Saving the World to Save Myself

"Carol, you're so strong, and you're a great doctor. Could you take her place? Please?"

I felt a knife twist in my heart. I could not recall when Elaine became such a wedge in our relationship.

She was supposed to marry Jeffrey's friend, Hank Sullivan, who died protecting Jeffrey in another country. With his last breath, he asked Jeffrey to take care of Elaine. Jeffrey got her a job at the capital’s hospital and even let her live in his house. Little by little, Elaine took my place and became the most important person in Jeffrey's life.

I let out an icy laugh. "Why should I clean up her mess?"

Jeffrey held my hand, his eyes full of sorrow. "Carol, I wouldn't even be here right now if it wasn’t for Hank. Could you help me pay back this favor?

"Take her place for one year, and when you come back, I'll send her away to another country. Then, we can go back to how we were when we were little, okay?"

Jeffrey's eyes were so honest, but they made me feel lost.

He sounded so serious, but he did not think about what his plea meant for me.

He was worried about Elaine getting into trouble out there, but he did not consider my safety at all.

I laughed at the sheer ridiculousness and pulled my hand back. "I don't need to help you.

"If you're worried about her, you could go with her.

"I think there's still one spot open for an armed escort."

When I said that, Jeffrey looked surprised for just a second, but then he composed himself and gave me a book.

"This is the medical book you wanted. While you were sick, I made a copy for you."

I grabbed the book fast, scared that I might start crying at any moment.

Back in my room, I looked through the copied book, touching the confident writing.

There was only one copy of this medical book in the entire world, and it was kept by a collector. The borrowing process was difficult, and anyone who got it had to return it within a day.

Jeffrey probably stayed up all night to copy it.

He was always so nice, but it led people to misinterpret his intentions.

However, I did not need his comfort anymore.

...

When I woke up, the sunset was covering the entire city.

While I was packing my bags, I saw the tiger plushie by my bed.

The stitches were coming apart, and it was washed out from being washed so much, but I had taken good care of it.

It was a birthday present Jeffrey made for me when I turned eight.

I bit my lip, unsure if I should take it with me.

Suddenly, the door was kicked open with a loud bang.

Jeffrey’s face twisted with anger as he yelled at me, "Elaine's already said yes to the job. Why are you trying to ruin her good name?!

"Your mom and dad must've known you were the spawn of evil and would do anything to get your way. That’s why they left you behind. They didn’t even want you to join them in the afterlife!

"You deserve to be alone!"

I felt like I had been hit by lightning, frozen in place.

I started shaking all over, my voice high and shrill, "Jeffrey! Do you even know what you're saying?"

My tears spilled out, pulling me back into memories I had locked away.

My parents were just like Jeffrey and me, always fighting.

During one terrible fight, my mom turned on the gas and took my dad with her in a fire.

I was standing outside our home, happily holding a family photograph for my homework.

From then on, people would look at me and shake their heads, saying how sad it was that no one wanted me.

Before I got into college, being ‘unwanted’ was the bane of my life.

Then, Jeffrey came along.

He took my hand, his voice soft, "You're not unwanted. You're my sister now.

"If anyone insults you again, I'll stand up for you."