"My sister may not always be at my side, but she is always in my heart." - Unknown

When Auggie came home from Ava's, he knew immediately that something wasn't right. He saw his parents at the dining table, their hands clasped together tightly. His father's face had devastation written clear on his face, he seemed to have aged a decade somehow. His mother was just staring straight ahead with lifeless eyes.

"Mom? Dad?" What's wrong?" Auggie didn't know why but there was an unsettling feeling in his gut that just wouldn't go away.

Cory looked at his son with bloodshot eyes. How was he going to tell his little boy that his sister was no longer living? "Auggie," Cory's voice cracked with emotion, "there's something we need to tell you. It's about Riley."

The feeling in Auggie's gut intensified. He felt sick and he didn't even know what happened yet. "What is it? Is Riley okay? Where is she?" Who knew that such small, innocent questions could have such devastating answers.

Taking a deep breathe, Cory tried to get the words out. "Riley is... she..." Try as he may, there was a lump in his throat that prevents him from speaking.

"Riley is gone." For the first time in hours, Topanga spoke. Her voice was hoarse and emotionless. "And she's never coming back."

"What do you mean she's gone? Where is she? Riley would never just leave us. She loves us too much to leave." Auggie didn't understand. What do they mean she's never come back?

"Riley is dead."

Those three words hit Auggie like a train. "I don't understand," His voice broke as tears welled up in his eyes. "Riley can't be gone. She's young and healthy. She promised that she would always be there for me. Riley promised me and Riley never breaks a promise."

Cory and Topanga felt their already broken hearts shatter into pieces as they listen to the little boy who just lost his sister. Both didn't know what to say. No words could ever lessen the pain of losing someone you love. All they could do was hold him in a tight embrace. The parents held their son in their arms as they all felt a sorrow so strong that it felt like a part of them was dying inside.

When night came and the moon shined brightly in a starless sky, Auggie sat alone in his room with a letter in his hand.

Dear Auggie,

I can't tell you how sorry I am for putting you through this. I know you're confused and this can't be easy for you. I hope you know that I love you, Auggie. You are the best little brother a girl could have. I never want you to doubt that.

I'm sorry that you didn't have the big sister that you deserve. We both promised to always be by each other's side. I broke the promise that we made to each other.

I know you're wondering why this happened. I guess the only way I can explain this is by saying that I've been fighting a war. A war that raged inside of me. There were these monsters that lived in my mind and they were destroying me. You have to believe that I fought as hard as I could to win. I really did. But I lost. I lost because I was tired of fighting this battle alone. I lost because the pain was too much. I lost because I wasn't strong enough.

I'm sorry. I can't say it enough times. I'm sorry that I won't be able to see you grow up. I'm sorry I won't be able to see you graduate. I'm sorry that I won't be there when you get married and have kids. I'm sorry I won't be by you side anymore. I'm sorry that you're suffering because your sister was weak. I'm sorry.

I know I've hurt you but there's something you need to do for me. I need you to live your life as best as you can. I need you to live a happy and fulfilling life. I need you to live with no regrets. Graduate, get your dream job, get married, have a family, and enjoy the life that you've been blessed with. I need you to do this for me because you deserve to be happy.

I love you, Auggie. Never forget that.

Your big sister, Riley Matthews.

Tears ran down Auggie's face when he finished reading the goodbye letter. His sister was really gone. He remembered when Mrs. Svorski had died. It had hurt but he had his parents and sister who helped him through it. Now, it was Riley who he would never see or talk to again. She no longer can comfort him and his parents were also consumed by their own grief.

"Hey, Mrs. Svorski. It's been awhile. I don't know if you know this or not but Riley has joined you up there in the sky. Can I ask you for a favor? Please, take care of her. Keep her happy. Make sure that she's never feels like she's ever alone again. Please. I don't want her to suffer anymore." He begged.

When the only response he got was silence, Auggie decided to talk to the person he wanted to see the most. "Riley, I miss you. I hope that you know that I love you too. I hope that wherever you are, you aren't alone. I hope that you're find the peace that you couldn't find here."

A/N: I'd love to hear your thoughts on this chapter. This was a bit difficult writing. Did anyone else get a bit emotional reading this?