Timeless

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Seven

            I don’t think anybody in their right mind really anticipated this, and because of that, nobody really knew what to do or who to see or how to live. The parents haven’t gone to work, we haven’t gone to school; it seemed like everything and everyone was collapsing all around me.

            And it was because London Cole was gone.

            Even the thought doesn’t make sense, it’s like a steamy mirror. Unclear. You’d think it’d disappear over time, but somehow you just keep coming back to it.

            She wasn’t gone gone. I know London was still here somewhere. Just not here here. Physically. But she was still here in another world; her own world. One where many strange objects lie around everyday on damp, soft lawns. One where there was a room full of shirts she could smell and analyze all day long. One where she can run free and carelessly. I don’t know, I wanted to see where she was, if she was at least happy. I hoped she had friends, maybe weird and different friends, but I hoped she still saw us down here. Or over there. Wherever she had to look to see us. Gone-gone. Here-here. It was like a lullaby.

            I missed her. I missed her so damn much. I could physically feel something somewhere in my chest—probably my heart—being ripped out and clawed at over and over; a demon like Auburn’s playing with my insides. Now it was just aching. An abject aftermath. I hid away to my room, and Starburst was staying with Mason while our parents tried to sort out her situation at the hospital, if she needed to stay. I don’t think they were gonna keep her there.

            I needed London, I needed her back. Maybe she was right, maybe I didn’t “truly” love her, but I innocently, sweetly, and confusingly loved her. And that may be better than true love. And before I could fully say that I everything figured out, I knew exactly what needed to happen.

***

            I stayed over at Mason’s house. God, I’ll never get used that. I loved the dude, but it wouldn’t be “I’m going to London’s house” anymore. It would be Mason’s. I was sitting on the kitchen counter, staring at the cup of juice in my hand that Mason insisted I drink. I hadn’t been eating the past two days. Not because I didn’t want to, I just couldn’t bring myself to really engage in the activity. Mason was sitting with Starburst on the couch in the living room, sullen looks on their faces. London’s funeral was supposed to be in two weeks. I don’t think I could stand to go as they buried her beneath the Earth. Black, tears, prayers. It was Emily again but worse. London belonged above, with us. I looked over at my sister.

            I think it was safe to say that her and Ethan were definitely broken up, so her and Mason were gladly wrapped in each other’s arms, her head on his shoulder as he drew circles on her lower back comfortingly. It was more of a comfort to him though. Anna and Raven were in their rooms.

            Starburst looked up at Mason, another problem sadly being brought up as it had been in the past few days, “What if they don’t find Ethan? What if he comes back?” She asked. Mason looked down at her.

            “That’s not going to happen. I won’t let it happen.” Mason assured. I felt my stomach drop and my hand shake. I’d completely forgotten about Ethan’s whereabouts. Ethan. He caused everything, he caused this whole mess! Everything would’ve been fine had it not been for him! Starburst was scared, near to trembling in Mason’s arms, who was holding her firmly.

            “I’ll kill him if I see him again,” Mason confirmed, “with a gun.” He added once he saw Starburst’s semi-doubtful face. Starburst nodded, exhaustion seeming to take over, and laid back down on Mason.