My family.
How can I not even remember their faces properly?
They’re a blur. A shadow. Black fucking smoke.
Is that what’s been wrong with me all this time? The itch, the nightmares, all the triggers have been a way to make me remember, weren’t they?
So why the hell can’t I remember them?
I come to a screeching halt, catching my breaths. My heart thunders in my chest in that irregular, frightening rhythm.
The heart that Jonathan saved just so he can destroy me when I’m older.
The heart that was shot at.
Who shot me? Who the hell would shoot a seven years old girl?
The rain blurs my vision. The buildings surrounding me start to double then to triple.
I lean against a wall, breathing harshly.
I don’t feel so good.
My heart beats so fast. I take deep inhales and release long exhales.
It’s not working.
&
nbsp; I reach for my phone, then stop. I left the backpack with my phone in it at home.
With trembling hands, I push my hair back and try to walk. I stumble and nearly fall. I clutch the wall with stiff, wet fingers.
I search around me, but it’s deserted, probably because of the rain.
A buzz goes off in my ears and my eyes flutter closed. I lean against the wall, inhaling heavy choked breaths.
“Crybaby.” Eli’s voice rings in my head. “Come with me.”
My heartbeat slows down until it’s no longer scary but it’s also not there either.
“Why did you go, Eli?” I whisper and I feel like that six-year-old girl whom he released her hand. “Why did you leave me alone?”
“I didn’t leave you alone, crybaby. Another Eli came.”
“Another Eli?”
“Shh.”
His voice drifts and so does his image. I try to catch him, but he turns into smoke.
Eli…
Tears rim my eyes and I fall.
Or I think I do. Someone clutches me before I hit the ground.
Strong arms surround me, lifting me off the ground.