"Sometimes being brave hurts the most when no one is watching.”Back in Atheria, Nathaniel didn’t cry in front of his sister. He sat beside her on the couch, arm around her small shoulders, telling her everything would be okay. He smiled when she needed it. He stayed calm when her voice shook. He answered her questions gently, the way adults were trying to do for them.He was brave for her. He always was.When she finally fell asleep, still holding his hand, Nathaniel slowly pulled away. He stood there for a second, staring at her peaceful face, then walked into the next room and closed the door quietly.Silence. The moment he was alone, his chest tightened. His throat burned. He pressed his back against the wall and slid down to the floor.And then the tears came. Not loud. Not dramatic. Just silent, shaking tears.His small fists curled against his eyes. He tried to breathe, tried to be strong, but fear hurt. The thought of his mother lying in a hospital bed, shot, hurt more than an
Last Updated : 2026-01-08 Read more