The Second Chance (Open Novella Contest)

Chapter 12 - Eva and the Boy

Eva dropped the girl and they both crumbled to the floor. Both cradled their heads in their hands. I shifted uncomfortably, feeling like a very awkward third wheel.

"Um-" I started, but Eva struggled to her feet.

"C'mon." She said, "Sobbing won't bring him back."

"No." The girl agreed, "But it makes me feel better and worse at the same time."

"How?" Eva asked hesitantly, "How did it happen?"

"Also," I interjected, "What's your name? Uh, and when did you die?"

The two girls gave me a joint dirty look. The girl turned away from me.

"I don't know my real name. The one my mother gave me. The one that they gave me at the orphanage was Millie. I died when I tried to get back to the mother I never knew."

"But if you were at an orphanage, then your mother would have been dead, relight?"

Millie shook her head. "That wasn't how it worked back then." She said darkly, "They took me from my family."

"Oh, Millie. I'm so sorry." Eva said, her hand flying up to cover her mouth.

"Nah, it wasn't your fault. You didn't steal my childhood."

"What happened to him then?" Eva asked, "You never answered my question."

"It was brave." Millie promised her. "He distracted that - that thing, so I could kill it. He-"Millie broke down again. "It's all my fault!" She managed between sobbs.

"No." Eva said. "It wasn't. It was mine."

"Um. How was it your fault exactly? Last time I checked, you were either with me, or about to be eaten." Millie gave me a strange look, and I added hastily, "Long story."

"No kidding." Millie said. "And Eva, what do you mean it was your fault?"

"I- well-" She stuttered. "It's a long story."

I crossed my arms. "Well, I'm not getting any older." I turned to look at Millie. "Are you?"

"Well, chronologically, no and biologically, that's impossible

"Does it have something to to with your past life?" I asked Eva.

Eva sighed. "Well, I guess I couldn't keep it secret forever. Ethan and I, the boy, used to be best friends. In fact, we were inseparable. I had no idea-" She started to cry.

"I'm so sorry" I said.

"No, it's fine." She replied. "I- it's just a bit hard to talk about." She took a deep breath, and there was a beat of silence as she composed herself. "Sorry."

"Don't be," Millie said, putting a hand on Eva's shoulder. "This stuff is hard to talk about."

Eva nodded, took another deep breath, and started again. "I had no idea he was dead. I mean, he couldn't not be, but- it was a shock, that's all. He looked almost identical to the last time I saw him. I wish I'd had time to say sorry."

"For what?" Millie shot me a dirty look. "What!?"

"One morning, we had an argument. I told him that I didn't like him and never wanted to see him again. That afternoon..." She trailed off.

"You died." I finished for her. Millie and Eva double death stared me again. "What!?"

Millie muttered something under her breath.