Page 25 of Awry
“I told you to leave, Presh,” I say gently.
She lowers her voice in a whisper.“It was Rath who made me go back.”
“What?Why?”
She shakes her head, not offering any further insight into whatever conversation took place with her brother — who should have demanded that his little sister race toward safety while I was being rebooted on the beach.“You were still dead, I thought.But you had … healed?”
I nod, not offering any clarification.Mostly because even though I know my aunt also had the ability, I’ve never seen anyone else do what I can do.
“How long … that wasn’t the first time that had happened to you.You said … you said it was taking too long … and then you didn’t expect for it to happen so quickly?I mean, for you to wake up so quickly?”
I think about that for a while, but the memories surrounding my deaths are indistinct.More than hazy.Especially the first time it supposedly happened, thirteen years ago now.Of that I have no memory, only my aunt’s recounting.Even she hadn’t known I would revive, hadn’t known I was Everlasting like she was.She thought I was actually dead.
I could pontificate about why the universe brought me back, but I don’t.Because it just is.
“The … healing … of my physical body happens quickly.”I’m not actually certain that using the term healing is correct.When it happens, I’m just suddenly whole again, but that process drains me in other ways.Normally, I would sleep for three days at minimum, but gaining back the weight and the energy drain could take weeks.Will take weeks.“But we need to keep moving, okay?I’m semifunctional now, but might not be for much longer.”
Presh swallows, possibly stifling her next follow-up question.But then she dials the phone and switches it over to speaker.
Rath answers on the fifth ring.“You’re there?”
“We’re walking the last bit,” Presh says.“The car died.”
“Send me a screenshot of your current location on the map, then keep moving.I’ll have someone pick up the car.”
“How much longer, Rath?”Presh asks, practically pressing her lips against the phone even though she has it on speaker.
“I’m … I’m sorry, Presh, I’m at least an hour out,” he says, sounding like a caring brother for a moment.“I … we ran into a bit of interference.”
Presh’s hand shakes.“Dad?”
“No,” he says gruffly.It’s instantly obvious that there are things he doesn’t want to discuss within my hearing.And that’s fine by me.It’s not my business.I’m in this moment for Presh, and Presh only.“You know he can’t cross the border.”
She huffs at him, annoyed.“You know what I mean.”
“Room five,” he says instead of answering her.Again.“The door will be unlocked.Get in.Lock the door behind you.There’s a gun taped under the side table.Then text me.”
“Yeah, yeah,” she says almost playfully.
I’ve never had a sibling or even a cousin close to me in age, so maybe this is just typical relationship dynamics between an older brother and a younger sister.Of course, that younger sister has just been through some major shit, so maybe Rath’s reaction has been mild.So far.
Or maybe he’s barely hanging on, and I should expect him to explode all over me when he finally shows up.
“Reck might get to you first, and …”
Presh waits for Rath to finish the sentence.But when he doesn’t, she says, “He’s seriously pissed?”
“Yeah … but not at you.”
Something is hidden in the pause between ‘yeah’ and ‘but.’It tickles my awry senses, as if I shouldknowwhat is going on.With this situation?Or with this family?
I don’t.
“Okay.”
“Just … keep the gun near.”
She huffs again.“I know.”
