New Age

Broken Heart

I spent my days getting stronger. I had a week left before I left for training. When I wasn't running or doing push ups until I passed out, I spent my time with Max. We didn't do much. We usually sat on this big hill on the edge of town. It's weird, we don't talk. We just sit there. For hours, sometimes. The only conversation we had on the hill consisted of promising each other to stick together after we left. I felt different promising something so serious to a boy I barely knew. If I trusted him, it didn't matter. I do trust him. Sometimes when we're on the hill, I can't help but think of how beautiful our world is. About my friends and family, and all I'm leaving behind. I think about how scared I am that I will be alone in my new home, and how afraid I am to die.

*Max's point of view, two days earlier*

Without these days, I wouldn't feel human. I would feel like a monster. The only time I can relax and take it all in is when I'm on this hill with her. When she's completely broken and vulnerable, and I'm here to keep her safe. To hold her as she sobs uncontrollably. She doesn't want me to, but I do anyway. She'll thank me for it someday.

*Lyla's point of view, present day*

I entered the gym, unsurprisingly alone. I walk to the far end where there's a door with a full court on the opposite side. I ignore all the high-tech equipment that basically did all the work for you. It's hard to find Old Age 'sports' materials and locations, but I'm lucky to not have to go far. I swing open the door and step inside, closing it behind me. I turn on the lights, watching them blink on one at a time. I do my warm ups slowly, knowing I have all the time in the world. No one will bother me here, or even think to find me here.

After three hours or so of intense sweating and practicing, I head back to our house. I'm barely able to walk to the doorway without collapsing of exhaustion. I move to call a transporter when I realize I left my phone at home for privacy. I sigh as I collect myself for the long walk home.

*Max's point of view, present*

I was on the verge of losing hope. We were never going to find her. I tell the driver of the Transporter to turn around and head back to our original destination. When her parents told me she'd been gone for hours, I launched into an immediate search. I lean back and look out one of the windows, feeling defeated and scared. She could be dead by now, or worse. I was so worried I almost missed seeing a person walking down the street. I tell the driver to stop and am out the door while the transporter was still in motion.

"Lyla?" I yell as I run towards the person. The girl turns around and I'm relieved to see her green eyes widen at my appearance. I run up to her and wrap my arms around her shaking body, picking her up and carrying her to the transporter. She was fast asleep by the time we settled inside. I hold her until we get back to her house, washing off her face and giving her bags to the driver to carry. I walk in the door carrying her and am met by gasps from her family. Her father takes her from me and carries her into another room, I assume hers.

"What happened to her? Where was she?"

"I found her walking down the sideway, she was fainted as soon as I got near her. I don't know where she was, she had these bags with her- here." I reach for the bags and dismiss the driver. As soon as I get a proper look at the bags I know what they are. I hand them to her mother and walk towards the direction she was taken in. I go to the door at the end of the hallway that her father was exiting.  

"What happened?" 

"I think she exhausted herself. She was carrying her sports bag with her." 

"She needs rest, then." He ushers me back to the living room, where we waited for what seemed like forever.

It took her two hours to wake up. We heard her calling for her mom and dad from the bedroom and they immediately rushed in. I waited in the living room, not wanting to intrude. Both her parents enter a minute later, telling me that she wants to see me.  

I stand up and nod to her parents and make my way into her room. The walls were a light green, almost white. It was organized, nearly too organized, then I saw the open doors to at least three closets and a bathroom off to the side. The walls had video pictures every few feet or so. My attention was drawn to the bed as she sat up and smiled.  

"You found me?" I smile in response. She already knew the answer.  

"Max." Her smile faded and her stare was fixed with severity instead. "Thank you. Who knows where I would be right now without you. I just had to get it all out. I had to move. To feel strong. I'm sorry." I move to her side and sit at the edge of the bed by her pillow.  

"Don't apologize. I understand." She lays back down and closes her eyes.  

"Stay with me for a minute." 

I sat there next to her, her hand resting by my side. Every now and then it would twitch. I waited for a few minutes before asking what I'd been wondering since she told me what she did.  

"Why did you really do it?" 

She answered almost immediately with "Can you tell my parents to bring in some food and water please?" I got up to fulfill her request and was almost to the door when she answered my question.  

"Because my heart is broken, and I don't know how I'm going to do this." I bow my head in sadness and exit the room, closing the door behind me.

I did this to her. I made her who she is. I had no choice.

I did it, and I was going to be the one to make it right again.