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“michael.” an uneasy tension lingered between the siblings, years of unspoken words and apologies ready to be thrown about. evan lowered himself to the ground, standing above michael’s shrunken frame. “evan, fuck evan i-i.” he stuttered, reaching up to pull evan into a hug. unaware of his ghostly form, michael fell through and landed on the floor beneath him, a small hiss escaping through gritted teeth.
“after all these years, you’re still as dumb as a rock.”
michael sat up and faced evan, tears staining his cheeks in small rivers.
“jesus christ.. evan, i never thought i’d see you again– how are you, what–?”
“i’m a trapped soul because of you, michael. i’m stuck here in this ghostly prison until i’m freed.”
michael stood to his feet and stared at his younger brother, shaking. he began to choke on his own tears as he tried to muster up the words he wished to say for so, so many years,
“evan, i’m so sorry. ever since your birthday i’ve done nothing but lock myself away. lizzy’s dead, father keeps coming back– it’s just been me. i fucking wish i wasn’t so stupid that day, i wish i never put you in that fucking bear’s mouth. i wish i didn’t murder you. i regret so much evan, i regret it all, yet nothing i do makes it any better. i’ve been spending the rest of my life avenging the souls father stole, i-i died, yet i’m alive, but as a corpse.. i never thought i’d see you again evan, i’m so sorry… words can’t bring you back or undo my actions, but i will free you if it’s the last thing i ever do, i promise. i swear on whatever i am that i will set you free. i love you ev, so much.” each syllable came out shaken and he fell back to his knees, covering his face with a hand.
gregory and freddy stood behind him, allowing the two brothers the chance to reunite and speak after years of not seeing each other, one believing the other was gone for good, the other loathing them.
“i’ve spent every single second of every single year trapped in that golden prison hating you with every bone in my old body. i hated you, i loathed you, i wished the worst things upon you, yet here you are. in front of me. apologizing like a pathetic puppy.” evan paused, staring michael dead in the eyes with a look that could kill.
“things really never change, do they?”