than before but still firm.

Liam scoffed, crossing his arms. “What is there to even talk about?” His gaze flickered past his father to the doorway, where Fay stood hesitantly. His eyes narrowed. “And why are you here? You’re not defending her, are you?”

Floyd let out a slow breath, keeping his voice calm. “I’m not here to take sides, son. I’m here because I know you’re hurting. And not just physically.”

Liam turned his head away, staring at the wall. “Yeah? Well, talking isn’t going to change the fact that my legs are gone. That I can’t do anything I used to. That my own sister is the reason I’m stuck in this bed.” His voice cracked, but he quickly clenched his jaw, swallowing back any sign of weakness.

Fay shifted uncomfortably, but their father stayed steady. “I won’t pretend to understand what you’re going through, Liam. But shutting everyone out, pushing away the people who love you—it’s not going to make this any easier.”

Liam’s hands gripped the blanket tightly, his knuckles turning white. “I don’t care,” he muttered. “She ruined everything over a phone. And now I have to live with it.”

Fay hesitated for a moment before stepping closer, placing a gentle hand on Liam’s head. He flinched but didn’t pull away.

“Lil bro, I know this is hard—harder than anything—but please, listen,” she said softly. “Dad’s right. And not only that… we want you back. I want you back. The real you.”

Liam scoffed but didn’t say anything.

“Mio wants you to come hang out,” Fay continued, trying to inject a bit of lightness into her voice. “Please? It’ll be fun. Just like old times. And… I bet everyone’s gonna think your prosthetics are cool. Like, really cool. Maybe even cooler than you.” She nudged him playfully, though her voice wavered with emotion.

Liam let out a dry, bitter chuckle but still didn’t meet her eyes. His grip on the blanket loosened just a little.

Fay gave him a small grin, “Hey, since they’re probably gonna be mechanical, you can even customize em’—color, look, everything. Maybe if we’re allowed to, we could even add LED lights, y’know?  Imagine walking into a dark room with neon legs, all bzzt-bzzt!”

Liam scoffed, shaking his head. “Oh yeah, great. Just what I need—glowing robot legs.”

Fay chuckled. “C’mon, you know that sounds kinda awesome. You’d be like a real-life cyborg. Bet Mio and Auggie would lose their minds over it.” She wiggled her fingers for effect, trying to pull even the tiniest smile from him. “ Or RGB lighting that changes with your mood. You could be the first person to have gamer legs, Liam!”

Liam exhaled through his nose—almost a laugh, almost—but still stared at the blanket. His grip had loosened completely now.  His lips twitched slightly, almost as if he wanted to smile—but just as quickly, the moment passed. His shoulders sagged, and he exhaled slowly, looking at his lap.

Fay’s grin softened. “Look, I know it’s not fair. None of this is. But you’re not in this alone, okay? We’re still here. I’m still here.”

Liam didn’t answer, but he didn’t push her away either. 

Fay leaned in a little closer, her tone soft but hopeful. “When you’re up for it—and when they’re free, which is probably after school since it’s Friday—would you want to video call with the gang? I can set it up on your phone or bring my laptop back here, whatever works for you.”

She tried to read his expression, searching for any sign of interest, but Liam just stared blankly ahead.

Fay continued, her voice gentle, “It could be a good distraction… maybe even give you a bit of normalcy, you know? We all miss you. They miss you. Mio’s probably planning to bug you about a little event of ours.”

A faint flicker of something—maybe curiosity, maybe just a hint of interest—crossed his face, but he didn’t speak right away.

Mr. Burns smiled at him, a hint of relief in his eyes. “Well, I think it’s settled then,” he said, leaning back slightly in his chair. “No pressure, but whenever you’re ready, we’ll set up the call. Your friends will be happy to see you.”

Fay and their father got ready to leave, offering him a small smile. “Just think about it, okay? No rush. Oh, and next time I’ll bring some more stuff from your room—does a stuffie and your Switch sound good? I’ll just have to find the games, wherever they are.”

Liam hesitated for a moment before sighing. “They’re in the second drawer of my desk. The Switch and its charger should be in my backpack by the closet.”

Fay grinned. “Got it. I’ll grab them later.” She hesitated at the door, glancing back at him. “Take it, alright?”

He nodded as they both turned to leave. Just before the door fully shut, his voice, quiet but sincere, slipped through the gap.

“Thanks, Fay.”

She paused for a moment, humming softly before continuing down the hall towards Dove and their mother.

Chapter 5: The Goober Gang

The golden hues of late afternoon stretched across the park, casting long shadows over the playground. A crisp breeze rustled the trees, carrying the sounds of laughter, the occasional squeak of sneakers against wood chips, and the distant hum of cars passing by.

Dove was perched on the swing beside Mio, who was lazily rocking back and forth with her feet dragging on the ground. Nearby, Holly and Auggie were engaged in an animated discussion over something dumb, while Raymond and Fay leaned against a tree, arms crossed, watching the chaos unfold.

“So,” Mio drawled, flicking a stray lock of brown hair out of her face. “Are you finally gonna tell us why you’re here despite calling in sick, and what’s going on with Liam, or are we just supposed to keep pretending he’s bed-ridden at home watching cartoons or something?”

Dove stiffened, gripping the chains on the swing a little tighter. She shot a glance at Fay, silently begging her to take over, but her older sister only gave her a look that said, This is your thing to tell, Bird.

“Well… he is currently bed-ridden,” the girl started.

Raymond raised a brow, his usual unreadable expression shifting into mild concern. “Something happen?”

Auggie stopped mid-sentence and turned to face them, and Holly followed suit, her vibrant orange hair catching the light. The entire group was watching now, waiting.

Dove took a deep breath, her fingers curling around the hem of her hoodie. “Liam… he’s actually in the hospital.”

Silence. The air seemed to thicken around them.

“What?” Holly’s voice was sharp with disbelief.

“What do you mean ‘in the hospital’?” Augustine asked, brows furrowed.

Dove swallowed, her throat dry. “It’s… my fault.”

Mio sat up straighter. “What are you talking about?”

Fay exhaled through her nose, deciding to step in before Dove completely lost it. “There was an accident. A bad one.” She hesitated before adding, “Liam lost his legs.”

The reaction was immediate.

Holly’s hands shot over her mouth, her blue eyes wide. Auggie visibly flinched, while Raymond’s black eyebrows knitted together.

“No way,” Mio whispered. “You’re joking, right?”

Dove shook her head. “I wish I was.”

For a long moment, no one spoke. Then, Raymond pushed off the tree, his voice quieter than usual. “…What happened?”

Dove bit her lip, looking at the ground. “I thought he stole Mio’s phone. We were arguing, and I— I pushed him. He fell into a shelf, and it collapsed on him.”

Mio’s eyes darkened, her mouth pressing into a thin line. “But he didn’t actually take it.”

“No,” Dove murmured.

More silence. The weight of the revelation settled over the group like a thick fog.

Mio and Auggie, usually the loudest among them, were eerily quiet. Holly looked like she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words.

Raymond exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “…Shoot.”

Mio crossed her arms, staring at her best friend. “Does he hate you?”

Dove flinched like she’d been struck.

“Mio—” Fay started, but Dove cut in.

“I don’t know,” she admitted, voice small. “Maybe.”

Another long pause. Then, to everyone’s surprise, Auggie spoke up. “Can we visit him?”

Fay blinked, while Dove just looked up. 

“I mean… he probably doesn’t want to see you right now,” Aug added quickly, “but maybe the rest of us?  Just to let him know we’re here for him?”

Fay glanced at Dove, who looked uncertain, but after a moment, she nodded. “Yeah. I think he’d like that… but for now, maybe just a call would be better.” She shifted slightly, rubbing the back of her neck. “Fay already gave him her laptop, so we could probably set up a video call later.”

Mio tapped her fingers against the metal bar of the swing, considering. “Yeah, that makes sense. Less pressure, and he won’t feel like we’re all ambushing him.”

Auggie nodded. “Good call. But we are visiting eventually.”

“Obviously,” Holly agreed. “Even if we have to drag Raymond there with us.”

Raymond rolled his eyes but didn’t argue.

Mio O’Mally glanced around at the group, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “So, does this mean the Graveyard Hangout is still a go for next month? Because I’ve been doing some research—found a passageway they didn’t lock off.” She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice for dramatic effect. “According to some news articles and local rumors, the whole cemetery is run-down and haunted…”

Auggie grinned. “Perfect. That just makes it more fun.”

Holly raised an eyebrow at her little brother. “Yeah, until we all get arrested for trespassing.”

Raymond scoffed. “Please. It’s not like they have guards patrolling a graveyard in the middle of nowhere.”

Dove shifted uncomfortably. “Are we sure about this? I mean… what if it’s actually dangerous?”

Mio smirked. “That’s what makes it exciting, Dove. Besides, we’ll come prepared—flashlights, snacks, maybe even some ghost-hunting gear if we wanna go all out.”

Fay crossed her arms, eyeing the group. “Fine. But if something goes horribly wrong, I reserve the right to say, ‘I told you so.’”

Augustine immediately raised his hand. “I’ll bring the flowers and holy water! Holly has weapons, especially since she’s on the baseball team.”

Holly shot him a glare, her arms crossing. “Shut up, flower boy. We almost named you Basil if it weren’t for the fact you had red hair.”

Auggie gasped in mock horror. “Well, they almost named you April until they realized you had red hair.”

“Says the kid wearing overalls and a striped shirt,” Holly shot back, smirking. “I mean, talk about kidcore.”

Auggie huffed, adjusting his overall strap. “Excuse me for having style—not all of us can live in ripped jeans and an attitude problem.”

Mio snorted, nearly choking on her soda. “Oh my gosh, you guys. We’re planning a graveyard adventure, not a fashion roast battle.”

Raymond sighed dramatically. “This is why we can’t have nice things.”

Fay chuckled, shaking her head as she glanced at Ray. “You two never stop, huh?”

Dove smirked, taking a sip of her slushy. “At this rate, we’re gonna get haunted before we even make it to the cemetery.”

Mio grinned, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Nah, the ghosts would probably get fed up and leave. Or join in.”

Holly scoffed, flipping her hair. “Fine by me. If a ghost wants to fight, they can catch these hands.”

Auggie gave her a look. “Oh, so I’m the immature one, but you’re out here trying to square up with the undead?  Talk about disrespectful.”

His older sister rolled her eyes and cracked her knuckles. “It’s not like you can do much besides throwing seeds at a bunch of ghosts and jingling a bell” She pointed at his overall pockets, which were practically overflowing with flowers, seeds, and acorns he’d gathered from the park. 

Raymond, who had been silently watching the chaos unfold, finally sighed. “So, we’re still doing this, right?  Actually doing it?”

They all nodded in agreement, the excitement for the upcoming adventure building.  The older boy held up a hand for silence, “Alright then, listen up,” he said, now plopping down onto a bench. 

“I’ll pick everyone up in the van next month. Don’t worry about how you’re gonna get there—I’ve got the ride covered. Just be ready, we’re rolling out when the sun goes down.”

Mio started to giggle. “You’re acting like this is happening tonight! Quit taking everything so seriously!” Then, with a mischievous grin, she turned to Fay. “And don’t back your boyfriend up.”

Fay immediately froze, her face flushing a deep red. “H-he’s not my boyfriend!” she sputtered, crossing her arms as she tried to play it cool. “We’re just— I mean, he’s just—”

Raymond simply smirked, resting his chin in his hand as he watched her flounder. “Go on,” he teased, “I’d love to hear what I just am.”

The others snickered, while Dove facepalmed beside Fay. “Oh my gosh, you’re so bad at this.”

Mio cackled, nudging Augustine, “See? Told ya they were a thing.”

Auggie nodded sagely. “Yup. Classic case of mutual pining.”

Holly rolled her eyes. “If you two are done being middle schoolers, can we get back to the whole sneaking-into-a-haunted-graveyard plan?”

Fay groaned, rubbing her temples. “Can we please not do this right now?” She shot a glare at Raymond, who just shrugged, looking entirely too amused for her liking.

“Hey, I’m just enjoying the show,” he said, leaning back. “But seriously, I’ll pick everyone up in my van next month. That way, we don’t have to bike or get caught walking.”

Dove perked up at that. “Wait, since when do you have a van?”

Raymond smirked. “Since I fixed up my uncle’s old one. It runs just fine… probably.”

“Probably?” Fay deadpanned.

“You’ll be fine,” he said with a wink.

Augustine leaned over to Dove, whispering with a weird look on his face, “I like your hair… it looks… cool.”

Dove blinked, caught off guard, her cheeks immediately turning pink. “U-uh, thanks…” she mumbled, unsure how to respond to the sudden compliment.

Holly raised an eyebrow from across the bench. “Oooh, Augustine, getting all smooth with the compliments now?”

Auggie shot her a playful glare, his hands raised in defense. “What? It’s a compliment, no harm in that!”

Fay, still trying to recover from the earlier teasing, grinned at her little sister. “Looks like someone’s got a fan,” she teased, nudging Dove with her elbow.

Dove groaned, burying her face in her hands. “Shut up, please.”

“Touche!” Augustine said with a dramatic flair, raising his hands as if he’d just won a victory. He then shot Dove an exaggerated wink. “But seriously, you’ve got some style. It’s hard not to notice.”

Dove groaned again, her face turning even redder.  They all knew she had tried to style her hair like his. “Stop, please, I don’t need this today.”

“Hey, hey, no need to be shy,” Mio teased, grinning from ear to ear. “We’re just here for the fun, right? All compliments are valid.”

Fay laughed, leaning back on her hands. “I think Auggie’s just trying to boost your confidence for the big graveyard hangout next month.”

Dove rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the slight smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Whatever, you guys are so embarrassing.”

“Well, that’s what friends are for,” Holly chimed in, smirking at her little brother. “And by the way, I don’t think anyone will forget that you are the one with acorns stuffed in your pockets.”

Augustine groaned, “I’ll have you know these are premium acorns, thank you very much. You never know when you’ll need to plant a tree or, y’know… bribe a squirrel.”

Mio snickered. “Or chuck them at ghosts?”

“Exactly!” Auggie pointed at her. “See? At least she gets it.”

Dove sighed, covering her face. “Why am I even friends with you people?” 

“Because we’re the best,” her older sister replied, nudging her with her foot. “And because deep down, you love us.”

Dove huffed but didn’t deny it.

Raymond had been recently trying to swing on the monkey bars, but failed (mainly because he was too tall), spoke up again. “Alright, alright, before this turns into a full-blown debate about ghost defense strategies, I’ll be the one to say it—-we’ve got nearly everything planned out, except for the food.”

“See? Responsible,” Holly said, shooting a look at her brother. “Unlike some people.”

Auggie stuck out his tongue. “I’m very responsible. I take care of plants and provide comic relief. Essential party member.”

Mio clapped her hands together. “You two need to shut up or we’ll sacrifice you both first to the ghosts.  Now, what snacks is everyone bringing?”

They quickly started listing off their snack contributions, ensuring they had all the essentials for their late-night graveyard hangout.

Mio tapped her chin in thought. “Okay, I’m bringing the ultimate party mix—chips, gummies, and those fancy European chocolates my mom hides in the top cabinet.”

Auggie perked up. “I got drinks covered—soda, juice, and a thermos of hot chocolate, since someone might get scared.” He shot Dove a teasing grin.

Dove rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, very funny. I’m bringing popcorn and—” she glanced at Fay, “—probably some of those cookies we always make.”

Holly nodded. “I’ll bring beef jerky, trail mix, and some protein bars. You children need proper food.”

Raymond smirked. “I’ll grab some pizza rolls. Easy to eat, and I know you all love ‘em.”

Fay stretched her arms behind her head. “I’ll bake something too—maybe brownies or pumpkin bread. Gotta have something homemade for a night like this.”

They all nodded in agreement, content with their snack haul. But just as the conversation shifted back to their plans, Dove’s phone buzzed. She glanced down at the screen, expecting Mio to be sending more nonsense texts from under the table, but her stomach flipped when she saw Liam’s name.

Liam: Where are you?

Her fingers hovered over the digital keyboard for a moment before she hesitantly typed back.  

Dove: At the park with the others.

There was a brief pause before another message popped up.

Liam: Are you with the gang?

Dove: Yeah… why?

A few seconds passed, and then—

Liam: Can you FaceTime?

Chapter 6: Through the Screen

Dove swallowed hard as she stared at the text. FaceTiming Liam… with everyone here? She glanced at Fay, who had already noticed her hesitation.

“Are you gonna do it?” Fay asked softly, tilting her head toward the phone.

Dove exhaled, nodding. “Yeah. I think… I think he wants to see everyone.”

Without waiting for more debate, she hit the FaceTime button. The ringing felt longer than usual, stretching out the anticipation. Then, the screen shifted, and suddenly, Liam was there.

The conversation around them died instantly.

Liam looked… different. The bruises on his face had started to fade into ugly yellows and greens, but the sheer exhaustion in his eyes made it clear he wasn’t fully okay. His blonde hair was messy, and the hospital gown he wore only made him look smaller. His right arm was propped up with bandages wrapped tightly around his shoulder, and even though they all knew what had happened, it was still jarring to see him like this.

Mio’s mouth opened slightly, her usual teasing nature faltering for once. Holly, who had been mid-snack, slowly lowered her granola bar. Augustine’s smile disappeared, his fingers gripping the acorns still stuffed in his pockets. Even Raymond, always the calm and collected one, shifted uncomfortably.

“Uh… hey, man,” Raymond finally said, his voice careful. “How’re you holding up?”

Liam smirked weakly, his voice scratchy but laced with forced humor. “Well, I’m not dead, so that’s a plus.”

Mio blinked before forcing a smile. “Jeez, dude, give us a little warning next time, huh? You look like you just fought a war.”

Liam chuckled, though it was quiet. “Feels like it.”

Dove tightened her grip on the phone, watching as her friends tried to mask their concern. She had been so caught up in her own guilt, she hadn’t thought about how they would react to actually seeing him like this.

Holly cleared her throat. “Well… we did say we’d call you sometime. Guess we’re ahead of schedule.”

Liam gave a small nod. “Yeah. It’s good to see you guys.”

The tension started to ease, but the weight of the moment still lingered. No one wanted to say what they were all thinking—he didn’t just look different. He looked like a reminder of what had happened.

Fay cleared her throat, trying to lighten the mood. “So, uh, we were just finalizing plans for the Graveyard Hangout next month. You’re still coming, right?”

Liam raised an eyebrow. “Pretty sure you’re asking the guy who currently can’t walk if he’s coming to a graveyard in the middle of the night.”

Augustine grinned. “We can bring you in a wagon!”

“Absolutely not,” Liam deadpanned, though the corner of his lips twitched.

“We’ve got everything planned,” Mio chimed in, holding up her notebook. “Snacks? Covered. Holly’s bringing the ‘don’t get possessed’ weapons. Auggie’s in charge of holy water and flowers—”

“Protective herbs,” Augustine corrected.

“Same thing,” Mio continued. “And I’m making a map.”

Liam blinked. “A map? Of the cemetery?”

Mio grinned proudly. “Yup! I found some old blueprints online, plus I’ve been researching which areas are supposedly extra haunted. I wanna make sure we know where to go.”

Liam sighed. “Of course you do.”

“Speaking of plans,” Raymond cut in, “how much longer till you’re out of the hospital?”

Liam’s expression faltered slightly, and he shifted in the hospital bed. “Dunno. The doctors are saying maybe another two weeks or so, if physical therapy goes well. Otherwise… longer.”

There was a brief silence.

“That sucks,” Dove muttered.

Liam shrugged. “Yeah, well. Nothing I can do about it.”

Mio sat forward. “You better be out before the hangout, though. We need your sarcastic commentary and skeptic energy so that Auggie doesn’t start trying to befriend ghosts.”

“Hey!” Augustine protested. “If there are ghosts, maybe they’re just lonely!”

Liam chuckled, shaking his head. “You guys are ridiculous.”

Holly smirked. “And you better be there. Even if we have to carry you.”

Liam rolled his eyes but smiled. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll do my best… but I’m hoping I’ll have prosthetics by then.”

Mio perked up. “Wait, prosthetics? What kind? Like, super high-tech ones? Are we talking cyborg Liam?”

Liam smirked, crossing his arms. “You’ll see, and it also depends on the cost.”

Fay grinned, throwing him a wink. Liam returned it.

Raymond raised an eyebrow. “Oh great, now you two are conspiring.”

“Always,” Fay said smugly.

“Now I really wanna know,” Augustine muttered, squinting at the screen.

Liam just chuckled. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Dove’s expression shifted to concern. “Hey… have they been feeding you well?”

Liam snorted. “Yes, Dove, I’m not wasting away if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“Are you sure? Hospital food is notorious for being terrible.”

He shrugged. “It’s fine, I guess. It’s like what they say about Panera—glorified hospital food.  But you know what I really miss? The cookies we make. Those would actually cheer me up.”

Dove’s eyes lit up. “Oh! We could totally bake some and bring them to you!”

Fay nodded. “Yeah, that’s easy. We’ll make a whole batch.”

Liam smirked. “Just make sure Auggie doesn’t eat them all first.”

Augustine looked offended, “I would never—”

“Dude, you literally stole an entire tray last time.”

“Okay, but in my defense, they were really good.”

Everybody facepalmed, a collective groan filling the call, but it didn’t take long before laughter bubbled up between them. The sheer audacity of Augustine’s defense, combined with Liam’s deadpan expression, made it impossible to stay serious. Mio clutched her stomach as she doubled over, wheezing, while Holly shook her head, muttering something about how disgraceful it was to have him as a sibling.

Raymond just leaned back, arms crossed, smirking at the chaos unfolding on the screen. “Some things never change,” he remarked, shaking his head.

Dove wiped at her eyes, still giggling. “Okay, okay, we’ll make extra. Just for you, Liam. And we’ll make sure Auggie doesn’t eat them all before we even get to the hospital.”

As the laughter died down, Mio stretched her arms over her head and yawned. “Welp, as fun as this has been, it’s getting kinda late. We should probably wrap this up.”

Liam nodded from the screen, looking a little more relaxed than he had at the start of the call. “Yeah, I should probably get some rest too. Nurses are already giving me the side-eye for being on my phone this long.”

“Don’t wanna get in trouble,” Fay teased, smirking. “Alright, we’ll let you go. But we’ll check in again soon, yeah?”

Liam gave a small smile. “Yeah… I’d like that.”

One by one, they all said their goodbyes, Dove hesitating for a second before finally murmuring, “Night, big brother.”

Liam paused, his expression unreadable for a moment before he exhaled and gave her a small nod. “Night, Dove.”

The screen went dark as the call ended, leaving the group in silence for a moment. The sky had turned dusky, streaked with deep oranges and purples.

Raymond stood up, dusting off his pants. “Guess, that’s our cue to head out.”

Holly nodded at her brother, stretching. “Yeah, I don’t need Mom yelling at me for getting home late again.”

Mio grinned. “Agreed. Alright everyone, let’s get moving!  See you all soon.”

As they gathered all their things and started parting ways, Dove and Fay lingered for a moment. Fay nudged her younger sister, a knowing smile on her lips “See? That wasn’t so bad.”

Dove sighed, stuffing her hands into her pockets. “Yeah… I guess not.”

With that, they turned and headed home, the night settling in around them.

Chapter 7: Relationship Repairs

A few days had passed since the call with Liam, and things were finally starting to feel normal again—at least on the surface. The Burn’s kitchen was filled with the sweet scent of sugar and chocolate, the countertops a chaotic mess of flour, mixing bowls, and half-decorated cookies. Laughter bounced off the walls as Mio attempted to pipe frosting onto a cookie, only for it to come out in an unappetizing blob.

“Oh wow, look at that masterpiece, Picasso,” Holly teased, leaning over to inspect Mio’s work. “I’m sure Liam will love eating that disaster.”

“It’s abstract,” Mio shot back, shoving a finished cookie into her mouth. “I call it Screaming Void of Despair—very on brand for him.”

Across the table, Auggie and Raymond were focused on carefully tying together small bundles of flowers. They had picked out a mix of yellow and white blooms—bright and cheerful, a contrast to the gloom that had been hanging over Liam’s hospital room.

“Are we sure he won’t think the flowers are weird?” Dove asked, carefully arranging a bouquet.

“He’s our friend, not an evil overlord,” Auggie snorted. “I think he’ll live.”

Dove laughed along with the others, but a part of her still felt uneasy. While everyone was joking and having fun, she couldn’t shake the nervous pit in her stomach. She knew Liam appreciated the gifts—but would he really forgive her? Would he ever look at her the same way again?

Fay, noticing her little sister’s distracted expression, nudged her with an elbow. “You okay?” she asked quietly.

Dove hesitated before nodding. “Yeah, I just… I just want to make sure this actually means something to him, y’know?”

Fay softened. “It will.”

Dove wanted to believe that. She really did.

By the time the last batch of cookies was pulled from the oven, the kitchen was a disaster zone. Flour dusted the counters (and a good portion of their clothes), frosting stained the edges of their sleeves, and a few cookie casualties had been sacrificed in the name of taste-testing. But in the end, they had done it—dozens of warm, homemade cookies were neatly packed into a decorated tin, alongside a few handwritten cards and the carefully wrapped small gifts they had prepared.

Mio stretched, wiping a bit of stray frosting from her cheek. “Alright, so what’s the game plan? We just walk in there and dump all this on Liam’s bed?”

“No,” Fay said, rolling her eyes with a smile. “Mom and Dad are already at the hospital waiting for us, but they haven’t told him we’re coming. We want it to be a good surprise, not an ambush.”

Raymond smirked as he grabbed his keys from the counter. “So basically, we just show up with an army of baked goods and emotional support.”

“Exactly.” Fay clapped her hands together. “Now, everyone get your stuff, because we’re heading out.”

Within minutes, they were all piling into Raymond’s van, arms full of cookies, flowers, and gifts. Dove slid into her seat, hugging a small package to her chest as she listened to the others chat excitedly about how Liam would react.

Would he really be happy to see them? Would this actually help?

Raymond glanced at her through the rearview mirror, sensing her quiet worry. “Relax, Dove,” he said casually as he started the engine. “We wouldn’t be doing this if we thought he’d slam the door in our faces.”

Dove gave a small smile, trying to believe that as the van pulled out of the driveway and started toward the hospital.

As the van rumbled down the road, Dove sat quietly, lost in her thoughts. Her fingers traced the edges of the small package in her lap, anxiety still gnawing at her stomach. But just as she was about to spiral further, Augustine’s voice suddenly filled the van.

“Take my haaaand, take my whole life tooooo—”

Dove’s head snapped up, eyes widening in horror as Auggie dramatically crooned along with the CD playing through the van’s speakers.

Mio nearly choked on laughter. “Oh my god, are you seriously serenading us right now?”

Auggie grinned, unfazed. “Hey, don’t blame me! This song slaps.”

Holly groaned, shoving his shoulder. “You are such a loser.”

Dove, however, was frozen, her face heating up against her will. The song was romantic, painfully so, and now she was sitting in a van full of people teasing and laughing while Auggie belted it out like they were in the middle of a cheesy rom-com montage.

“AUGUSTINE. PLEASE.” She buried her face in her hands, groaning loudly. “Where the heck did you even learn to sing like that!?”

Augustine, clearly enjoying her embarrassment, smirked. “Oh, you didn’t know? Fay taught me. We’re in choir and theatre together at school.”

Fay, who had been scrolling through her phone, looked up and shot him a playful glare. “Excuse me? Do not drag me into this. I was just doing my civic duty as a good older sister. And also, it’s your fault Dove for not signing up when we told you to.”

Raymond chuckled as he turned the wheel. “Wait, so does this mean you’re in a musical soon?”

“Yup!” Auggie nodded proudly. “We’re doing The Phantom of the Opera next semester!”

“Wait, wait, what?” Mio gasped. “And you just tell us this now?”

“I mean… I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”

Dove, still flustered, shot him an exasperated look. “You literally just made it everyone’s problem by turning this car ride into a concert.”

Augustine only grinned wider. “Well, if you think that’s bad, just wait until opening night.”

Dove groaned, sinking lower into her seat as everyone laughed. Maybe she’d been nervous before, but now, all she could focus on was the absolute circus that was her friend group.

Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.

At the Hospital Entrance…

Raymond pulled the van smoothly into a parking space, shifting into park as the engine quieted. The laughter and teasing from the car ride still lingered in the air, but as they all unbuckled and started grabbing the cookies, flowers, and small gifts, a new kind of energy settled over them—anticipation.

Dove stepped out onto the pavement, inhaling deeply as the crisp air filled her lungs. The warm scent of freshly baked cookies clung to the inside of the van, and the contrast between that and the sterile hospital in front of them made her stomach twist. She was having fun, sure, but now that they were here, standing just steps away from Liam’s room, her nervousness crept back in.

“You good?” Fay asked quietly, nudging Dove’s arm.

Dove forced a small smile. “Yeah. Just… hoping he won’t throw these cookies at my head.”

Mio snickered, balancing a small gift bag on one arm. “I mean, if he does, at least they’re soft?”

“Not helping.”

Holly rolled her eyes, adjusting the flowers in her hands. “Relax. We all worked hard on this. And if he doesn’t appreciate it, I’ll personally smack him with a daisy.”

Raymond chuckled, already leading the way toward the entrance. “Alright, let’s not stand around forever. Mr. and Mrs. Burns are waiting for us inside.”

One by one, they stepped through the sliding glass doors, the scent of antiseptic and faint hospital food replacing the fresh air outside. Dove exhaled slowly.

Here goes nothing.

Their footsteps echoed softly against the polished hospital floors as they made their way down the hallway. The warmth of the cookies in Dove’s hands and the chatter of her friends made the setting feel a little less daunting.

As they neared Liam’s room, Mrs. Burns stepped out into the hall, her expression instantly brightening when she saw them. She opened her arms wide, hugging each of them one by one, her embrace lingering just a bit longer on Dove.

“Thank you all for coming,” she said softly, her voice carrying a mixture of relief and exhaustion. Despite the warmth in her eyes, there were dark circles beneath them—clear signs of worry and sleepless nights.

Mr. Burns stood beside her, his smile small but genuine. “He doesn’t know you’re here,” he murmured. “It’ll be a nice surprise.”

Mrs. Burns gestured toward the door, her hands clasped together as she looked at them. “Go on, he could use some cheering up.”

Dove swallowed hard, glancing at the others. They all gave her encouraging looks, and Fay gave her a small nudge forward.

Taking a deep breath, Dove adjusted her grip on the cookies and stepped toward the door, her heart pounding.

Raymond reached out and knocked gently on the door before pushing it open, revealing Liam sitting up in bed, scrolling through his phone. His leg was propped up, and his expression was neutral—until he looked up and saw them all standing there.

For a moment, there was silence. His eyes flickered with surprise as he took in the sight of his friends—Mio, Holly, Auggie, Raymond—and then landed on Dove and Fay, who stood at the front holding a plate stacked with cookies, a bouquet of fresh flowers, and a collection of colorful cards.

“What the—” Liam started, blinking at them. “What are you guys doing here?”

Mio smirked and wiggled her fingers. “Surprise, nerd.”

Holly elbowed her. “We thought you could use a little pick-me-up,” she said, nodding at the cookies.

“Homemade,” Fay added, setting the plate down on the rolling table beside him. “Your favorites.”

Liam stared at the cookies for a moment before glancing back at them, something unreadable flickering across his face. “You guys didn’t have to do this,” he muttered, though there was no real protest in his voice.

Dove finally found her voice, gripping the flowers a little tighter. “We wanted to,” she said softly. “You deserve it.”

Augustine stepped forward, placing one of the handmade cards on Liam’s lap. “Also, we figured you’d be bored out of your mind, so… this is our way of making sure you don’t forget we exist.”

Liam picked up the card, running his fingers over the slightly uneven lettering on the front. A small, barely-there smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Raymond clapped his hands together. “Well, don’t just sit there, dude. Try a cookie.”

Liam let out a small, exasperated sigh but reached for one anyway. As he took a bite, a wave of relief washed over Dove when his expression softened.

“Okay,” he admitted, chewing slowly. “These are actually really good.”

The group let out a collective cheer, and just like that, the tension in the room melted away.

Dove barely had time to react before Liam suddenly pulled her into a hug, his arms wrapping tightly around her.

For a moment, she froze, her heart hammering in her chest. Then, she felt his shoulders start to shake.

“I forgive you,” Liam choked out, his voice thick with emotion. “I-I’m sorry it took me so long to say it, but… I love you, Dove. It wasn’t right to blame you for anything, you’re still my little sister; I shouldn’t have ever said those things. I don’t deserve you at all.”

Dove’s vision blurred with tears as she slowly hugged him back, her grip tightening as if afraid to let go. “I-I love you too,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

The room fell silent except for the soft sounds of Liam’s quiet sobs. No one dared to interrupt.

Fay sniffled, rubbing her eyes. “Man, you’re gonna make us all cry,” she muttered with a wobbly smile.

Augustine, who had been bouncing on his heels, immediately threw himself into the hug, nearly knocking Dove off balance. “Group hug!” he declared.

Holly groaned but didn’t hesitate to join in, wrapping an arm around the tangled mess of siblings.

Raymond sighed dramatically. “Guess we’re doing this,” he said before stepping in, dragging Mio along with him.

Mio grumbled about personal space but still hugged Liam’s arm tightly, her usual teasing smirk replaced with something softer.

Liam let out a watery laugh, wiping at his face as they all squeezed around him. “You guys are ridiculous,” he mumbled, voice cracking.

Dove smiled through her tears. “Yeah, well… you’re stuck with us.”

And for the first time in what felt like forever, Liam didn’t seem to mind.

Chapter 8: Liam’s Progress

A few days had passed since Liam and Dove had made up, and things finally felt lighter. The guilt that had once weighed on Dove’s chest was starting to fade, replaced with the warmth of knowing that, despite everything, they were still a family.

Liam was still in the hospital, but his recovery was progressing. He had started physical therapy, working with his doctors to adjust to his prosthetics, and though it was tough, he was determined.

Late one evening, Fay’s phone buzzed with a message.

Liam: PT went okay today. They’re saying I’m improving, so that’s something.

Fay: That’s awesome! Told you you’d get the hang of it. How are you feeling?

There was a long pause before another message appeared.

Liam: Tired. Sore. But that’s not what’s bothering me.

Fay: What do you mean?

Liam: There’s something weird about the hospital at night…

Fay frowned at her screen.

Fay: Define “weird.”

Another long pause. Then, finally:

Liam: I keep hearing things. Footsteps in the hall when no one’s supposed to be there. Shadows where there shouldn’t be any. Even some of the nurses look… uneasy. Like they know something but won’t talk about it. I even have nightmares about the cemetery and graveyard.

Fay sat up straighter, suddenly more awake.

Fay: You’re messing with me, right?

Liam: Wish I was.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. She could already hear Mio’s excited voice in her head—“That’s it, we’re investigating.”

But before she could reply, another message came through.

Liam: I’ll keep an eye out. Just… be ready. In case I find something I shouldn’t.

Fay swallowed hard.

Something told her this wasn’t over.

Not by a long shot.

[The End… For Now]