Burn - New Moon

2 - The Land of Memories and Sin

A wary eye cracked open at the sound of nature being so close. Sunlight crept in from a window across from her as she became more aware of where she was. A room with sage green walls and boxes stacked upon boxes. The window that leaked sunlight had yet to own a curtain but the view from where she lay was magnificent. Other than the coloured walls, the stacked boxes and the bed she rest on, the room seemed to be empty.

A slight knock came from the door that lead to the rest of the house. Still staring off into the world outside, Everly mumbled a small "come in". The latch clicked open, yet the body stayed standing in the doorway.

"Hey little Myiingan", a soft familiar voice whispered. Her grandfather, Calin Uley, had always had silly names like those for Everly and Octavia. Everly was his little wolf (Myiingan) and Octavia was his bear cub (Koda). The old nickname brought her comfort, reminding her of times when everything was perfect. When both of her parents were still alive.

Not gaining any type of response, he inched further into the room and gently sat down on the edge of the bed. From where he sat he could now see the void look in his granddaughter's eyes as she gazed out the window.

"No matter how hard you stare out that window, it's not gonna bring him back, Ev", he places a gentle hand on her arm. "You're here now, and that's all that matters at the moment". A pause of silence, and then a sharp inhalation of breath can be heard from Everly.

"What I'm I supposed to do?", voice cracking, Everly's brow furrowed and her lips pursed.

"You go on. Just as your mother and father would have wanted you to. You need to live your life as if they were here. It's what they would have wanted."

Shaking her head furiously, Everly finally moved to sit up. The most emotion she had shown all day. "How would you know what they would have wanted? Huh?! They're not here so you can't know." She struck a glare at her grandfather.

"Because they were my family too", Everly glanced up to see the pain in her grandfathers eyes. With a sigh, she leaned her head in his shoulder. Things were different now, and they were never going to be the same.

***

Everly hadn't moved from her bed in days. Other than occasionally using the bathroom, she stayed exactly where she was, still staring out of the window. Her grandfather and Octavia would bring her food but she wouldn't eat. It had only been two weeks since the funeral and Everly didn't know what to do with herself. She had lost her favourite person and now she was suffering.

"Alright, get up!", Octavia storms into Everly's room and catapults herself onto the depressed girl. Groaning, Everly slaps her sister harshly. "I'm not going to let this go on any longer. You're going to get out of that bed, have a shower - because GIRL you stink - and go for a run".

To anyone else going on a run would be torture, but Octavia knew her sister well enough that any form of physical activity would get her mood up. Everly was always one for sports. Running track and swimming were her biggest strengths. Octavia on the other hand, she was easily found in the kitchen baking or watching the latest reality tv show. Polar opposites and yet the sisters could never be closer.

"Leave me alone", once again eyes not wavering from the foggy landscape.

"No, I won't. You have to start getting used to this place and what better way than going for a run, huh? Come on, you love running and there's more to see to this place than the trees outside your window", Octavia begged. "I'll leave you alone if you do."

That's what had convinced her. Octavia had been bugging her since they got here about checking the place out. Now given the chance, Everly was gonna take it. She loved her sister deeply, but god, she could be the most annoying person on earth sometimes.

So there she was, taking her first step outside in days and breathing the fresh air provided by the surrounding forest. Wearing a sports bra, running shorts and some running shoes, Everly enjoyed the way the cool air nipped at her skin. After a quick scan of her surroundings, she pressed the ear buds into her ears and pressed play.

She jogged towards the beach her parents used to take them as children, not too far from their grandfathers home. She didn't remember much, but what she did remember was the way her parents would set up a picnic on the wet sand on weekends and they would enjoy the crashing of the waves together as the two girls kicked a soccer ball around. Or when Billy Black and his wife would join them for afternoon tea with his son and daughters. Octavia was a big fan of having girls her age around while Everly usually hung with Jacob. He understood how she wasn't one for girly things like painting her nails or playing with dolls, no she and Jacob could never stay out of the mud.

He was her best friend. But now he wouldn't be anymore than a stranger. Then Bella would come around to the rez. Jacob insisted that they invite her to hangout with them but Bella was always an awkward child. Standing uncomfortably off to the side and not speaking very much. Everly didn't mind but something about the awkward silence she had about her annoyed the living daylights out of Everly.

Not long after Octavia had taken Bella under her wing and the two clicked immediately.

Soon Octavia's and Everly's mother had suddenly passed due to an animal attack and their father immediately packed them up and moved them to the other side of the country. She never knew why, just that her father was insistent that they never go back. Anytime she tried to ask he would just say that the place reminded him too much of their mother, but Everly knew that wasn't the case.

For ten years Everly was forced to miss her cousin Sam and her grandfather from a place she was forced to call her home. But she wouldn't have changed anything if she could have her father back.

Coming to a stop, her brain began to register the soft, wet sand beneath her feet and the freezing whip of sea breeze, stinging her face. Everly deeply inhaled, salt burning her nostrils and invading her senses. A feeling so pure yet so harsh. To Everly if felt as if God was punishing her. Because it was her fault. She blamed herself and he knew that. Now, it was time for her punishment.