leaving

She stands at the door, watching him pack the last of his bags. He's leaving for another city, one that's far away from here. She feels a pang of sadness, of loss. They've always been close, despite their age difference. She's the older sister, the one who's always looked out for him. Now he's leaving, and she's not sure how to feel. She's happy for him, happy that he's found a new job, a new life. But she's also sad, sad that he's leaving her behind. She thinks about all the times they've spent together, all the memories they've made. She thinks about how much she'll miss him. He looks up, catches her eye. 'Hey, sis,' he says, smiling. 'I'll be back soon.' She smiles back, trying to reassure him that she's okay. But she's not okay. She's scared, scared of being alone, scared of losing her brother. She takes a step forward, hugs him tightly. 'Be safe,' she says, her voice barely above a whisper. He hugs her back, holds her close. 'I will,' he says. 'I promise.' And with that, he's gone.