COMPLETED ☽༓☾ STARTED DECEMBER 2022
Many say your life flashes before your eyes at death.
Unfortunately, that's not how it was for me.
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Who would've thought a once-in-a-lifetime class trip could become a never-ending nightmare? Well, t...
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Every time the day reset in the past, it was sudden. It was like that split-second falling sensation you sometimes experience during sleep. Abrupt and harsh. However, this time, it was as though the universe calmly washed me onto a peaceful shore.
My alarm rings, which I usually despise, but this time, the simple hymn of my alarm feels almost angelic. It's one of the sweetest sounds I've heard.
I rise from my bed calmly, placing my feet on the fuzzy carpet. I turn off the alarm as laughter builds up inside me.
I have the impulse to touch and take in everything in my room. The dull walls, the posters strewn on my door, the clutter on my desk, and even the dust floating in the sun's rays. I want to cherish these things, knowing I might never see them again.
This loop is my last life, and if I don't make it through tonight, I will live it right.
I'm going to make today a worthy one.
Gratitude floods my senses as I tie my hair back, get dressed, and replace the clothes and books in my duffel bag with survival tools. I pack my old toolbox with wrenches and hammers, med kits, and some duct tape for good measure.
I swing the bag over my shoulder before heading downstairs. Once on the main floor, Elizabeth greeted me with her pancakes as usual. "Morning, Claire."
Still grateful and wanting to live this loop to the fullest, I walk up to Elizabeth and embrace her. "Someone's in a good mood," Elizabeth says in surprise. We haven't hugged in years, of course, not counting the mandatory birthday hugs.
"Love you, Mom," I say as I pull away. The words leave my lips, resonating in the air like a mist. I hadn't told Elizabeth that I loved her in so long.
Elizabeth smiles, almost baffled. "Where did this come from, Claire?" She asks, putting her half-eaten pancakes on the counter. I reply, "I'll tell you tomorrow, assuming there is one."
After my father's death, I wanted to hide from the world. I'd lock myself in my room and sulk, wishing it was me instead. I even fell into superstition to believe there was a good reason he died. I've taken Elizabeth's everlasting care for granted, but now, I'm determined to take back my life.
I wish I could hug Elizabeth forever, telling her how sorry I was for hiding away. If I had time, I would. I would sob away my sorrows while running my hands through Elizabeth's brown hair.
But unfortunately, I don't have time. I'm in my last loop, and this time I will save two lives: June's and mine.
I back toward the front door, taking one last look into Elizabeth's eyes, which resemble warm pools of honey. "I'll catch a taxi. See you later." I beam, walking out of the apartment with a sense of perseverance.
