I, Immortal

Chapter Thirty-Four

"Whatever it is, I don't want it."

Lulu stood at the door, bleary-eyed and in her housecoat. She blinked and stared at me. I stared back. Her skin seemed paler, clinging closer to her bones than the last time I had visited her. She blinked again. Her eyes grew wide. "Oh, I'm sorry, Xan. I didn't recognize you. There were some people knocking on doors earlier, selling stuff. I thought...This medication, it's -"

I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tight. Even through the thick robe, her shoulder blades jutted against my arms. I held her closer. If I loosened my grip, she might slip away. She patted my back; I imagined the confused smile on her face.

"You okay, Dumbo?"

Forcing myself to step back, I laughed and wiped at my eyes. "I'm fine. More than fine actually."

"Do you want to come in?"

Another chuckle. "Sure."

I followed her into the house, closed the door behind me and walked into the living room. A dim lamp served as the only light source in the room. The holovision stood disconnected on the cabinet. The room, the entire house held a somber air.

As if hearing my thoughts, Lulu turned on another lamp and smiled at me. "Sorry the house is so dark. Too much light makes my head hurt. Nick has become accustomed to doing paperwork in the dark."

"Ah." I said dumbly. I stood in the center of the room, trying to get my bearings. Ask her how she's been. Make small-talk. Sit down and have a conversation. Instead, I blurted out, "Lu, I have something that can cure you."

She stared at me. "What did you say?"

"I can cure you," I fished the vial out of my pocket, held it flat in my palm. The shimmery blue waves splashed against the glass. "With this."

"Cure me?" She replied with a look as if she didn't know she was speaking.

Joy bubbled inside me. "It's a new formula. Just one shot. That's all it will take."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll be cured. You'll never have to die."

"I'll be immortal?" I nodded excitedly, my thoughts racing. We'll be together. Nothing will take you from my life.

"I don't want it."

Her words cut through my joy like the sharpest knife. "W-what?"

Lulu sighed, stood as straight as she could despite the pain. "I can't do this, Xander."

I stood speechless, disbelieving. My heart had suddenly become heavy. How many people had wished for the power to save the ones they loved? I held this power in my hand. I could keep my world alive. I had the means to save her, yet she didn't want to be saved? "I can save you. I can cure you. I don't want you to...to leave."

She hinted a smile, her lips barely turned up at the corners. "Do you think I want to leave you? Do you think I haven't thought of all the futures I could have had, cried over them? Because I have. I have cried so, so much."

"Then why won't you let me do this?" I choked on my words; they tasted bitter in my mouth.

"You save me, then what? What do I do? I'm immortal, but what about Nick? Or Shauna? What about my friends, our family? Am I just supposed to watch them die?"