The paramedics lifted Kaelion carefully and placed him on the stretcher. The moment his body moved, a new wave of pain went through his chest and back.
— ah…
— Slowly… slowly… you're going to be okay.
They moved quickly toward the ambulance. Kaelion was still crying.
— My mom… my mom is back there…
One of the paramedics climbed in and closed the doors. The heavy sound of metal shutting echoed inside. The sirens started up again.
The paramedic pressed a gauze pad gently against the side of the boy's head.
— You hit your head, champ.
— My mom…
— What's your name?
— Kaelion… Kaelion Nytherion.
— Okay, Kaelion. I'm Mark. We're going to take care of you.
But Kaelion kept staring at the rear doors. As if he could still see the car.
— My mom is hurt… is she going to be okay?
Mark was quiet for a second. He exchanged a quick look with his partner. Then turned back to Kaelion — but didn't answer the question.
— Let's take care of you first, okay?
— I want my mom… I want my mom…
Mark pulled a blanket over the boy.
— It's okay… you're safe now.
The ambulance took fast turns through the streets of Valeris. Kaelion blinked several times. His head still hurt. The ringing in his ears seemed to grow more distant. His vision started to feel heavy.
— Hey, Kaelion… stay with me, okay?
— My mom…
The words came out almost as a whisper. Then everything went dark.
—
At Lira's school, students were starting to come out of their classrooms. Lira Nytherion walked down the hallway with her backpack on. She glanced at the clock. Her parents usually arrived around this time. And Kaelion always came with them.
She smiled faintly thinking about her brother. Kael always had something new to tell.
Lira walked out through the gate and waited. A few minutes passed. Other parents' cars arrived. Students left. But the Nytherion car didn't come.
That was when a school staff member appeared beside her.
— Lira Nytherion?
— Yes?
— Could you come with me for a moment?
— Did something happen?
He hesitated.
— We just need to speak with you in the office.
A few minutes later, Lira was sitting in the principal's office. The principal hung up the phone. The silence in the room felt heavy.
— There's been a car accident involving your parents.
— What?
— Your brother is being taken to the hospital right now.
— Kael? Is he okay?
— He's alive — the principal said quickly. — But we need to get you to the hospital.
Lira's world seemed to shrink in an instant. Everything sounded distant and senseless at the same time.
Minutes later she was in a school car. She held her backpack tight.
— Please… — she whispered. — Please…
—
At Valeris Central Hospital, white lights lit the quiet hallway. Lira sat in a chair, gripping her own hands.
A doctor had spoken to her a short while before. The words still echoed in her head.
Your parents didn't survive.
— My brother… — she said quietly. — I want to see my brother.
A nurse took her to a room. Kaelion was lying in a hospital bed. A small bandage wrapped around his head. He was unconscious.
Lira walked over slowly. She sat beside the bed. And took his hand.
— Kael…
— I'm here… it's okay… I'm here…
Hours passed. The sky outside had gone dark. Lira heard hurried footsteps in the hallway — a rhythm she recognized before she even looked at the door.
Mariel Nytherion came into the room. Their grandmother. Her face pale. Her eyes red. She looked first at Kaelion. Then at Lira.
Then Lira stood and ran to hold her.
— Grandma…
— I know… I know… I'm here now.
Inside that quiet room… the only family Kaelion still had… was together. Even though he didn't know it yet.
Then… Kaelion's fingers moved.
— Kael?
His eyes began to open slowly. The light seemed too bright. He blinked several times. His eyes finally focused. First on the ceiling. Then on the room. Then he turned his head. And saw Lira.
— …Lira?
— I'm here.
Kaelion blinked. The memory came back in pieces. The car. The sound. The metal.
— …Mom?
Lira's heart tightened. She didn't answer.
— Where… where's Dad?
— Kael…
— They were in the car… they were right there… where's Mom?
The silence in the room grew heavy. Mariel rose slowly and moved toward the bed.
— Grandma…?
The woman took a slow breath. She held his hand carefully.
— Kaelion…
— Your parents… they're not coming back.
For a few seconds… Kaelion just looked at her. As if he hadn't understood. Then the tears began to fall.
— …no… no…
— I called them… I was calling them…
Lira leaned in and held her brother carefully. The two of them cried together.
And on that quiet night in the hospital… the Nytherion family lost more than just two people. They lost the life they had before.