The Day(s) I Died {Book 1 - Completed}

8

wabbit

(adj.) exhausted or slightly unwell

***

I am used to running.

After all, what else describes the lives I've experienced so far? State to state, city to city, blonde hair to red, and so on.

Not only am I used to it, I'm good at it. It has become my second nature to emerge in a city, find a job, stay until I wind up dying again, and then leave as soon as I wake up alive once more.

Selah, of course, has changed my routine in more ways than one.

First and foremost, I am inwardly hoping that I don't get killed anytime soon. Even though some of my actions invite trouble, I am sincerely trying to stay alive and soak up what I can of the time I have left with the kid.

Second, I am making connections, which is a strange, almost out-of-body experience for me. I've grown so used to staying off the radar and remaining unseen that having a pseudo-sister sends a strange warmth to my limbs.

The change that I am experiencing now is that, instead of running away from a place I have lived in after dying, I am running towards my apartment, praying that Selah is alright and the extra time with Abel hasn't impacted her negatively.

It is a different sort of running than I have been accustomed to, but it is almost nice. Besides Bean, I've never had someone to care for, and there is a proud sort of responsibility that comes with knowing that someone relies on you.

And yet, when I finally push open the door to my apartment, step inside, and halt in my tracks, I have to try and remember why I ran here from work.

The apartment is relatively silent, and I find Selah and Abel standing the kitchen peacefully. Abel is stirring something atop the stove, and Selah is settled on the island, her long legs dangling off the counter as she watches her brother's back with a soft smile.

"—remember that," Abel is saying, his voice touched. "Even I forgot about it."

"I never forgot," Selah replies firmly. "I never forgot anything about you."

Abel turns away from the stove then, and even though I cannot make out his features since Selah's figure is now blocking most of his, I am sure he is somber. "I never forgot anything about you either, Se. I'm sorry it took me so long to come back to you."

"It's alright. Vivian told me that you never forgot about me, and I knew you'd come back eventually."

There is raspy chuckle, and I have to stop myself from gawking. Who knew Abel actually possesses normal, human emotions?

"For once," he acquiesces, "Vivian is right. I never forgot, Se."

There is a light sniffle from Selah, and then she wraps her arms around his neck and tugs him forward; Abel hesitates for only a second before he returns the tight embrace, and I swallow thickly at the sight.

(I have never understood the word "bittersweet" as well as I do in this moment.)

I let them hug for a bit longer before stepping closer and dropping my purse on the floor noisily. "Hey," I greet, my grin turning the slightest hint wicked when Abel immediately pushes away from Selah and returns to the stove, no doubt unhappy that I caught him in such a vulnerable position. "You better not be burning anything."

"Vivian!" Selah greets me, hopping down from the counter and bouncing over to me. "Abel is making chili, and I made cornbread; I told him you like spicy food, so he'll add some extra seasoning to your bowl when he finishes."