AD INFINITUM (To Infinity)

Julian trudged into his room, his heart heavy with grief. His parents and brother, concerned, waited for him.

"Julian, what's wrong?" his mother asked, rising from the couch.

But Julian couldn't speak.

His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor.

Uncontrollable sobs wracked his body.
"WHY?!" he screamed, fists clenched.

His body shook, his face contorted.
"Lies... all fucking lies... to protect me."

He gasped for air between sobs.
"Her sickness... And the truth... That she's leaving me."

His parents and brother rushed to his side.
"Julian, son, what's wrong?" his father pleaded.

Julian's words were barely audible.

" o-one day... I'll be fucking alone Haha.. HAHAHA."

He find it ridiculous, his sobs turns to angry fit of laughter. He slammed his fists on the floor.

"WHY DID SHE FUCKING HIDE IT FROM ME?!"

His mother wrapped her arms around him.
"Julian, she wanted to shield you."

But Julian's anger  and grief consumed him. He screamed.

"SHIELD ME?! FROM WHAT? THE TRUTH?! FUCK ARGHHH!"

His brother's eyes welled up.
"Jules, we're here for you."

Julian's sobs intensified. His anger changed to tired sobs.
"I-I hate... this...."

His father's voice was calm.
"We're here, son. We'll face it together."

Julian's body trembled.
"I-I c-can't... l-live... w-without... h-her."

His parents and brother held him close.

——
As they comforted him, Julian's pain slowly began to ease replaced by a numbness. He gazed blankly ahead, tears streaming down his face.

"Lily... she's been sick," he began, his voice flat. Breaking the silence.

"She's been hiding it from me... to protect me."

His parents and brother listened, their faces etched with sorrow.

"She's donated her eyes... so I can see again, pftt..can you believe it?" Julian continued.

Tears fell, but his expression remained unchanging.

"I was going blind... she wanted to help me."

His voice cracked.
"She's giving me sight... but leaving me in darkness."

Julian's tears flowed freely.
"I love her... I love her so much."

His brother wrapped his arms around him.

"We're here for you, Jules."

His brother calling him in his nickname to soothe him, his parents' eyes welled up.

"We're so sorry, son," his father whispered.

"We're here for you," his mother added.

Julian's voice barely whispered.
"I don't know how to thank her... or say goodbye."

His body shook, but his face remained still.

Tears streamed down, a heartbreaking expression of his pain.