Closed Eyes Blind

01. After Autumn

"Morning Isa".

She woke up, rubbing sleep off her eyes, to see her mom sorting clothes in her wardrobe.

"What are you doing mum ?", her soft voice had a hint of curiosity.

That day was different; she realized that when a shiver ran down her spine as her soft feet made contact with the floor and she slid the blanket aside.

"It's winter Isa. I'm placing some warm clothes out here"

And Mrs. Shmitt gave her one of her sweetest smiles. Those were reserved for Isa.

"Make sure you put some on honey" she smiled again before leaving the room.

Mrs. Shmitt, she had one of the 'dream' lives of the best of her teenage dreams. She was a proud mom of Eden, Isa's elder brother, and her cute daughter Isabella.

Mr. Shmitt though wasn't home for most of the time, but made sure that he gave enough love to family. They were living in the small town she said they called Sieara.

Isa, she then had no idea of reality of her family. Because there was a lot more that her brother knew about the family than she did. She often heard Eden trying to hide his tears behind the blankets every night. She told her mom about it but she denied the possibility, though she was sure.

She loved her brother. Maybe a lot more than he loved her back, but she was happy with him. She felt safe with him. They were together almost all the time, except when her brother would disappear somewhere for a while.

And that day was no different as the kids played near their home and their mom rhymed softly the favorite of her songs while cooking supper.

She was just four, her brother eight. His brother though, was too mature for his age. Excellent in school, a perfect student and son. Isa envied him a lot, especially his expression when he couldn't maintain the mature look on his face and the most innocent of all smiles would break out. He would correct himself immediately though.

It was around 7 PM when Mrs. Shmitt came out to the balcony on the first floor to call the kids back home.

"Isa, Eden. It's time".

"Okay mum!"
Isa replied and turned towards Eden to find him missing, again. It was after a couple of minutes that he appeared from behind the bush on the other side of the empty house next to theirs.

"Where were you?"

"Me? Ah. This", he showed her the ball in his hand and started walking back home. Though she noticed him sliding something down his back pocket, she didn't care to ask about it. It was getting cold outside after all.

Once back home, they both seated themselves on the dining table as their mom placed the plates and kissed their foreheads.

Sitting next to her brother, out of curiosity,  she tried to look at what his brother kept in his pocket but it seemed empty to us. She still was sure that there was something though. Her curiosity got distracted when Eden asked if their dad were going to join them for dinner.

"Sorry Eden, he got quite a lot work today. He might be late. "

"Alright ."

Isa was too fond of her father, like most daughters are. She was disappointed but smiled anyways and finished up her food.

"Time for bed kids."

"Good night mum" she hugged her mom, who was then washing the plates, and went to their room with her brother.

"Good night brother" she said sleepily as her eyes slowly closed. Pulling the blanket close, she waited for her brother to reply.

He sat on the bed, looking outside the window between their beds. He let out a sigh and finally replied.

"Good night Isa. Sleep well."

And she finally felt sleep taking over.

Oh! Chime of my dear winds,
Let sleep come to my place.
For I'm too young to sing,
Tales of the knife that stays.
And I'll ignore the sting,
Of the wasps painting all red.