The Center of Gravity

Episode 12: Forget It

"Rowin!" Cassius screamed.

     I kept running, cold air stabbing my lungs. How could I not remember the compass or Seth? Why hadn't I recognized him or the object as something familiar?

    I knew Seth and I had disrespected him terribly. How was I that inconsiderate? Even if he didn't know who he was, I had to apologize before--

    "Stop!" Cassius shouted desperately.

    I didn't obey, too driven to care. I didn't want him to have this power over me. His hand landed on my shoulder and I spun around to face him.

    "Let me at least apologize before he dies," I said in a low voice. "If you won't help us, at least let me try."

    His eyes grew hard as they searched my expression.

    "He will live," he said, "if you promise to give me the compass."

    "Why is it so important to you?" I raised my eyebrows, infuriated. "You practically promised his death to me!"

    "If you want him to live, let me keep it," he repeated, a dark expression crossing his face.

    I nodded. Cassius swallowed, then began running again, with me following.

» Day 61 «

    By the time we reached his house, I was trembling from exhaustion and the cold. It took all of my energy not to fall behind on our sprint to my side of the neighborhood.

    We stood in front of the house, me out of breath, Cassius simply content with gazing.

    "Remember, I get the compass, Rowin," he said quietly.

    My heart thudded in my chest. A shiver went down my spine and I merely glanced at him.

    I ran up the steps, flung open the door, and immediately proceeded to the second floor.

    "Seth!" I gasped when I reached the top. "Seth..."

    The door was still ajar, like I had left it. No sound or movement came from inside. I paused, looking behind to see Cassius patiently making his way up the staircase.

    I pushed my way in to see Seth laying on the bed in the dawn of day. His chest rose and fell sporadically, hands twitching by his sides. The paper still laid on the floor, sheets of it littering random spots.

    I climbed up onto the bed beside him and looked down at his face. His eyes were closed, skin pale, bones prominent. Cautiously, I placed my hand on his heart to feel it's slow beat, taking me back to the moment when I used the compass for the first time.

    Closing my eyes, I took a few deep breaths. Seth -- Stefen -- was a good person, even if I wasn't. Somehow, he managed to put up with me.

    A cold, but comforting, touch came to my fingers. I almost pulled away, but when I looked down I saw it was his hand.

    "You... Rejected me? So I really am a nobody to you?" he said slowly.

    My eyes went wide. We had witnessed the same memory.

    I opened my mouth to speak, but words failed me.

    His eyes searched mine and I felt all the more guilty, the feeling filling my chest with despair. Slowly, he smiled, wincing a bit as he did.

    "Not anymore," I whispered, leaning close to him. "You are somebody-- you always were. I was just too foolish to see it."

    "Where's the compass?"