Without My Colored Glass Wings

Half Dead

Chapter 7- Half Dead

Darkness in Phynoisse was not something unusual from its residents but today was different. The stench of burning metal and the taste of blood mixing with the gust of wind, assaulting every senses of Aeshua but how? How could she even think about the sickening smell and view if this was the last time she could be with the only person who stood by her when everyone left and forgot her?

For hours, she sat there watching and balling her eyes out in silence. She tried to stay strong. She had to. Who will take care of Jim and the twins? She thought. Nana was the only living relative of the twins. By blood, Nana wasn't related with Aeshua but Nana's daughter was the one who saved Aeshua from that dreaded night. The night she was banished to Phynoisse.

Without a home and anyone to run to, Aeshua sat in the corner for days covered with dried up mud and moss. One night, Carmilla, Nana's daughter, just so happens to pass by coming home from her night shift in the Burner. She was surprised when what seemed to be a hardened lump fell down to the ground. She walked towards it cautiously only to find out it was a human. It was just a matter of time before Aeshua's light would have been knocked out and gone forever. She was lucky enough someone found her and attended to her.

Aeshua shuddered as the memories of her past flooded her mind, paralyzing her cognitive thinking. Her eyes widened and she stared blankly at the roaring flames consuming the last family she had.

Suddenly, she felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned her head and looked up. "Antonio.." At the first sight of Antonio, Aeshua's eyes were filled with tears, dripping simultaneously. She stood up and embraced him. She buried her face on Antonio's arms as she wailed, mourning for her Nana's death.

Antonio stood still. His mouth falls open but no sound can be heard. He could not comprehend the stinging pain in his chest nor the weakening of his knees. But he had to be strong. Aeshua would need someone by her side and it had to be him. He swallowed his adam's apple, holding back his tears from falling.

As soon as it was over, one of the employees handed Aeshua an urn. She took her in her arms as carefully as she could, like holding a baby in her shaky hands. She just kept her silence. She swayed as she walked out slowly and silently. Antonio held on to Aeshua, supporting her weight to prevent her from falling. The last time he saw Aeshua this blank was when she sent off Carmilla. Antonio was there. He watched as Aeshua's world crumbled apart but Nana was there. They shared each other's baggage. This time he promised to stay by her side.

Silence filled the air as they rode down back to Aeshua's house and as their motorbike passed, windows opened and their neighbors threw coins and rice, and slightly bowed their heads as a sign of respect for Nana. Everybody knew Nana. She was the eldest in their community. Funerals and burials were not a thing in Phynoisse. Bodies were burned since there were no plots for the dead.

Reaching their house, Aeshua would see from afar the twins sitting on the balcony. Her body stiffened. She clenched on Antonio's shoulder. Antonio felt the sudden pressure. He slowed down the motorbike.

"Do you want me to stop?" He quietly asked.

Tears once again dripped from Aeshua's eyes. She nodded. She could not stand to look at the twin's excited and innocent eyes. How could she tell them what happened to Nana?

"Okay. You don't need to speak. Let's go to---"

With her lips trembling and her voice quavering"No..." Aeshua sobbed. "Just give me a moment. The twins are waiting"

Antonio just nodded in response. He parked the motorbike on the side and acted as if fixing something on its rear while Aeshua faced backward from their house. Antonio handed her a scarf which she used to wipe her face. When Aeshua grinned and squinted her eyes. This was a signal to Antonio that they must go. They rode the motorbike once more and proceeded to the house.