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Seyeght (Part 28)

FRIDAY MORNING

I woke up midday, hearing voices from inside ringing out quite loudly. I checked the email before getting up and finding it empty. I groaned and sat up, rubbing my eyes at the same time as well. I hid everything again and slowly wandered into the kitchen. It was an unusual thing to not see sunlight illuminating the kitchen. Instead a dreary, bleak gray was pouring in, giving everything the same tint. Everyone in the room looked exhausted and lifeless. The kitchen light was on, hovering over the table and giving helpful light to the people there, who were examining one of the many maps. I assumed this one was a complete and well-marked one. I ignored them and went upstairs, gathering new clothes and getting into the shower. I didn't know how it worked, but no one seemed to notice the running water or any noise coming from the bathroom that wasn't me. I didn't question it, and I was just glad that I could stay clean.

                I came back out, feeling better physically but not mentally. I walked slowly, dragging my feet and dangling my arms lazily in front of me. My expression was tired, and I’m sure that if anyone saw me, they would cry out in surprise. I thought I looked like a corpse, personally. I once again thought of the exceptions to my ‘Trial’: The showing thing, no one noticed a huge quilt in the back of the Ford, or floating objects. And I could see myself in the mirror. I thought that one of the most strange, but, again, I didn't question. I was just thankful.

I took down my favorite cereal from the shelf, finding it almost empty. I scowled and poured myself a dry bowl, plopping on the couch and staring ahead of myself. After a bit, I heard Amy crying. I quickly tuned it out, as well as Mom and Dad going up to her: I didn't need to cry today. It was purposeless.

I jumped down and put my bowl in the sink, succumbing to old habits. I droned on, going out and standing on the back porch. The air smelled like rain, and I knew that it would soon. I looked at the yard blankly, noticing how everything looked grey and unhappy. Even the usually bright flowers looked dim. I sat down, leaning against the glass and wanting nothing more than for Mom to call me in, warning me that I would catch a cold. I smiled faintly. She would hustle me inside, and as it began to rain she would make us each a mug of tea. And we would sit on the couch, huddled under a blanket as she read to me out loud with the rain pounding on the roof above our heads. I found myself grinning for the first time in days. I got up and went back inside just as the first few drops began to fall. The table was empty, the map left open. I heard a car pull out of the driveway in front of the house and I looked around the house for extra people. I saw none. Only Mom, Dad and Amy were there, and they were all on the couch. Amy had that dumb rabbit in her arms, and Mom and Dad were on either side of her, embracing her. They just sat, staring blankly at a picture of me that they were holding as the rain picked up. I stood at the foot of the couch, teary and invisible to everything. I wanted to scream. I wanted to kick the couch, do anything to make them look away from my picture. I went in front of them and tried to take it out of their hands, but my own just went through it. I still didn't scream. I just stood, defeated and weak. I sat down on the floor in front of them, looking into my lap, and eventually falling asleep.