Chocolate 4; Pistachio 27
Author: Marina
Story: Shifts universe (before, during, and after Tremors)
Challenge: Chocolate 4 (frustration), Pistachio 27 (pet peeve)
Topping: Whipped Cream (Eleazar is three in the first section and about six in the second), Cherry (present tense)
Word Count: 450 (5-part pocky chain)
Rating: PG
Summary: Five times Eleazar agreed to take care of his little sister.
Notes: Does what it says on the tin. I am going to try to steer away from the sad stuff for a while after this.
“This is your new baby sister, Oriana,” his mother says, lowering the bundle so he can see what’s inside it. The littlest face he has ever seen peeks out, and it has large brown eyes that blink at him as though they’re wondering if he’s safe or not.
He looks at his mother, questioningly. “I’m a big brother?” He has heard those words from his parents before, but the tiny intruder has made them real.
“Yes, you are, and we’re going to need you to help us take care of her.”
Straightening, he smiles at the bundle. “I will!”
***
Both his parents are irritated, and his father keeps waving the charred boat around as if that will somehow make Eleazar understand that better. “You can’t do this, Elie,” he says, over and over. “You cannot play with fire around your sister. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
“Ori’s different, like you,” his mother adds, “and she looks up to you. You need to be the example and take care of her.”
“I will,” he says, grumpily, just to get them to stop talking.
***
He doesn’t want to believe it, but the doctors have nothing hopeful to say. “He only has a week, maybe a little longer,” they tell him. “Make the most of it.”
The hardest part is the very end. Eleazar sits with the shadow of the man who raised him, while his sister sobs in the hallway, unable to watch. “You’re head of the family now,” his father says. “Take care of her, for me.”
Over the years, he has grown to hate those words, but he’ll promise just about anything to make this easier. “I will.”
***
Aunt Claudia explains what has happened, and for a moment, Eleazar thinks that he has never hated Oriana more than he does now. Then he remembers the promise he made to his father, as well as the expression on his aunt’s face when she first heard that her daughter was dead. He thinks quickly. “Don’t do anything until I get back. I’m coming home now.”
“You’ll take care of it?” she asks, tearfully.
“I will, I promise.”
***
When Isabelle gestures him aside, he feels a pit form in his stomach, but he follows her anyway. “I’ll be honest, Eleazar,” she says. “We could really use both of you. Before I put you to work, though, I want you to take some time to recover from this.” She glances behind her at the hospital room they just left. “You may not need it, but she does. Just take care of her for a while. I’ll be in touch.”
He knows she’s right, so he simply nods. “I will.”
Story: Shifts universe (before, during, and after Tremors)
Challenge: Chocolate 4 (frustration), Pistachio 27 (pet peeve)
Topping: Whipped Cream (Eleazar is three in the first section and about six in the second), Cherry (present tense)
Word Count: 450 (5-part pocky chain)
Rating: PG
Summary: Five times Eleazar agreed to take care of his little sister.
Notes: Does what it says on the tin. I am going to try to steer away from the sad stuff for a while after this.
“This is your new baby sister, Oriana,” his mother says, lowering the bundle so he can see what’s inside it. The littlest face he has ever seen peeks out, and it has large brown eyes that blink at him as though they’re wondering if he’s safe or not.
He looks at his mother, questioningly. “I’m a big brother?” He has heard those words from his parents before, but the tiny intruder has made them real.
“Yes, you are, and we’re going to need you to help us take care of her.”
Straightening, he smiles at the bundle. “I will!”
***
Both his parents are irritated, and his father keeps waving the charred boat around as if that will somehow make Eleazar understand that better. “You can’t do this, Elie,” he says, over and over. “You cannot play with fire around your sister. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
“Ori’s different, like you,” his mother adds, “and she looks up to you. You need to be the example and take care of her.”
“I will,” he says, grumpily, just to get them to stop talking.
***
He doesn’t want to believe it, but the doctors have nothing hopeful to say. “He only has a week, maybe a little longer,” they tell him. “Make the most of it.”
The hardest part is the very end. Eleazar sits with the shadow of the man who raised him, while his sister sobs in the hallway, unable to watch. “You’re head of the family now,” his father says. “Take care of her, for me.”
Over the years, he has grown to hate those words, but he’ll promise just about anything to make this easier. “I will.”
***
Aunt Claudia explains what has happened, and for a moment, Eleazar thinks that he has never hated Oriana more than he does now. Then he remembers the promise he made to his father, as well as the expression on his aunt’s face when she first heard that her daughter was dead. He thinks quickly. “Don’t do anything until I get back. I’m coming home now.”
“You’ll take care of it?” she asks, tearfully.
“I will, I promise.”
***
When Isabelle gestures him aside, he feels a pit form in his stomach, but he follows her anyway. “I’ll be honest, Eleazar,” she says. “We could really use both of you. Before I put you to work, though, I want you to take some time to recover from this.” She glances behind her at the hospital room they just left. “You may not need it, but she does. Just take care of her for a while. I’ll be in touch.”
He knows she’s right, so he simply nods. “I will.”