the boy who spoke with death

"C-can you… can you hear… can you hear me?" I opened my eyes slowly. I saw a doctor standing in front of me. I wasn't able to move, and I couldn't speak either. "Don't worry," the doctor said gently. "You're safe." I didn't understand why he was saying that. I tried to speak, but no words came out. I tried harder, forcing my throat to move. Finally, I managed to ask him where I was. "Don't worry," he repeated. "We saved you." That was when my memories started coming back. I was with my parents. We were going on a trip after a very long time. Mom and Dad were happy—really happy. They told me they had good news to share. When I asked what it was, they smiled and said, "You're going to be a big brother." I froze for a second… then smiled wider than I ever had. They told me I would have to take care of the baby. I told them I would be the best big brother in the world. My parents smiled at each other. Then Dad said, "Hurry up. We're going to celebrate." He started the car. We all got in and left the house. I asked him where we were going. Dad smiled. "That's a secret." He looked at Mom, and they both laughed. I complained, asking why they were always like this. They laughed even more and told me to stop crying like that, or my little sibling would copy me. Then— Bright headlights flashed in front of us. I saw Dad suddenly turn the steering wheel. He tried to hold both Mom and me at the same time. The truck hit us. Everything shook. I heard Dad calling my name. "Erebos… are you okay? Can you hear me?" I couldn't see Mom. I asked Dad where she was. He tried to stay calm and told me not to worry, that Mom was safe and help would come soon. But when I looked down, I saw Dad's legs. Both of them were crushed. "Dad…" I cried. "Where is Mom? What happened to you?" He stayed calm somehow. He told me everything would be fine and that I had to leave the car. I kept crying, refusing to move. Then everything went dark. I woke up hearing a doctor say, "At least we were able to save him." I didn't understand. I fell asleep again. When I woke up, I started screaming. "Where am I? Why am I here? Where are Mom and Dad? I was with my parents! We were going on a family trip!" "Mom! Dad! Where are you?!" The doctor tried to calm me down, but I wasn't listening. He injected something into my arm, and I fell asleep again. Later, the doctor woke me up and asked if I was feeling better. "It hurts," I told him. "Don't worry," he said. "Everything is going to be fine." I asked him again where my parents were. He smiled and told me not to worry, that they were also in the hospital and had asked him to take care of me. When I asked more about them, his voice became calm and serious. "First, take care of yourself," he said.I looked at him and said, "I want to see my parents. Just once." I started crying, but the doctor calmed me down and said, "Your parents are resting. They were heavily injured, and to recover faster, they need rest. Please don't disturb them. Take care of yourself." He looked at me gently. "You're a big man now, so don't cry. If you need anything, let me know, or tell the nurse. They'll take care of you." After saying that, he left. I tried to sleep, but then a voice echoed in the room. He lied. I opened my eyes and looked around. The room was empty. I thought I was just hearing things and ignored it. But the voice echoed again. They won't come back. I opened my eyes wide and whispered, "Who are you? Who won't come back?" The voice answered calmly. Your parents. They are dead. The doctor lied to you. I broke down. My heart shattered. I tried to get up to go to the doctor and ask him everything, but I fell from the bed. "Doctor!" I screamed. "Where are you?!" As soon as I screamed, someone opened the door. It was a nurse. She looked worried. "What happened? How did this happen?" she asked. "Please… call the doctor," I cried. She calmly held me and said, "Don't worry. Tell me what happened. I'm here with you." "Please call the doctor," I begged again. "Yes," she said softly. "I'll call him." She helped me back onto the bed. As she turned to leave, the doctor came in. "Are you in pain?" he asked. "Did something happen?" I looked at him and asked, "Doctor… are my parents really okay?" He answered calmly, "Yes. They are fine. You will see them soon." I couldn't hold it anymore. "Are you really telling me the truth?" I asked. "Are they fine? I want to see them. I know something happened. Please tell me, doctor. Please." The doctor stayed silent for a moment. Then he said quietly, "I'm sorry. I tried to save them… but I couldn't." "I'm sorry," he repeated. I froze. My mind went blank. Why did this happen? We were so happy. I was going to be a big brother.