Brothers by Elsa Pieterse (best romance books of all time TXT) 📕

machines flashed through his mind. Ryan didn't bother with his seatbelt, he had his phone against his ear and was speed dialing May. "Please answer, please answer" Ryan muttered out loud and gave a curse when the automated voice said to leave a message.

 

As he sped down the road praying to a God he wasn't sure he believed in, the young man had an unwanted memory replay in his mind.

 

MAY 2018

 

Ryan had trouble keeping eye contact with his big brother because of the betrayed expression on Jake's face. He had just seen Lily again and from the lack of reaction from Ryan, his younger brother had known she was back.

 

It registered with Ryan somewhere that Jake was standing and talking to him while his body sat in the wheelchair right there with them.

 

Jake repeated the question to his younger brother. "How long have you known she was back?"

 

Ryan replied in a voice sounding much calmer than he felt that he had met with her that morning. He went on to explain the days events, not leaving anything out.

 

The betrayed expression gave way to shame and sadness and Ryan's heart ached for his big brother. He knew Jake well enough to know that he felt terrible about the meltdown and what made things ten times worse was it had all played out in front of a crowd.

 

Ryan could feel his own anguish grow as he felt his brothers pain.

 

Before either brother could say anything further, Jake's body in the wheelchair started to convulse and the astral projection of Jake started to seize as well and then disappeared.

 

Ryan ran to the door and screamed for help. He could feel Jake's mental anguish get the better of him and knew that they both needed help. Before Ryan blacked out he heard Jake tell him telepathically that he was sorry, and that he was going to be okay. Ryan was wondering if his brother was talking about himself as he passed out.

 

13 May 2018

 

Ryan had been discharged the day after the incident. And he hated the fact that people had started to refer to it as The Incident.

 

His brother had been in a medically induced coma for almost a week and Ryan had never felt more helpless.

 

"I'm sorry big brother. I can't risk your life, you're to important to me". Ryan held Jake's hand in his as a tear rolled down his chin. Ryan told him that their shared ability was to dangerous and that he would not meet him in his dreams anymore. Doctor Chambers had lowered the sedation and expected his patient to wake up soon. Ryan had not tried to make contact with his brother the entire time he was in the coma. He had decided after finding out Jake could wake up anytime, that he would talk to his brother. He told him that he would not use their shared bond again. He went on to say that their shared abilities was not worth Jake's life. Ryan could feel the sensations in his brain start and knew his brother was going to communicate even before he spoke.

 

Jake's eyes were still closed, and he still looked comatose but the words came out fluently. He was begging Ryan not to leave, to please not give up on their abilities.

 

Ryan could feel Jake prodding at his mind, asking for entry but Ryan kept the door closed and told his brother he should get some rest.

 

Ryan didn't notice Lily standing just outside the open door to his brothers room. She stood, frozen in shock, she had never heard Jake speak words before and here he was speaking fluent sentences.

 

Her heart broke for both brothers, the desperation in Jake's voice combined with the determination she could hear from Ryan told her that the brothers had reached an impasse in their relationship. She was still reeling from hearing Jake speak, and had a million questions, but she decided to find the answers at another time. She had to convince Ryan not to give up on the brothers bond.

 

She saw Ryan give his brother a final hug and then turn to leave the room. She quickly ducked into the hallway and waited for him.

 

Ryan was surprised to find Lily waiting outside his brothers room. He didn't have the energy to deal with her and gave her a nod as he tried to sidestep her.

 

Lily was having none of it. She stood in his personal space and refused to move before he would agree to a coffee in the cafeteria.

 

As Lily walked determinedly towards the cafeteria, Ryan close on her heels, she decided not to tell Ryan about her overhearing Jake speak.

 

She ordered a coffee from the small lady behind the counter at the cafeteria and sat down at the table. Ryan didn't bother to order anything, he didn't plan to stay long.

 

Lily didnt know where to start so she decided to start with the truth. She told him that she had always been jealous of the brothers close relationship. Ryan looked at her sceptically and told her that their relationship was definitely different from normal brothers. Lily went on to explain that she had always been jealous of the way he could calm Jake down when no one else could. Ryan just shrugged as if it was no big deal. Lily shook her head at the young man's stubborness and told him that she had always admired him for the way he seemed to understand Jake in a way that no one else could.

 

Ryan blamed the remaining sensations of his brothers pleas in his mind for the nasty comment he gave Lily next. He told her that she could have learned a few tricks if she had bothered to stick around.

 

Lily visibly paled at the remark and Ryan gave a self deprecating laugh as he told Lily to ignore him, and that he was a jerk.

 

As he stood up to leave, Lily took his hand in hers and gave him a sympathetic squeeze, telling him that she was there if he needed someone to talk to.

 

Ryan barely acknowledged her last words and with a wave fled from the hospital.

 

January 2019

 

Jake heard the two woman arguing just outside his door and sighed. It was the same argument every time. Lily wanted to tell Ryan about Jake's progress with his abilities but May was adament not to tell the younger boy. He knew they both were worried about the effects the treatment could have on him. He also knew the people behind the treatment was bad news, and May did too. That was the reason he was against telling Ryan, he didn't want his brother in any danger.

 

Lily argued that keeping Ryan in the dark  was wrong and that he deserved to know about his brothers abilities growing stronger and about the effects it could have.

 

Jake took a deep breath and manifested beside himself in the wheelchair. Both woman let out a small gasp, and Lily knew she would never get used to seeing that happen.

 

Jake's baritone voice filled the room and if she was honest, it was still eerie seeing and hearing him while his body sat lifeless in the wheelchair.

 

Jake said that he understood her desire to tell Ryan but he further explained that his little brother had to focus on his studies now. He was extremely proud of his brother who had been accepted to the neuroscience program that would start the following year.

 

May could see the strain on Jake's face as he turned to face her. He told her that the mixture of drugs they had given him the previous night was helping to relieve the constant headache he had, but he was having trouble concentrating enough to maintain the contact he had with them at that moment.

 

He had just made the statement when he flashed out of existence. May quickly checked Jake's vitals and was worried to see his blood pressure was dangerously low. She quickly transferred him to the bed and pressed the buzzer for help. Dr Chambers came rushing into the room and yelled for an explanation. May had to think quickly, she told him that Lily had come to visit Jake. She stretched the truth even futher and told him that Lily had given Jake some bad news which agitated him so she decided to check his vitals. That was when she buzzed for help.

 

Lily had been removed from the situation and the activity in the room was calming down.

 

The doctor gave May an unconvinced glance before checking his patients' vitals himself. Jake was awake and glancing anxiously between the doctor and May.

 

Dr Chambers made a few notes in Jake's file and was out the door without a greeting.

 

May gave Jake's leg a squeeze and told him that everything would be fine, she would make sure of it.

Chapter 2

 Chapter 2

 

January 2020

 

Ryan didn't care about May's concerns about him reaching out to Jake. After seeing his brother have a convulsion again, he was worried he would find him in a coma again or worse. But he wouldn't think about the worst case scenario, he couldn't.

His car had barely come to a stop in May's driveway and he was already running towards the front door. To his surprise the door opened before he could knock and a nervous looking May peeked outside. She ushered him into the house and glanced around outside. She saw nothing suspicious and hurriedly closed the door behind her.

When May turned around to face Ryan she saw that he stood frozen with his back to her. She could imagine the shocked expression on his face as he stared at his brother. His brother who was standing inside the living room, very much alive and not comatose.

Jake was speaking a mile a minute, trying to explain to Ryan how he was fine after the incident at the admin building that afternoon.

May took pity on both boys and told them to sit down while she made everyone some coffee. She told Ryan that she would help Jake explain what happened the two years he had not been around.

After she fixed everyone a coffee, May went into details about her involvement and ultimately her reason for taking Jake from the institute.

May confessed that she had known from that first week Jake was admitted to the institute about his dream ability. She had walked into his room one night while he was sleep talking to Ryan. He spoke fluently and she could understand every word he said. May had kept it to herself, but had also kept a close eye on Jake.

She went on to explain that she had started her own investigation into the institute, specifically the treatment plans of some of the residents. Jake had been one of the patients with the most complete workups and intense treatment plans.

She made sure to make copies of all the notes and documents in Jake's files.

The morning of 7 January she received a file with notes on new treatments they were to start on Jake. The nurse she got the file from told her that Jake wasn't safe and to get him away from the institute and specifically away from Dr Chambers.

May did not have time to check out the information, she grabbed Jake and left as soon as