20 | Memories

                                    

                                          

"Do you remember how he used to sneak into your room at night?" Kaleb's voice broke the silence, soft and distant. "He'd crawl into your bed because he was scared of the dark. Every time."
Kylan's lips twitched into a brief smile, though it quickly faded. "Yeah. He used to bring that stuffed bear with him. What was it called? Benny?"
Kaleb chuckled, the sound hollow. "Benny. He used to think Benny could protect him from anything."
"Wish Benny could've protected him from what actually happened," Kylan muttered,
Levi, who had been standing quietly by the door, finally spoke. "Do you guys think... he'd still remembers us?" His voice was quiet.
Kylan turned away from the window, his gaze heavy as he looked at Levi. "I don't know, Levi. Sometimes I wonder if he's still the same kid we lost."
A strained silence settled over the room, each brother lost in their own thoughts, tangled in memories of the seven-year-old they once knew.
"After our parents died, I used to think he'd just show up one day," Kaleb said suddenly, his voice trembling. "Like he'd walk through the door, just like that. Like nothing had ever happened."
But reality had never been that kind to them.
Kylan ran a hand through his hair, his thoughts drifting back to the days when their biggest worry was making sure Kai wasn't afraid to sleep alone. 
He remembered how Kai's small frame would slip into his bed in the middle of the night, his stuffed bear clutched tightly in his arms. 
Kylan used to tease him for it, telling him that Benny wasn't going to fight off any monsters. But Kai, with his innocent, wide eyes, would just smile and say, "Benny's strong enough."
Kaleb had been the closest to Kai, more than any of them. The two of them had been inseparable—running around the house, playing games, getting into trouble. Kaleb had always been the one who made sure Kai wasn't left behind.
"He used to follow you everywhere," Kylan said softly, as the memories washed over him. "You'd be playing soccer in the yard, and he'd be there, trying to keep up, even though he was too small to kick the ball."
Kaleb let out a shaky breath. "I keep wondering... if he's changed. If we've lost him completely. But then I think about how much he used to love us, and I can't believe he would ever forget that."
Kaleb sat on the edge of Kylan's bed, staring at the floor, lost in thought. Levi leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his brow furrowed as he mulled over Kaleb's words.
Before anyone could speak again, the door burst open, and Matteo rushed in, his face pale and strained. In his hands, he clutched a laptop, his eyes wide with urgency.
"Kylan," Matteo's voice trembled slightly, something rare for him. "You need to see this."
Kylan's stomach tightened. "What is it?"
Matteo hesitated, glancing over at Kaleb before turning his gaze back to Kylan. "There's a video... it's named 'Kai.' You need to watch it."
Kylan's heart sank. "What do you mean? What kind of video?"
Matteo swallowed hard, his eyes dark with something Kylan didn't like. "Just... trust me. But Kaleb shouldn't be here for this."
Kaleb, who had been staring at the laptop in Matteo's hands, furrowed his brow. "Why can't I see it? It's about Kai, isn't it? I deserve to know."
Kylan felt the pit in his stomach grow deeper. He had no idea what this video could be, but the way Matteo was acting told him it wasn't good. And whatever it was, Kaleb wasn't ready for it.