The 4400 -- A Fragile Innocence

[A Moment In Subtext]

The 4400
A Fragile Innocence
By. A Moment In Subtext

He lies there, shuddering frequently, on what you both know will surely be his deathbed. His eyes are tearstained and bloodshot. You can't tell what color they are anymore; You're almost thankful. His skin looks clammy, too warm or too cold. He’s too young to look so old, to have seen so much.
You ask him again to reconsider, knowing that he won't. He's like you: stubborn; willing to die to save others. You know what he's doing is right. And deep inside, you're proud of him.
Now he's begging you: He's going to die anyway, can't you make it quick and painless? It’s the humane thing to do, you were always so will to help people. You could stop his suffering, and he wants you to. But you can't.
You're scared. So very, very scared of being alone, and irrationally you think: he's the only one you've got left. You don't want to let him go, and you're selfish. He's your brother, and you're being very selfish, but you're telling him no, no, no.
'Please,' he begs. 'I love you,' he says, and you hate him just a little bit for asking. You hate yourself more for giving in.