Reaper's Touch

Hex: Daisy

"Everybody pretends that you only die once. But that's not true. You can die to a thousand possible futures in the course of a single, stupid life."
―Kate Bowler

"Finally made it home?" Ember asked as Hex closed the front door behind her.

It was late, and she could see that Cricket and West were both asleep in the bedroom. Ember was sitting on the couch watching TV in the dark. The volume was turned down almost all the way, with just the close-captions revealing what was being said. Hex took a seat beside her.

"So...?" Ember asked.

"So what?" Hex said.

She grinned, half of her face lit up blue in the TV light. "Did you guys do it at the bridge?"

"Do it? What are you, ten? Jesus Christ."

"I'm taking that as a yes."

Hex chuckled. "Well it's a no. I mean... mostly. Kind of."

"Kind of?"

"We fooled around a little, but no actual sex. We're saving that."

"That's adorable. Saving it for what?"

"For when the time feels right. It's kinda fun... waiting. Like the anticipation of it, you know?"

Ember shook her head. "Nah, I wouldn't know. West and I were fucking on, like, day one hour three. But can you blame me? Look at his fine ass over there."

Hex laughed, then covered her mouth to stifle the sound. "You're talking like me!"

"Maybe you're rubbing off on me. I'm becoming more like you," Ember said.

"That's bad news. Save yourself while you can!"

"Eh, It's not that bad being you. It's kinda fun saying whatever the hell's on my mind!"

"What are you watching anyway?" Hex asked, gesturing at the TV.

"Stupid reality show about these paranormal investigators."

Hex raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you believe in all that?"

Ember shrugged. "I keep an open mind."

"Speaking of the paranormal... did you ever have any weird dreams about Adam after he died?"

"Sometimes, I guess. I still do every now and then."

"Lately?"

"No, none lately. Why?"

Hex shook her head. "I just had a weird one last night. Felt very real. In it, he asked about Daisy."

"Daisy?" Ember asked softly.

Hex nodded. "I couldn't tell him..."

"That wasn't your fault."

"I just couldn't tell him," she repeated quietly.

"Hex, you don't believe that was your fault, right?"

Hex shrugged. "You had Cricket on a dirty bathroom floor, and he's perfect. I had Daisy in a hospital surrounded by doctors... and she's dead."

"Sometimes it happens that way. You can't blame yourself," Ember said gently.

"It's just one more thing I'll never forgive myself for," Hex said. "One more reason I'm not supposed to be a mom. Cricket was your destiny in a way. When Adam died, I thought Daisy would be mine. Like I was destined to raise and protect this perfect piece of Adam that he had left behind for me."