The nurse finishes wraping my arm with the bandage then she pats my hand.

"The surgeons are performing surgery as we speak." The nurse said.

"I thought most of society is destroyed." I said, matter-of-factly.

"It is, but we still work here to help people like you out, most of the patients had been wiped out, and some either commited suicide or left the hospital...I wouldn't blame them for leaving..." The nurse admits.

"Is there help arriving?" I ask.

"Supposed to be....I doubt it....but if all else fails we still do what we can to help others survive...most of the population has became these...things." The nurse says breathlessly.

"Can we go see my sister once the surgery is done?" I ask, she nods.

"What's your name?" The nurse asks me, twitching her freckled nose.

"Avery, and Aurei's my little sister." I said, the nurse grins. Then she sighs.

"I'm Laurie..." She said, moving a curly lock from her face. I take a deep breath, how long was this damn surgery? I know you have to remove the bullet...but I just need to know how she's doing.

"Do you need a glass of water? You must be hella thirsty." Laurie suggests, standing up and walking towards the door.

"Yeah." I said weakly. I could see myself now....how the hell do you leave a defenseless, thirteen year old girl in a store by herself in the first place?

I thought she would come back...I will never forgive myself for this....ever.

I slam my fist onto the counter, running my hand through my hair, then I just facepalm. I would give anything to swap places with her.

My thoughts go back immediately on the day when we were playing catch, after I broke up with my no-good boyfriend.

Aurei looks at me with a small smile on her face.

"How'd it go?" She asked, catching the ball in her hands.

"Awful...he was actually two timing me the whole time we were dating." I said, Aurei nods then tossed the ball back at me.

"He wasn't good for you....in fact, you're too good for him." Aurei said, I tossed the ball back at her, she grabs it. She would play soccer with her guy friend, Raymond....often I would tease her about her having a crush on him.

"You're a good sister, Aurei." I said. Aurei frowns.

"I understand sarcasm Avery." Aurei said coyly before tossing the ball back at me.

I walked up to her, hugging her. I could smell the shampoo in her hair...she was trying to straighten it but her hair was too nappy and frizzy so she parted it and wore it in a low ponytail.

Aurei starts to quietly sob, I break away then grab her shoulders. She turns away, avoiding eye contact with me. She was the one who suffered the most when Dad died....

"Look, I know this is hard but you've gotta be strong....not for me, Mom or anyone else but yourself...you're tough as nails, and you're one smart girl." I said with a small smile.

"You know you're just like Dad...." Aurei said as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"So are you." I said.

"Yeah, but I'm small and hard-headed." Aurei  said, closing her eyes.

"That doesn't mean anything, you can't let that stop you." I said, giving her one last hug.

"Okay, we both don't like sappiness so let's stop with the cuddles." Aurei said with a small laugh.

I laugh along with her, then we walk into the house to help Mom with dinner.

Laurie comes back with a glass of water, she places it before me.

"I'll come get you when she's ready, hang in there Avery." Laurie says before closing the door behind her.

I pace around the room, grabbing fistfuls of my hair. I failed Mom, I promised that nothing bad will happen to Aurei...I hope she lives....then I will for sure teach her how to use a gun when she gets on her feet.

"Why does it have to be her? Of all people?" I mumble, then I grab the glass of water,

I take a long sip. The flashes of Aurei grinning, rolling her eyes at ridiculous things, bringing home her straight A report cards.

I throw the glass at the wall, I sit on the stool, putting my head down.

No...not Aurei....anyone but Aurei....she's just trying to survive like everyone else....she wanted me...to leave her.

Now I know how or what Aurei had been feeling like, she sees herself as nothing but a vulnerable liability; dead weight so she's trying to change that...I wish I hugged her more....told her that I loved her, told her more about Dad....let her have a say in things....

I should've been with her...I should've stopped being a bitch and learn to think....how could I be so irresponsible? Why?

I wipe the tears from my eyes, folding my hands together and pressing them to my lips. Pull yourself together Avery.

"Avery? The surgery is done....and she was given an inhaler...but she can't wake up..." Laurie said, giving me a pained expression.

I immediatley stand up, walking down the hall past patients that must've been shooting me looks....past nurses that were kneeling down and they just ignored me.

Laurie opens the door, I walk slowly towards the bed Aurei laid in, I cover my mouth, sitting in the chair beside her, she laid there, stiff. But her body was still warm.

I grab her hand, the gunshot only got into her shoulder, but I guess she panicked....and when she panicks too much she tends to lose breath.

I grab her hand, the light making her light brown skin look paler. If I'm on the verge of sanity, losing Aurei would seal the deal.....

"C'mon Aurei...you've gotta be strong." I said, squeezing her hand a little harder. But she didn't move....

"Please....if anyone's to be punished.....it should be me. I deserve it after all...."

"Dumbass..." I mutter to myself.

"Aurei....you can do anything if you set your mind to it...." I whisper, looking down at her, I hate to see her this way.

I wanted to bring the bastard who shot Aurei back to life just so I could kill him again.

I rest my head on the bed, I could hear footsteps behind me.

"Avery, I know how this feels....do you want to stay in here or go find your own room for the night?" Laurie asks softly.

"I'm staying." I said flatly, rubbing Aurei's knuckles with my thumb.

"It's against rules for a patient to stay up this late....but I won't tell." Laurie reassures me.

"Good...thank you." I whisper.

"No problem...I don't think I would've had a choice anyway." She said before walking out of the room.

"I promise I will be a better sister...you'll learn the same ways I learned when Dad taught me..." I said calmly....but on the inside I'm a wreck.

I try to fight the heaviness in my eyes as they begin to close....I need to stay awake....I have to fight.

And if all else fails, I will face the truth.