The Time We Have Left

Chapter 6: To Run Out Of Time

(Previous Chapter: I didn't get much sleep last night. I woke to a tapping on my shoulders. Matthew stood over me, smiling widely. "Matthew please stop being a creep." I said, and pulled the blanket over my head. I heard Hope giggle from the doorway, and I remembered what she said last night before she left. "That's ridiculous.", I remembered her saying. It was like she thought it was so uncanny; so unthinkable. Why am I still thinking about this? I thought, frustratedly.

"Aidan, I made you breakfast." Hope said.

"I'm not hungry, and I want to sleep." I said, grumpily.)

Chapter 6: To Run Out Of Time

"It's the acceptance of death that has finally allowed me to choose life." ~ Elizabeth Lesser

"I'm not hungry." I said. Hope eyed me suspiciously. I didn't want her to ask me what was wrong, so I got up anyway. Why did this upset me anyway? I didn't love her... Did I? 

We all went downstairs without saying a word. The table was already packed with bacon, eggs, hash browns, sausages, and bread. I sat down. Well, now i'm hungry, I thought. It all looked and smelled delicious. I began eating, and Hope and Matthew joined me.

Matthew brought several clear bags to the table. He had on gloves and held tweezers. "Matthew, what on earth...?" Hope asked, her face twisted. Matthew chuckled. "I'm collecting DNA." He explained, knowingly. I suddenly felt very invaded. Is that why he was always in my closet?

"I'm going to kick you out." I told him. He chuckled again. "Oh? But you want me here." he said, confidently. I stayed quiet. Why did I let him stay? I thought. He had already done what he wanted, so he actually didn't need to be here anymore. I told Hope I wouldn't become close to anyone any more, and now I was allowing myself to associate with him. 

Matthew laughed awkwardly. "Aidan, I was only kidding..." He said, staring at me. I nodded, but I wasn't entirely listening. He shook me. "Aidan, snap out of it. I was kidding." He said.

I closed my eyes and put a forkful of eggs in my mouth. "I know." I said. But this actually really bothered me. I didn't want friends. I didn't want to get close to anyone. It's bad enough that I couldn't tell when Hope was going to die. 

"Anyway... what are your plans for today?" Hope asked me. I shrugged. Did I have to have a plan for everyday? I just wanted to sleep.  "Let's go to the playground." Matthew offered. I looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Why?" I asked. Not many people  actually went there besides me, which is exactly why I went there often. Matthew only stared at me with a suspicious face. I sighed. 

Hope forced awkward laughter. "Anyway, there's this abandoned garage..." She said, smiling. 

"No." Me and Matthew said in unison. She busted out laughing. "Cowards." She said. "I'm not a coward... I just don't want my numbers to lower before it should." Matthew defended. 

Hope laughed, "Cowards." She repeated. I sighed. "Fine," I said. "Let's go now."

I stood up and I could feel the two of them staring at me intently, as if to say, "What's gotten into him?"

I went outside with Hope and Matthew, and Hope led the way to the alleged abandoned garage. I didn't see the point to going, everyone went to abandoned areas for fun... but I didn't believe in the paranormal because I've looked death in the eye so many times. It was as if death was the only thing I've known better than life, I didn't believe in an inbetween. But, I felt like I needed to go, and I didn't know why... So I decided to see what was up with the place, though it seemed ridiculous.