★ ★ ★ ★
“Gerald…” Leah whispered, teary-eyed.
Her eyes blinked gently and a tear ran down her eyes when she saw Gerald still intact.
He wasn’t even facing her. He seemed very concentrated.
Leah inhaled and immediately, the red light was heard.
Green light was soon heard and they all made their way, walking carefully and gently, with the eggs in their spoon.
Among the team A, Karen was the first person to get through the red line.
“That wasn’t so hard” She chuckled, dusting her hand with the egg.
She looked at the doll which was in front of her and shook her head.
Some players were also with her.
“Gosh! I almost dièd” Simpson cried, immediately he landed his foot past the red line.
Karen smiled at him.
“You did well” She tapped his shoulder and he nodded.
They both looked and just then, Helen and Fat Joe came forward.
Helen looked at Gavin who was shaking.
“Gavin!!” She screamed.
“You can do this! Just believe in yourself” She added.
“You changed? What’s up?” Karen raised her brows.
“Not your business” Helen said, sternly without looking back at her.
The next to arrive was Gavin, Gerald and Marshall. Then, Leah and Kelly.
Phoebe came next. Last was Freddy.
Rowen jumped at 3 minutes and Tasha came after.
“My wife?…Where- He paused when he saw Lucy still walking carefully.
“His…wife?” Tasha thought.
“Lucy!! You can do this, okay?? I trust in you!” He screamed, panting.
*Red Light* It said and Lucy stopped, immediately. She looked at Rowen and tears began to brim in her eyes.
“C’mon” He whispered, clenching his fist.
*
“Gerald!” Leah hugged him.
“I’m so glad you’re fine. I thought I lost you” She sobbed.
“It’s Marshall…Marshall helped me” Gerald muttered. written by sommy pearl f.
Leah sniffed and broke the hug. She looked at Gerald.
“What do you mean? How?” She asked.
“Marshall… came to me,,, yesterday ni…night” Gerald muttered.
★ LAST NIGHT ★
“Gerald?? Gerald?? Wake up, please” Marshall tapped him.
“Leave me…” Gerald yawned.
“Gerald wants to sleep more” He Mõ@ned.
“You’ll sleep more after you hear me out. Hear me out first, please” Marshall shook him. written by sommy pearl f.
“Hmm” Gerald could only murmur.
Marshall sighed.
“Who wants hot chicken soup?” He said.
Gerald eyes opened quickly and he raised his head up.
“Me. Me. Me” He said, and Marshall covered his mouth quickly seeing Leah shake her body from the bed she was asleep on.
“Marshall?” Gerald blinked.
Shhhh” Marshall whispered.
“Where’s the chicken soup?? You…lied” Gerald had a face of someone that was about to cry.
“I’m sorry but I needed you to wake up”
“Gerald h@tës liars. Mum told Gerald to keep away from liars” Gerald shook his head.
“I’m sorry, okay? But I promise you a big bowl of home made chicken soup when we make out of here alive”
Gerald smiled.
“Really?” He giggled.
“Its a promise” Marshall nodded.
“Pinky…swear” Gerald brought out his pinky finger.
Marshall chuckled softly and linked his own pinky finger with Gerald’s.
“Happy now?” Marshall smiled.
Gerald nodded.
“Wait…Don’t go to sleep yet. I wanna talk to you” Marshall said.
“Okay” Gerald nodded.
Marshall looked down and then raised his eyes to Gerald.
“Gerald? Tomorrow might be scary. Very very scary for us…and especially for you”
“Gerald h@tës scary things” Gerald shook his head.
“Gerald? Can you be strong? Strong for your family? For…for your sister? Can you?”
Gerald blinked his eyes and opened his mouth.
Marshall sighed.
“Gerald. You have autism” Marshall suddenly said.
“Eh?” Gerald muttered, biting chewing his lower lips
“I guess no one has told you this. Well,,, Let me be the first. You know too, right? Autism…You have it”
Gerald parted his lips and shook his head.
“Autism has dealt with you in different ways. Now, everyone thinks you aren’t strong. Most people think…people born with autistic spectrum can’t do this and that. They think you are different. They think you’re weak, feeble- Marshall paused and used this as a privilege to hold his tears in.
“Dull, stupid, less human…Gerald? Why not prove them all wrong tomorrow? Prove to them that you are strong, unique, self esteemed, fearless and…smart” Marshall patted his head.
Tears ran down Gerald’s eyes immediately.
“For the sake of those around you. Gerald,, Do not give up” Marshall whispered.
Gerald looked at Leah and wiped his tears.
He remembered those days, those years. How Leah had always stood up for him. Cried for him. Helped him. Stayed with him. Looked out for him. Come rain, Come shine.
** “I…will always protect you, Gerald. That what baby sisters do” Leah had said one time like that.
She was sad then but she held her tears in and gave him a big smile.
He was on the floor, with bruises on his face. His eyes were swollen cause he had been crying then.
His ball which was close to him seemed to have punctured.
She brought his hand out to him to hold**
“No…I will be strong for you and protect you, Leah. That what big brothers do” Gerald whispered, looking at a sleeping Leah by his side.
★ END OF FLASHBACK BACK★
Leah quickly took her eyes away and the tears fell. She quickly dried them up and looked at Gerald.
“I’m glad you are fine” She smiled.
“You don’t…don’t have to hold it in anymore. You can…cry as you want. I’ll always be there for you. I’ll…comfort you. That’s…That’s what big brothers do” He said.
Leah tears flowed immediately. She hugged his tighter and closed her eyed.
Marshall watched them with a smile on his face.
Meanwhile*
“Lucy!! Lucy!! No!! What are you doing?? Walk!! Walk!! Please!!” Rowen screamed in tears.
Tasha inhaled deeply and looked at Lucy who stood numb during the ‘Green Light’ time.
Her hand was shivering and it affected the egg on the spoon.
“Oww” Lucy whispered and shut her eyes.
Her head was hurting again.
Her drugs??? Gosh!!!
“My head. My eyes” She almost cried. It was hurting badly.
“What’s wrong!! Lucy!!” Rowen tried, running to her.
Tasha quickly held his hand.
“What are you trying to do? Get yourself killed? It only few seconds remaining” She said, and glanced at the timer.
13 seconds now.
“Lucy…is family” He said, stressfully, and snapped his hand off.
“Or rather,,, She’s your wife”
TBC
