Unstoppable: Revitalized

-27-

How am I supposed to explain this one..?

Thankfully, the streets were still empty: We must've fought throughout the school rush hours, leaving most places barren and quiet. We didn't need the attention, as I looked like I'd been dragged through a brick wall backwards, and Poppy looked like an addict, itching for their next fix.

Speaking of addicts...

"What's happening with the drug situation at school?" I asked, trying to keep some form of conversation going to distract how ruined I felt.

"I- I'm not going back. Never. The Boss will never, I'd- I'd rather die than-" She choked, catching a shaky breath and forcing her eyes to close, calm settling onto her soon after. "I'm not going back Adam. Never. I'd rather run to a different city."

"Couldn't you just... go home?" I let confusion speak for me, trying to figure her out. She wouldn't even look at me: She kept her eyes locked onto the distance, wide and unblinking.

"I have no house. No family. The Boss gave me a flat, but I'm pretty sure now that'll have someone inside, waiting to kill me. I'll have to move, or run... I don't know, I'll figure it out." 

Realising silence would be sweeter than listening to someone mad rationalise the irrational, I dropped everything. The pain in my chest was still there: It felt like a distant ebb now my adrenaline had worn off, leaving me with a slight grimace as we neared the house.

"I- I didn't- hurt you, right? I don't remember what happens when that- that thing comes out." Her eyes finally glossed me over, noting thought I looked battered, I wasn't openly hurt.

"I mean, yes, but... It doesn't matter. I- I heal. It's strange, I don't fully understand it, but all I know is once I die? I come back in one piece. It's been happening for a few days now. Nothing's-"

I seemed to stop, mid walk, my mind finally catching up with me, the pushing back I'd been doing kicking me in the chest as it all clicked together:

Nothing has, or will be, the same again.

"Are you gonna be okay?" I asked her as we came towards the door, ready to enter. She simply nodded, saving her words or energy. I didn't need to know. I opened the door, leaving it for Poppy, before heading straight to the kitchen. I filled two glasses with water, handing one to Poppy, before heading into the living room, the TV blaring out. Charlotte didn't even turn: She seemed completely engrossed in whatever was playing. I took a look, taking a seat as I watched in interest.

"Our top story today: A student, found dead at Moresby High, ran over by an empty car. The Caretaker found the body a few days ago, immediately reporting it to the police. The case is closed as a confirmed manslaughter. However, no witnesses nor suspects have been found. The car was found burned from the inside out. The police comment 'It's to remove fingerprints.' As for the victim? Sixteen year old Poppy Carlie. Her parents have cremated the body, and aren't taking questions. That's all from us, back to you."

I could hear the sobs coming from Charlotte as she turned to face me, probably to yell some form of curse at me for putting her in danger, before she stopped dead in her tracks, her mind struggling to compute what she saw. She flicked her eyes between us wildly, her mouth moving, but no words leaving her, before she crumpled into a ball, now crying. I nudged Poppy, who ran straight over to comfort her, as I headed back to the kitchen. Taking a seat, I noticed Callum had left a packet of cigarettes on the table, a lighter just next to them. 

It couldn't hurt. Literally, I'm immortal.

Taking them outside, I lit one up, taking a deep breath as I inhaled the smoke, the coughing following not nearly as long as before fading away. It seemed to stop my mind from screaming at me as I puffed away, getting lost in the silence that followed. The sky seemed a lot brighter than normal, clouds seeming to drift by faster and faster until I got to the filter. Flicking it into an empty plant pot, I took a deep breath, heading back in and seeing what state everyone was in. It was a lot calmer than I thought it would be. Charlotte and Poppy occupied one sofa, so I took a seat on an empty one, letting them talk for a while, before they both turned to me, questions on their minds.

"Is Poppy staying here?" Charlotte asked, knitting her hands together nervously. I could see both of them were fearful of my answer. Poppy wasn't even directly looking at me, seeming to find the floor more interesting than anything else.

I can't cast her out. It'd be more merciful killing her, and I've already done that. Plus, Charlotte would probably strange me in my sleep, and- It's a messy road. There's only one choice then, really...

"She's staying. Either you two share the bed, or have a sofa each. Talk to Callum about it. Tomorrow, we'll figure out something more permanent. Until then, I need to get some rest. I probably won't be awake for the rest of the day, fixing myself seems to take a while. Charlotte, can you show her where everything is?" I asked her, a scoff and a flick of her hair giving me a response.

"I'm not seven. But yeah, I can show her."

Choosing peace, I turned, heading up the staircase as they resumed whatever conversation seemed to interlope them both. I stripped off, jumping into the shower to clean myself and my head, before heading into my room. I took a few minutes to clean the place, keeping it neat for when I'd inevitably wake up in a messy state, before throwing some underwear on and climbing under the covers, sleep slowly sinking into me as I let go of today's troubles, my body finally giving in to my exhaustion.