My Brother's Keeper

From the time I was small, my mother told me I was my little brother's second mother. Hence, from age four, every mistake Danny Hartley made became mine to bear. When Danny dirtied the floor, I scrubbed it clean with a rag, inch by inch. When Danny stole, I wrote the apology letters. Then, I turned seven, and Danny accidentally hurt the convenience store owner's son. When the heavyset Hugo Osborn came to our door, Danny pointed at me without hesitation. "Sienna did it!" Mom did not hesitate either. She shoved me toward him. "Mr. Osborn, I didn't raise her right. That's on me. Take my daughter. Beat her, scold her, do whatever you want." What she had not known was that once Mr. Osborn took me away, I would never come back. Chapter 1 "You hurt my son, so I'm going to beat you to death!" The heavyset Mr. Osborn grabbed me and snarled at Danny, who stood frozen in terror. "I'll make sure you learn what happens when you go around hitting people at your age!" He yanked me forward so hard that I stumbled. I looked at Mom, desperate for help. I wanted her to say something—anything. Just once. However, she would not even look at me. She just kept bowing and nodding at him. None of this made sense. Mom had already paid the medical bills for Mr. Osborn's. She had even given him 200 dollars to buy candy with. Mr. Osborn said he had forgiven Danny, so why was I still being punished? A strange sensation on my arm snapped me back. Mr. Osborn was stroking my skin with his thumb. When I looked up, I saw the odd smile on his face. I tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong. "No! You can't take her!" Danny rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Mom's legs. Tears poured down his cheeks. "A child who has done something wrong needs to face the consequences!" Something flickered across Mom's face, though I could not quite place it. Then, she frowned, her expression turning severe. Danny only cried harder. He dropped to his knees and started slamming his forehead against the floor. "It was me! I hit your son, not Sienna! Please, just let her go!" The sight jolted me into action. I fought against Mr. Osborn's grip, trying desperately to reach Mom. She pulled Danny to his feet and stepped back. "Whatever you want to do, she's yours to handle." When she turned away, the truth finally hit me. She was really leaving me behind. I watched them walk farther and farther down the street. Panic clawed at my throat. I wanted to scream after them. Before I could make a sound, Mr. Osborn's hand clamped over my mouth. He dragged me into the storage room behind his shop. Inside, his expression softened. He offered me candy and said he would be good to me, that I did not need to be scared. I was not hungry, but I forced the candy down. All I wanted was to leave. Unfamiliar touches ran over me, freezing my whole body, and an inexplicable panic welled up in my heart. I struggled to reach the warehouse door, but suddenly he pinned me down violently, his strength so great that I could not move. His movements grew rough and menacing. A sharp, stabbing pain shot through me, and I wanted to scream, but he clamped his hand tightly over my mouth, his eyes darting about in panic, as if terrified of being seen. “Be good. If you listen to Uncle quietly, I’ll take you back to your mom.” I stopped trying to pull away. It hurt so badly. I wanted my mom. When I stopped struggling, the his smile widened. “That’s right. Only good, obedient children get to see Mom!” I finally couldn’t take it and struggled to run away, only to be dragged back again and again. After what felt like an eternity, I lay there motionless, staring blankly. Only then did the boss say softly in my ear, looking satisfied. “That’s my girl. I’ll go get you something nice to eat.” He left humming under his breath. Twenty minutes later, he threw two pieces of bread and a water bottle through the doorway. "Stay here and wait for your mom. If you tell anyone about this, you're dead. Understand?" I forced myself upright. The threat in his eyes made my stomach twist. I nodded quickly. I had seen that look before. Mom used it on me all the time. Whenever I refused to take Danny's punishments or cover for his mistakes, she would stare at me just like that. Then, she would threaten to give me away to someone else, and I would always give in. Mr. Osborn did not wait for an answer. He just walked out and shut the door. I reached out to stop him. However, when I looked down, my hand had turned transparent. Chapter 2 What was happening? Before I could think it through, I realized something else. The pain was gone. I ran toward the storage room door, desperate to get out. However, I was moving too fast to stop. I was about to crash straight into it. I squeezed my eyes shut, but the impact never came. Instead, I found myself standing outside. Could I really fly now? It all made sense now. On TV, the superheroes always had to suffer first before they learned their powers. Mr. Osborn must have been teaching me magic! Here I thought he was a bad person. Excitement and relief flooded through me. I drifted home, following the route from memory. I had to tell Mom the good news! Maybe I could even show off a little in front of Danny. Still, something was wrong. The people on the street did not seem to see me. When I accidentally bumped into someone, I would pass straight through them. What was going on? My thoughts felt scrambled, but the need to get home only grew stronger. I would figure it out once I got there. What were Mom and Dad doing right now? Was Danny crying again? Something bitter twisted in my chest. Mom had not meant to abandon me. She was probably just punishing me like she always did. Wind rushed past my ears. In less than five minutes after learning magic, I was already standing at the front door. I reached for the handle, but my hand went straight through. I stifled a laugh. I slipped through the door, planning to surprise Mom. She scared me all the time. Now, it was my turn. Mom stood with her back to me, staring blankly at the pot on the stove. There was no trace of a smile on her face. I suddenly remembered. Today was my birthday! Her eyes looked a little red. I sighed like a grown-up. She was probably regretting handing me over to Mr. Osborn. I took a deep breath. "It's okay, Mom. I'm not mad. I know you just wanted Danny to behave. I'll teach him better from now on." She did not respond. I called out again, more uncertain this time. She still did not turn around. It was like she had not heard me at all. This had happened before when I ran home after taking punishment for Danny. She would ignore me like this until she stopped being angry. Then, her expression would soften. She was probably still upset. I stepped back, tugging anxiously at the hem of my shirt. I wanted to say something else, but I did not know what. I should find Danny instead. He relied on me so much. Watching me get taken away must have scared him. I forced a smile back onto my face and turned to go. Then, I walked straight through another person. Chapter 3 At some point, the door opened. Dad was home! My smile grew wider. It had been so long since I had seen him. He must have come back to celebrate my birthday! Sure enough, I spotted a beautiful doll in his hand. Mom did not rush to greet him like she usually did. She just sat there, barely interested. It was only when Dad walked over that she finally spoke, her voice hoarse. "Why are you back?" "It's Sienna's birthday, isn't it? I got a few days off, so I came home to spend time with you all. Figured I'd celebrate with her. Where is she, anyway?" Dad looked around with a smile. "Dad, I'm right here!" I drifted toward him, grinning. However, he did not seem to see me either. He walked straight through me and set the doll on the table. Before Mom could answer, Danny came running out in tears. "Dad, you have to bring her back! Mr. Osborn took her away. Mom said she doesn't want her anymore!" Dad froze. He turned to Mom, his expression full of disbelief. "What is he talking about? You did it again!" Anger flickered in his eyes. Mom frowned and pulled him into the bedroom. Anxiety twisted inside me. I did not want them fighting because of me. I hurried after them, slipping through the door with my new ability. Dad stood with his hands on his hips, fury written all over his face. "I've told you a million times. Sienna is Sienna, and Danny is Danny. Why can't you get that through your head? If Danny does something wrong, why does Sienna have to take the fall? Are you even her mother?" Mom looked hurt under his shouting. She lowered her head, her eyes turning red. "I'm doing this for both of them! You know how much your mother spoils him. She's turned him into a brat who isn't afraid of anything! "The only way I can discipline him is by using Sienna… Danny won't stop getting into fights. I worked it out with Mr. Osborn ahead of time. It's all an act to scare Danny. Sienna is only supposed to stay there for a couple of days. He won't actually do anything to our girl." Relief washed over me. I knew Mom would never really abandon me. It was just like before, just a way to scare Danny. What had happened earlier had been painful, but I forgave her now. Dad clenched his fists at her words. He stared at Mom, his whole body trembling. "Did you ever stop to think about how terrified Sienna must have been?" His words made my nose sting. I was terrified, but I was home now. I was not scared anymore. I could be with Dad, Mom, and Danny again. "Those two are so close. I promise this is the last time. Once Danny breaks this last bad habit, I'll make everything up to Sienna. I'll make up for all these years." Mom's voice cracked as she spoke. She wiped at her tears, looking miserable. "Do you have any idea how much I've sacrificed for your family all these years?" Watching Mom cry made me feel awful too. I looked down, a wave of sadness washing over me. Maybe I should not have come back. I turned to leave. Then, I heard Dad's choked voice. "But today is Sienna's birthday..." Silence fell. I stood frozen. Neither of them said another word. The air felt heavy. "No. I can't do this." Mom stood up abruptly. "I'm going to bring Sienna back right now!" Dad nodded at her words. As they headed for the door, I rushed forward. "Mom, Dad, I'm already home! I'm right here!" Chapter 4 However, Mom and Dad walked right past me and out the door. When they emerged, Danny rushed forward and threw his arms around Dad's legs. "Dad, please! Go bring Sienna back! Please! I swear I'll never get into another fight again!" Tears streamed down his face. I floated in front of him and made a silly face, trying to make him laugh. "Stop crying, dummy! We got tricked! I didn't really get sent away." He acted like he could not see me and as though he did not hear a word I said. Dad pulled him to his feet, his expression stern. "This is the last time your sister pays for your mistakes. Starting today, whatever mistake you make, you deal with the consequences yourself. All these years, Sienna's been taking the blame for you. You'd better treat her right from now on. Understood?" Danny nodded frantically and promised right away, "I will, Dad! Just please bring her back. That man looked really scary." When Dad nodded, Danny finally relaxed. "Alright. Let's go get your sister now. It's her birthday today." A smile finally returned to Dad's face. Warmth spread through my chest at his words. They really did love me. Mrs. Fletcher next door was wrong when she said Mom only loved Danny. She was completely wrong! Next time I saw her, I would tell her exactly that. "Danny, we're going to bring your sister home now." I blinked in confusion. I was already home. I waved my hands frantically and tried to grab their arms. "I'm right here!" Mom suddenly shivered and looked around. "Why does it feel so cold all of a sudden? Especially on my arm." Dad nodded. "The weather's probably changing. We need to hurry and get Sienna back." Before leaving, Dad shut the window. "That should make it warmer. Sienna hates the cold." He did not notice I was standing right in front of him. He walked straight through my body. That was when it hit me. Why could they not touch me or see me? This was just like what happened on TV… A violent shudder ran through me. This was what happened after people died. The thought left me frozen in place. Chapter 5 I did not even notice when Mom, Dad, and Danny left. By the time I snapped out of it, I heard the car engine starting outside. I rushed over and slipped into the vehicle. In the back seat, Danny was still sniffling. "What if Mr. Osborn's being mean to her? What if he hits her..." His voice broke. Mom and Dad went rigid. "That won't happen! I've talked to him. He wouldn't do that to Sienna!" Mom spoke almost reflexively, but even as she said it, her body would not stop shaking. Dad said nothing, but he pressed harder on the gas. I wanted to tell them Mr. Osborn had not hit me. He had actually helped me learn magic... Oh. Wait. That was wrong. I could fly because I was dead. A tangled mess of emotions swallowed me whole. I looked down, sadness settling over me. Now that I was dead, did that mean I would never eat Mom's cooking again? Would I never play with Danny again? Would I never get to cuddle with Dad again? It hurt so much. The car sped through the streets until it stopped in front of Mr. Osborn's shop. However, when they arrived, Danny seemed scared. He clutched the hem of his shirt, biting his lip. "Mom, will Sienna be mad at me? If I hadn't lied, Mr. Osborn wouldn't have taken her." Tears filled his eyes. My chest ached at the sight. I wanted to tell him I was not mad, but I could not even crouch down anymore. My hand just passed through his body. I moved my hand over his head as if I could still comfort him. Mom did not answer. She twisted her hands together, staring hard at the shop door. Dad stepped forward and knocked. After a moment, Mr. Osborn opened the door while reeking of alcohol. When he saw who was standing there, his face went pale. "Why... Why are you here?" He sobered up instantly. His whole body trembled as he stammered. He looked at Mom, guilt flickering in his eyes. "Didn't you say you'd come get her in two days?" Seeing his reaction, Mom and Dad exchanged a glance and stepped closer. "Where's our daughter?" Mr. Osborn swallowed hard and forced a nervous laugh. "I've sent her to my place. My wife's watching her. Don't worry, she's fine. Nothing happened..." "Sienna!" A bloodcurdling scream suddenly erupted from the storage room. Danny had snuck in while Mr. Osborn was distracted. At the sound, Mom's and Dad's eyes went wide. They shoved Mr. Osborn aside and rushed inside. When they saw what was in front of them, they froze.