SHOW ME HOW

Chapter 2

Exhaustion weighed heavily on me after we returned home from our visit to the graves, and I ended up sleeping through the entire day yesterday. Mom, still off from work, ensured we were well cared for, but this morning, she had to return to her job.

Despite the rest, fatigue still lingers. That day at the graves was more emotionally and mentally taxing than I thought.

It's heartbreaking to think that, if not for the accident, we would have been a much larger family—three more siblings and a father by our side. I once asked Elijah if he had any memories of them, given that he was a few years older than me, but he admitted he recalled nothing. If only the witch had given Mom some pictures, something for us to hold onto, a way to put faces to the stories she's told us. But there's nothing—just words and the ache of what could have been.

"Devin," Elijah's voice rang out from the other side of my bedroom door. "Devi... Dev... Devin Moore... Miss Moore," he continued, punctuating his words with three firm knocks before barging in. Sometimes, I genuinely question whether he's an adult or a child trapped in a man's body.

"Just go away! I'm exhausted. Let me be," I groaned in frustration as I felt him rest his head on my back. I had been awake for a while, but I wasn't ready to deal with noise yet. As much as I loved him, his energy could be overwhelming, and right now, the disturbance was more irritating than endearing.

"Get up already! You're not staying home today while Mom's at work—so move it!"

"But I love my bed, Eli" I quipped.

"You're seriously choosing this uncomfortable bed over me? You do realize I'll be leaving in just a few days, right?" he said, his words laced with just enough guilt tripping to push me into going along with his plan.

"Yeah, I know," I exhaled heavily, conceding without a retort, unable to find a comeback for that one.

"Ben's dad let us use his boat for the day, and there's no way I'm leaving without you," he declared, with his fingers busy typing on his phone

"But mom..."

"But Mom, nothing. I already told her I'm taking you with me, and she agreed—especially since you've been stuck in this house all holiday. She even packed your meds and everything you'll need, so there's no backing out. I promise, you're going to have a peaceful day with us," he insisted.

"What if I end up getting sick while we're out there?" I asked, knowing the risk was real. It had only been a few weeks since my last treatment, and my immune system was still far from its best. At this point, even the smallest thing could trigger an infection.

He let out a sigh before replying, "Then I'll make sure to get you to the hospital if needed. Yes, you're sick, but that doesn't mean you should let it define your life or hold you back. You're still here, Devin—you need to live, to make the most of every single day." His words carried both exasperation and a playful insistence, determined to push me forward.

I held back the urge to argue, biting my tongue before I could snap back. "Okay, just go so I can get ready," I relented, knowing full well he wouldn't stop nagging until I agreed.

"Be ready in twenty," he commanded, heading out of my bedroom without waiting for a response.

Ben, Elijah's closest friend, is a tall, blond-haired guy from an upper-middle-class background. Like Eli, he's pursuing architecture in Italy.

I rolled out of bed, went through my usual morning routine, and slipped into a black one-piece swimsuit. To complete the look, I paired it with light-wash denim shorts and a white t-shirt, casually tucking the front into my waistband. Before heading out, I packed a bag with extra clothes and a hoodie—one I 'borrowed' from Elijah's collection. After all, you never know when the weather might decide to change.