Traumatic Memory(JM) Mikael felt a harsh shove from the back and he stumbled forward to the other side of the road. He heard a loud screech coming from a car behind him and he turned around. There, a few feet in front of him, was his older brother lying on the ground covered in blood.

A few months later…

“Mikael! We’re here!” shouted Mikael’s mother, Lauren, as she was standing next to a handsome man outside of their new house. A young, black-haired, fourteen year old boy opened the car door and stepped outside while carrying his bag. He looked at the two-story house with a blank impression. Then, he looked at the sky which was getting dark.

“Mikael, come here and meet your new dad.” said his mother. Mikael walked over to where his mom was and looked at the man who was standing next to her. He was tall, handsome and looked so father-like. The man patted Mikael’s head.
“So, you must be Mikael. Nice to meet you! I hope we’ll get along well as a family.” said Mikael’s step-father, Bob, with a smile. “I have a son that is a few years older than you. He’s taking a shower right now.”

“Whatever.” said Mikael dismissively as he stared at the ground.

“Mikael!” scolded his mother.

Bob smiled and said, “It’s okay, Lauren. I think it will take some time for him to accept me as his new dad.” He looked at Mikael and said, “I’ll show you to your new room.” Mikael and his mother walked into the house and went upstairs. Bob walked to the room that had a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign. “Here’s your new room, Mikael. You’ll be sharing a room with Lucas, my son, because your room has not been prepared yet. Sorry about that, but I’m sure you guys will be fine together.”

As his step-dad and his mother went downstairs to get boxes out of the car and also to prepare dinner, he went into his new bedroom and walked over to an empty bed that was across from another bed with a black bed sheet covering. He put his heavy bag on the ground next to his bed and plopped down on the bed. He pulled out a photograph from his bag. It showed of a teenage boy around the age of seventeen.

He looked at it and thought, ‘Aidan....I miss you. This house makes me feel so lonely.’

“You must be my new brother.” said an unfamiliar voice.

“What?” said Mikael, surprised. There, standing near the door, was an older teenage boy who looked about the age of seventeen or eighteen. He looked like he just had a shower because of his wet, dark, brown hair. “Who are you?”

“Hmm....you don’t know who I am? Didn’t my father say that we would be sharing a room together?” said the older teen questioningly. He looked at Mikael and thought, ‘He looks so sad.’ He smiled and said, “Yo! My name’s Lucas and I never had a younger brother before.”

Mikael looked at his step-brother and coldly said, “Just because my mother married your father, it doesn’t mean I accept you as my brother.” He stood up and when he was about to walked towards the door, he tripped over his bag that was on the floor.

“Oi, are you alright?” asked Lucas as he helped Mikael up but was harshly pushed away by Mikael.

“Don’t touch me! I’m fine.” said Mikael so coldly. He quickly ran out of the door and into the bathroom. ‘I will never accept a new brother. Oh, how I wish you’re still alive, Aidan.’ thought Mikael as a tear fell out of the corner of his eye.

“Hey, Mikael! Dinner’s ready.” said Lucas as he stood next to the bathroom door. He looked at Mikael as tears began to well up in his eyes. Mikael quickly brushed his tears away with his arm and rushed out of the bathroom. ‘Was he.... just crying?’ thought Lucas as Mikael disappeared out of his sight.

Dinner was an uncomfortable one for Mikael. He and Lucas didn’t talk at all during dinner but their parents talked a lot. After dinner was finished, Mikael went back to his bedroom. He lied down on his bed and pulled the quilt up to his chin. As Lucas went into the room, Mikael turned to the left, where his back was turned away from Lucas.

“Hey, were you crying in the bathroom?” asked Lucas as he lied down on his bed.
“That’s none of your business.” said Mikael coldly. The room was silent and in less than twenty-five minutes, Lucas and Mikael were both fast asleep.

The next day came and since there was six more days until school starts, Mikael was bored. He was reading a book that his older brother, Aidan, gave him for his 13th birthday on top of his bed. He read it five times already but he felt like reading it again. As he turned the page with his finger, he got cut.

“Oh man! A paper cut.” said Mikael as he put the book down and went into the bathroom to wash it off. As he was about to turn on the taps, he looked at his cut and red blood was coming out it. Then, suddenly, his head began to hurt and he collapsed.

‘W-what is this? Why...why is my head hurting so much! Images...painful images are flowing into my head. Argh! My head’s in pain! Somebody...someone...HELP ME!!!’

“Mikael! Mikael! Wake up! Mikael!!!” shouted Lucas as he was sitting next to Mikael on his bed. Mikael’s head was tossing from side when he suddenly woke up. “Mikael, you’re awa-” said Lucas as he suddenly stopped. Mikael’s hands were trembling and his eyes looked like he’d just seen something frightening. Lucas put his hand on Mikael’s and in a comforting voice, he said, “It’s okay, it's okay. I’m right here, so don’t be scared.” As soon as he said that, Mikael’s hands stopped trembling and he went to sleep.

Afternoon came and Mikael woke up. ‘What happened? I remember I was in the bathroom and then...’ thought Mikael as he tried to remember of what happened next, but his mind was blank. He got up and went into the bathroom to wash his face. After that, he realized that his finger with the paper cut was bandaged. ‘I don’t remember putting a bandage on my finger...’

“You’re awake.” said a voice coming from behind him. Mikael turned around and saw Lucas standing near the door. “If you’re wondering how that bandage got on your finger, it was me that did it.”

“I never asked for your help.” said Mikael as he walked passed Lucas.
“I found you on the bathroom floor and carried you into your bed. Then, you started to toss and turn. Are you okay?” asked Lucas worriedly.

Mikael stopped and turned around. He said, “Look, you don’t have to worry about me. We don’t know each other very well, so worrying about me, is a total waste of time.”

Lucas looked at him and said, “Why can’t I worry about you? We’re brothers, after all.”

“No we’re not! I only have one brother and that’s-” said Mikael when he suddenly stopped.

“And that’s what?” asked Lucas as he walked towards Mikael.

“No. Never mind.” said Mikael and he started to walk off when Lucas grabbed his arm.

“Tell me.” said Lucas. Mikael quickly pulled his arm out of his grips and ran downstairs. “Hey, where are you going?” asked Lucas as he ran after him. Mikael ran out of the front door and Lucas was right behind him.

“I don’t need to tell you anything. So, buzz off!” said Mikael as he ran onto the driveway, not knowing that there was a car coming towards him.

“MIKAEL, WATCH OUT!!!” shouted Lucas as he pushed Mikael out of the way. The car tried to stop, but unfortunately, it was a bit too late. Lucas got hit by the car and was pushed back onto the ground. Mikael turned around and saw Lucas lying on the floor. He rushed over to him.

“L-Lucas, a-are you a-alright?” asked Mikael in a trembling voice. Mikael’s hands were shaking as he felt something wet on his hands. He looked at it and blood was on his hands. Then, he remembered something about Aidan.

(FLASHBACK)
“Ai-d-dan?” said Mikael with wide eyes. “AIDAN!” As Mikael rushed to his brother’s side, he caught a glimpse of the driver’s face. The car suddenly moved back and the driver quickly drove around the body on the ground and the car picked up the speed. Mikael was left alone with his older brother and as he put his brother’s head on his lap, he saw dark, red blood covering his hands. He looked at them and his bloody hands began to tremble. Then, he fainted of shock.
(END OF FLASHBACK)

Mikael was sitting beside Lucas in the hospital room. He was holding Lucas’ hand and his head was down. Suddenly, he heard a voice.

“Mikael?” said Lucas as he opened his eyes.

“Lucas!” shouted Mikael as he flung his arms around his neck. Tears fell down his face and he said in a teary voice, “I-I’m sorry. P-Please forgive me.”

“Why are you apologising? It wasn’t your fault.” said Lucas in a sweet voice. Mikael cried and more tears came out. Lucas patted him on the head and said, “Shh...don’t cry. I’m alright.”

Mikael pulled away from him and sat down on the chair next to him. “I had a brother. He’s name was Aidan and he was around the same age as you. He was a very nice and loving brother. He cared for me a lot, but one day, something tragic happened. I wasn’t looking at where I was going and before I knew it, I was on the road with a car coming straight at me. My brother, Aidan, he......saved my life and because of that...he died.” After saying that, he cried even harder and Lucas felt the sadness in his heart.

He leaned forward and hugged Mikael. “I was in a big shock back then, so I lost my memory of that tragic accident. But, now, I remember it.” said Mikael. He clutched onto Lucas’ shirt and said with tears falling down, “I th-thought you were going to die just l-like my brother.”

“I’m not going to die so easily.” said Lucas with his arms around Mikael. “I might not be able to take the place of your brother, but please...let me care for you. You don’t have to accept me just yet, but I want you to know that I love you. So, let’s be brothers from now on, okay?” said Lucas in a sweet voice.
“Okay...” said Mikael.

A few days passed and Lucas was discharged from hospital. Ever since that day, Mikael and Lucas have been getting along very well. As the first day of school starts, Mikael looked up at the clear, blue skies.

“Aidan, my new house doesn’t feel so lonely anymore. I have a step-brother that cares for me and loves me and...I don’t want to lose him.” said Mikael with a smile. As he turned away, he felt that his brother just gave him a warm smile from heaven.

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