Until We Fly: The Guardian Legacy

Chapter 31: Go Home

-James-

Jasper sat there with her arms crossed as Ren refused to move from right beside her.

She looked grumpy while he looked happier than ever.

Blank was opening the windows to let the moonlight shine in.

"Why don't you just turn on the lights?"
I asked.

"Unnatural light is obnoxious. Blank does not approve of it at all."

And she was talking differently again...why was she so weird?

Blank stared up into the sky silently for a few moments before turning around again.

"Ren, Jasper? Could you leave for a moment please? Blank needs to speak with James."

"Sure thing, boo. Come on, Kîna!"

"Hey! Ren, no!"
Jasper yelled as Ren lifted her up and carried her over his shoulder.
"Ren, put me down or I swear I'll-"

"Quiet now, sweetie. The grown-ups are talking."

Jasper growled and crossed her arms as he walked out.

Ren was cool.
I'd have to talk to him properly sometime.

"Those two really are a pair...so, you wanted to talk?"

I turned around to see Blank had closed the curtains and was lighting various candles scattered around her room.

"...Blank?"

"Sit down, please. I'll just be a moment."

With a raised eyebrow and curious thoughts, I sat down on the edge of her bed, patiently waiting as the room gently grew brighter and brighter.

Blank paused in front of me for a moment before sitting down, cross-legged on the floor and staring straight up at me with her one, vanilla eye.

"...uh, Blank? You okay?"

"I'm going to say something and you're going to react. I will watch the reaction then form a sensible judgement. Are you ready?"

"S-sure, I guess..."

What on earth was going through her head?
Sensible judgement?

Blank took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"James...I'm sorry...but she won't make it..."

I froze.

How could she know that?
How did she know that?!

Blank opened her eyes and stared at me again.

"...well?"

"H-how do you-"

"Why don't those words echo through your mind anymore, James?"

"I don't understand."
I shivered. I was starting to feel very uncomfortable.

"You've had no reason for your grief to end. You were so attached, refusing to let go for so long. Why did that change? Why did that love for your sister disappear so suddenly?"

"I...I don't..."

"It was the little boy who got peace. Jake who's grief should have ended. But there was nothing for you. It's as if you simply...grew tired of it. Decided you didn't want to care anymore. Something changed when Jüx was around. Is that true, James?"

"N-no! She was my sister, of course I'm still grieving!"

"Then what about your mother?"