On a leisurely Sunday afternoon, the soft sunlight streamed through the windows of Alex's apartment, casting a warm glow on the room. The air was filled with the laughter and excitement of Alex and Lily engrossed in a video game session. Suddenly, a brisk knock echoed through the apartment, interrupting the joyful atmosphere.
"I finally found you, brother," a girl's voice declared as she entered the doorway. The words hung in the air, capturing both surprise and anticipation.
Curiosity piqued, Lily took it upon herself to answer the door. As it creaked open, her eyes met those of a young woman in her early twenties, adorned with long, dark hair that bore a striking resemblance to Alex.
With a playful smile, Lily couldn't help but ask, "Who are you?" The question lingered in the air with a touch of innocence.
"Oh, hi, cutie. Do you know Alex here?" The visitor replied, her voice carrying a hint of familiarity.
Caught off guard, Lily glanced back at Alex's room and shouted, "Someone came for you."
Intrigued, Alex emerged from his gaming den, his curiosity evident in his voice. "Ask their name," he instructed.
Turning back to the mysterious guest, Lily queried, "What's your name?" The response came in the form of a simple yet intriguing moniker, "Issable."
Lily, unable to contain her excitement, called out to Alex, "Someone called Issable."
Reacting swiftly, Alex rushed to the door to catch a glimpse of the young woman. As he laid eyes on her, a mix of shock and recognition flashed across his face. "Issy?" he uttered.
"Hello, brother," she greeted him with a familiar tone.
Curiosity etched across his face, Alex questioned, "How do you know this place?"
A smirk played on her lips as she replied, "I just gathered information."
With a casual disregard for boundaries, she entered the apartment, offering a nonchalant, "Pardon my intrusion."
As she stepped further into the space, her eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected sight. "Wow! When did you start cleaning your room?" she inquired, a hint of amusement in her voice.
"It's none of your business," Alex retorted, maintaining his nonchalant demeanor.
Issy's gaze then shifted towards Lily, who was quietly observing the exchange. Pointing in Lily's direction, she asked, "So is he your kid?"
Alex chuckled, dispelling the misconception, "No! She just comes to play with me in her free time."
Issy, with a sly grin, couldn't resist delving into the personal dynamics. "So, why don't you answer my calls and messages?" she probed.
"It's nothing," Alex replied, attempting to downplay the significance of his avoidance.
Lily, sensing a potential shift in the atmosphere, decided to intervene. With her innocent charm, she handed a glass of juice to Issy. "Oh, thanks, cutie!" Issy expressed her gratitude.
Issy, persistent in her playful interrogation, continued, "How many days will you run?"
"Until I can!" Alex retorted, maintaining a defensive stance.
"Please, just talk with me! Will you punish me for what Dad did to you?" Issy's tone softened, revealing a layer of genuine concern.
Suddenly, a haunting wave of flashbacks overwhelmed Alex. Lily, with a keen sense of empathy beyond her years, observed his trembling hands and instinctively reached out to hold them. In that gentle touch, Alex found an anchor, a connection to the present that helped him break free from the haunting memories.
"Sorry," Issy uttered in a somber tone, her sincerity cutting through the room's atmosphere.
"I will remember that whenever I see you. I don't have any grudge against you, Issy," Alex revealed, his words carrying the weight of past wounds.
"I just want to be with my brother," she said, a vulnerability in her eyes that hadn't been there before.
Sensing the depth of the moment, Lily, with her innocent eyes, looked at Alex and then at Issy. In her small voice, she pleaded, "Alex, can you forgive her? She seems really sorry."
The room held a fragile silence as the weight of the past collided with the possibility of healing. After a moment of thoughtful reflection, Alex made a decision – a decision to embrace the chance for reconciliation.
Issy, overwhelmed with emotion, reached out to Alex and embraced him. Tears streamed down her face as the siblings held onto each other, the silent acknowledgment of wounds healing and the hope of rebuilding a connection that had endured too much pain.
In the recesses of Alex's mind, a poignant memory resurfaced. It was a time when he was fifteen, marked by his father's explosive anger. The recollection was vivid—Isy, in her innocence, reaching out to him during a turbulent moment. Their father's fury erupted violently, leaving scars etched on both body and soul. The lack of concern or remorse from their father deepened the wounds inflicted that day, lingering as painful echoes in Alex's memory.
As the heartfelt reunion unfolded between Alex and Issy, a sudden sound caught their attention. Turning towards the entrance, they discovered Mia standing there, quietly observing the emotional scene.
Breaking the momentary silence, Mia greeted them with a warm smile. "Hello!" she chimed in, acknowledging their presence.
Issy, caught in the overflow of emotions, rushed towards Mia, embracing her in a hug that seemed to confuse Alex. The unexpected display of affection left him momentarily puzzled, wondering about the connection between Issy and Mia that went beyond the surface.