The Dead Among Us

57. Seven seconds

Fabia's POV

As Chief poses his question, the atmosphere turns icy and oppressive. Time seems to freeze around us all.

Even though I never met Bri, my heart aches right now.

Sabin's hand clamps over his mouth, his chin held tightly in his grip. Tears shimmer in his eyes as he steadfastly refuses to acknowledge the bag. The tension in the room is suffocating, the suspense almost unbearable.

"Please, just open it, Sabin," Chief mutters, his voice strained.

Sabin shuts his eyes, swallowing hard before speaking in a voice so low and unfamiliar that it barely seems like his own, "What does it mean if it's hers?"

I notice Pedro's been watching Sabin intently, but at Sabin's poignant question, his gaze shifts to Chief.

Hesitation flickers across Chief's features before he replies, "What do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean," Sabin retorts in a dark tone. His emotions seep into my soul, compelling me to place my hand on his leg for comfort.

Chief's eyes roam the room, taking in the entire family, including the children, all waiting with bated breath for his response.

When he refocuses on Sabin, he answers directly, "These belongings were found at the bottom of the cliff, in the rocks. It means... more than likely... she's gone..."

Sabin's entire body tenses, his unyielding gaze fixed on Chief, and his eyes seem to harden even more. Most significantly, he still refuses to look at the bag.

Out of the corner of my eye, I detect Benji rushing over, only to be intercepted by Jon, who swoops down to one knee and catches her before she can get too far. He lowers himself to her level, embracing her around the waist.

Returning my attention to Sabin, I see that he is still engaged in an internal struggle, too petrified to confront his worst fear.

But suddenly, his head dips toward Pedro. He doesn't say a word, and I can't see his face, but based on the look of understanding Pedro returns, I suspect I know what he is silently asking.

Pedro takes hold of the bag, bearing the deed his son can't summon the strength to fulfill. His hand trembles as he plunges it into the depths of the bag, shrouding the room in a heavy, anticipatory silence.

Slowly, his hand emerges, revealing a small chain necklace with a glimmering mood ring dangling from it. As the light catches the ring, it becomes evident to me that it belongs to Bri. The first giveaway is how Pedro's chest heaves with emotion as his eyes fixate on the necklace.

But the real giveaway is the sudden, primal, gut-wrenching "NOOO!!" that erupts from someplace deep within Benji's soul, shattering the stillness. Jon struggles to restrain her, but she's inconsolable, her anguished wails echoing off the walls as tears stream down her face.

Sabin, the third giveaway, sits absolutely motionless, his eyes filled with the unmistakable pain of a broken heart locked on the necklace. I don't even think he's breathing.

At once, he snatches up the necklace and bag and just marches out of the room straight out the front door.

I think to follow him when Pedro's hand thwarts my idea, gripping my arm. He speaks through a voice ladened with sorrow, his head down, "Give him time."

He's right.

Ultimately, Chief sees himself out, and when he does, Benji seems to have reached a breaking point.