To help clarify my plan, it’s best to understand the layout of my home. Exiting through the front door, the small garden lies to the right, with the creek’s trail just beyond. Straight ahead, a path splits in two directions: the right leads to the village, while the left goes to Dad’s lumberyard. To the left of the house, is the drying rack and Elaine and Arthur’s current positions, with the outhouse further back. Facing the house again, re-entering would take you past the main room and kitchen, then into the bedrooms. My siblings' room is on the right, the same side as Arthur and Elaine’s current positions, while my parents' room and my current spot are on the left, alongside the garden.

Get on with it already. You dragged this plan for way too long now. This is literally the 7th chapter of this specific day.

I don’t know what Sys is talking about, but he’s right. I should speed things up.

Now you assume my pronouns? People these days, pinning attributes on you without your knowledge or consent.

“Oooookay, what are your pronouns?”

No, you were right. I prefer male pronouns.

“........Huh? Then why did you even-”

I didn’t say you were wrong. I just didn’t like how you assumed it.

…..Moving on, when I had explained all the small details of my plan, I had finished grinding most of the bulbs. I continued by swiping some sunflares from the rat trap, and I made a small opening in them. Pouring the pulverized powder inside, I anxiously listened for any footsteps outside the bedroom, adding different fruits over a few minutes. Once done, I hid the Midnight Shades under the bed, replaced the drugged bait in the trap, and climbed into bed, pretending to sleep. After a few minutes, I finally heard footsteps approaching. The door creaked slowly, and my mother’s familiar voice softly called my name. Seeing me "asleep," she fell quiet and shuffled over, gently caressing my cheek while humming a familiar lullaby.

“Edrius’ Final Stand”—the famous battle that saved the world.

“That’s the lullaby’s name?”

Correct, though I’ve always found it odd how they decided to create nurseries of a past war to sing to infants……Kind of dark, isn’t it?

“What’s the story behind that battle?”

Oh, about that……….Eh, that’s the school’s job. You can wait until then.

“......That’s awfully diligent of you.”

Who else but Sys? *plays 90’s sitcom theme.*

Satisfied that I was okay, Mom returned to the kitchen, closing the door. I cracked one eye open to make sure the coast was clear, then quietly slipped out of bed and onto the floor.

What now?

Right next to the bed is a small table, which I could use to place myself at a high enough elevation to reach the window. The window uses small wooden hinges that when pushed, causes the window to open outward.

The window? What are you gonna do, gaze out into the wild with an absentminded look, while singing a song that includes several high notes?

“No.” I tore some vines from the rat trap, knotting them tightly and securing one end to the bed leg nearest to the window. Grabbing the slingshot and drugged fruits, I climbed up, opened the window carefully, and squeezed out. Dropping silently to the ground, I released the vine and crept to the treeline. I quickly placed the fruits within tall grass patches and scurried back to the window. Before I returned to the bedroom, there was one last precaution I had in mind. I inched over to where Arthur and Elaine were, hearing them bicker—a good sign. Hopefully, they’d be too busy arguing to notice me. I peered out and saw Elaine about to hang the last shirt on the drying rack. It was now or never. I spotted a small bronze object hanging off a nearby tree near the drying rack. Its cylindrical shape glinted with a golden hue, and bees buzzed around it.

The beehive? Alright, hold on, what are you trying to do?

“Mom’s almost done with setting up dinner, and Arthur and Elaine are almost done with their chores. I need a distraction that will keep all three occupied.” I took aim with the slingshot, focusing on the hive.

Woah, Beric, uhh, hold up.

I waited until Arthur and Elaine’s voices rose again, to use them to cover up any noise from the slingshot’s strike.

Hey, hey, hey. Beric, are you sure this is the right move? These bees are more than just small insects to your family. They not only pollinate all the crops in the garden, but they also provide a steady supply of honey, both food and money for your family. You know how much your family loves honey, and I’ve also seen that you have a liking to it. Do you really have to do this? I mean, is there not a more peaceful option you have?

“There could be, if I had the time to think about it more clearly. But, time isn’t on my side, nor on anyone’s side for that matter. Time is the same for everyone, a haunting presence that looms behind their every step. Even without seeing it, one knows time is always there, passing by with every second. And unfortunately, time’s presence is clearly visible here. I need a distraction right now.”

But what if—

As my siblings’ voices grew louder, I released the vine. The rock shot across, striking the hive with a crack. I quickly scrambled back to the window, hoisting myself up the vine and slipping inside. I placed the slingshot on the table and moved to the bed just as screams erupted outside, followed by my mother’s hurried footsteps. Wasting no time, I untied the vine and scattered bits around the room to suggest a rat’s escape from the trap. Then, I leapt back into bed, waiting for the next part of my plan.

The screaming outside persisted for several minutes before it gradually subsided, followed by the faint sound of the front door opening and closing. I could hear the muffled voices of my mother and siblings, likely discussing what had just happened. Sitting up, I waited patiently for someone to come in. Minutes ticked by, until footsteps neared the bedroom door once again. It creaked open, revealing my mother with a weary expression. She appeared surprised to find me awake and sighed softly as she took a seat beside me. Her eyes, a darker, emerald hue, showed a mixture of exhaustion and concern as she gently played with my hair.

"Did the noise wake you up?" she asked softly.

I nodded.

She sighed again, rubbing her temple. "I'm sorry about that. For some reason, the beehive outside fell down. You know how much Arthur fears bugs, so I suppose it's no surprise he reacted that way. And of course, a few bees ended up stinging both of them, so they're resting in their room now."

Everything had gone according to plan, it seemed… although I hadn't intended for them to get stung.

Oh really? You couldn’t have possibly thought that there was a chance that they would get stung by raging bees that they were right next to?

"It’s fine. As long as the stingers are removed and the areas cleaned properly, they'll be fine. No serious harm should come from this… well, unless something else happens, but I doubt it."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Man, shut the fuck up. That doesn’t make it okay. You willingly and knowingly let this happen.

I didn’t answer back. Instead, I took my mother’s hand and smiled up at her.

She returned the smile, giving my hand a gentle squeeze before glancing over at the trap in its sorry state. "What happened here?" She stood, inspecting the device. Seeing the missing parts, the absent bait, and the scattered vines, she murmured, "Of course…" Sighing, she turned back to me with an apologetic expression. “Beric, I’m sorry, but your birthday dinner has to wait. But only for a little bit, okay? I have to go tell Daddy to fix this, and I’ll come straight back with Daddy so we can finish up, okay? I promise I’ll be fast, and in the meantime, do you mind watching over your older brother and sister?”

I nodded.

She kissed my forehead. “Thank you.” She then swiftly walked out, closing the door behind her. Once I heard her leave, I activated my soul sense, focusing on the area where I’d set the drugged fruits. A small, motionless, rodent-like creature lay next to them. Hearing the front door open and close, I scrambled out of bed and climbed onto the table by the window. Just as I prepared to slip outside, a harsh cough sounded from behind me. I turned, half-expecting to see my mother, but the room was empty. Yet the coughing persisted. I looked back out toward the slumbering rodent, then back at the sound of the coughs……..Surely, it was nothing to worry about?

But what if it is? What if the worst-case scenario had arrived? Coughing is a sign, after all.

……..He was right. I had to check, to make sure if Arthur and Elaine were okay. Besides, it was just a small check-up. Obviously, they were okay…….They had to be, right?

I climbed down, hurrying to their room. Luckily, the door was slightly ajar, so I merely pushed it open. Inside, Elaine lay on her bed, arms and legs dotted with a few bee stings but otherwise unharmed. Arthur, however, was the one coughing, and his condition made it clear why. He bore multiple stings across his legs, arms, and even his face. Swelling and inflammation marred his skin. Coughing, swelling, inflammation……shit. I grabbed the front of my hair as I pulled on it in irritation. He’s allergic.

I slowly walked back out as I racked my head for a plan. A way to not only subdue Arthur’s allergy, but to also conserve time for me to soul absorb that rodent……..But, I didn’t. I didn’t even try to think of one. Why? It’s simple. There was no time to do both, let alone think of a plan. Sure, he’s allergic, but from what I could see, it’s not like he had mere seconds to live. It may be painful for him, but he could wait until Mom returned. After all, this was the perfect time for me to soul absorb that rodent outside. This was what I wanted, the culmination of everything that I had been fervently planning and scheming for. Why would I let my brother-....my fake brother deter me from this? Why would I let this random person stop me from getting stronger? From getting closer to achieving that dream?.......Yeah, that’s right. I couldn’t let this opportunity just slip by. I have to-

You better save him, dipshit.

I stopped dead in my tracks. I stared hard at the ground as those words echoed throughout my mind. I let out a scowl as I furiously scratched my head. I looked towards my parents’ bedroom and back at Arthur in his bed. I thought about how bad his condition was…….I looked back outside, through the window, at the setting sun..……….Fucking hell. I bolted out the front door, heading to the treeline, calling for Mom at the top of my lungs. I then dashed back to the garden. “Sys, scan the area for any plants with antihistamine properties.”

On it.

While Sys searched, I tried to remember anything that could help with the swelling. Lavender oil? No, too modern. Baking soda paste? Idiotic. Think old-fashioned…….basil leaves, aloe vera, honey, apple cider vine—honey. I turned toward the remains of the hive. A cluster of bees still buzzed around, defending the remnants…….Fuck me, really? Do I actually have to do this?..........Just a quick handful would be enough. But would I even be fast enough for that?.......No, I couldn’t waste time hesitating. I will be fast enough. Approaching the hive, I avoided the largest group of bees, suspecting that’s where they guarded the queen. Bits of honeycomb and honey lay scattered, each fragment still swarming with bees.

There's a small patch of yarrow to the right of the garden, near the creek’s trail. It should help reduce swelling.

“Thanks, Sys.” I hurried over to the trail, and I spotted the patch. I grabbed a small handful of yarrow, and I rushed back to the hive. I needed a way to make all the bees move somewhere else, to leave the honey………But what could I do? I looked back at the largest cluster of bees. Like I had theorized, the queen was most likely there, causing the bees to defend her from any predators………Of course. I quickly grabbed a rock as I threw it in the general direction of the queen. Like I had thought, every single bee bolted to that area, moving around in a frenzy-like state. Seizing the chance, I scooped up as much honey as I could and ran back inside. Back in the bedroom, I nearly tripped as I hurried to their side. I tore off several yarrow leaves, chewing them into a paste. Gently, I applied the honey and yarrow paste to both Arthur and Elaine, focusing more on Arthur. I stood back as I finished applying everything. I could now only wait to see what would happen. Before I could, however, I suddenly heard quick footsteps outside the front door. I glanced towards it to see the silhouettes of Mom and Dad approaching the door. Shit, already? Before they could open the door, I quickly placed the yarrow into Elaine’s grasp, and I rushed back to Mom and Dad’s room. I practically leapt back into bed, just as I heard the door creak open. I feigned sleep as they entered.

They should be alright, thanks to your quick thinking and now that your parents are home.

“……They better be.” I activated soul sense and was surprised to find the rodent still lying there, motionless. Those Midnight Shades must’ve been potent.

Or maybe it’s because you used, like, 15 of them.

“That too.”

The bedroom door opened as I heard the hushed voices of my parents. Realizing I was asleep, they quietly walked right back out.

I lay there, motionless, just like that rodent outside. Nothing could be heard except for the soft noises of awe voiced from my parents. The buzzing of insects began to die off, replaced by the occasional hoot of a distant owl. The room began to get darker, as my own conscious state began to disappear……..Such a shame, too. I was this close to getting stronger.

Hey, Beric?

“Yeah?”

I’m proud of you.

“...What?”

I’m proud of you.

“Thanks… I guess.”

I know it was hard for you to decide on what to do, based on your beliefs and dreams. So, I just wanted to clarify that you did the right thing, and I’m proud of you for that.

“…Sure, but I don’t deserve praise. I almost didn’t save him. If anything, I should be criticized for hesitating so long.”

That is true……..You were pretty late, and it almost seemed like you were actually going to leave him to die……..But you didn’t. You still ended up saving him. You put aside your goals to ensure that he wouldn’t die.

I didn’t like that. I didn’t like to hear those types of words directed to me. Even if I did save him, there was still context to it. If “The end justifies the means” is considered a morally wrong practice, then surely I would be guilty of it. There was no need for Sys to be proud of me, let alone state it. I’m nowhere close to being a hero. Hell, I don’t even agree with the typical idea of a hero. All I am is a selfish guy who almost left his brother to die. I don’t deserve the praise……love, for that matter……….And yet, a warm feeling began to sprout within my chest……but that feeling wasn’t alone. It was accompanied by a cold, dreadful emotion that I knew all too well.

“I’ll be going to sleep now, Sys. Good night.”

Good night.

As I lay there, struggling to find sleep, my thoughts churned with lingering doubts and questions. I thought about why I almost left behind Arthur. I thought about how I had spent months carefully planning out a cunning scheme. I thought about how I was mere footsteps away from achieving my goal. The memory of that moment lingered, and I replayed every thought that had surged through me in those critical seconds………………

Why should I save him? Why should I let him dictate my actions? Why should he wield any influence over my emotions, my decisions? Why should I let him obstruct my progress? Why should he even occupy a moment of my mind? Why squander this rare, perfect opportunity? Why should it fall to me to shoulder the burden of saving him? Just because he’s suffering, I’m supposed to set aside my efforts and time for him? Why can’t I simply pursue my own path, free of any outside interference?

Better yet, wouldn’t life be simpler and better if he died? Wouldn’t my family have more resources? Wouldn’t my father and mother have a lighter load? Wouldn’t I have one less worry? Wouldn’t my sister be spared from her constant duty of watching over him? Is it not selfish that she’s bound to his care, forced to ensure he grows into someone decent? If he dies, then would we all not be free of one more burden?

The memory felt suffocating as I curled into myself, drawing my knees close and covering my face. I wanted to forget—wanted desperately to erase every trace of these dark thoughts. I tried so hard to force myself to forget everything. Not just the dark thoughts, but also my entire past. I struggled so hard to forget my old friends and family. I wanted so badly to leave behind my entire life. But no matter how hard I tried, they remained. As I began to silently weep over this, I had another revelation……or rather, I had rediscovered another hidden thought. The reason why I couldn’t cleanse myself of anything was simple. That was me. It wasn’t a side effect of being transported into this new world. It wasn’t corruption from a sad backstory or anything. I was always like this, and it only made sense that if my true soul were to be carried over into this world, that I would be like this. That this body would house my true self……….I don't know if I prefer it this way.