The Day I Died

The Day I Watched Clouds

Chapter 25

The Day I Watched Clouds

Later that day, when Alice has gone home and Liam's Dad is back, I find myself sat in the garden, cloud watching.

It's rather peaceful, and I cant help but wonder if I was up there... Or if heaven is down? Or sideways perhaps; in another dimension?

Two warm hands cover my eyes and I'm just about to bust out my karate skills (not that I have any) on whoever it is but I hear a laugh, Liam's laugh, and I relax.

"Hey." he greets with a small nod before sitting down next to me.

"Hey." I reply.

I lean back, my back dampening on the grass. Liam does the same.

"What do you see?" I ask, pointing up at a random cloud.

"Err...."

"I see a pigeon."

He looks at me.

"Are you crazy! That's not a pigeon, that's a turtle!"

I laugh and he does too.

"You're blind!"

He shrugs and I pick out another cloud.

"That one is a boat."

He nods.

"Or, if you tilt it sideways it's a hand."

I scoff, "Yeah you're definitely blind."

I point at another.

"That is clearly a musical note."

He shakes his head.

"Obviously it's a watch!"

I laugh, "I think we need to get you a guide dog Liam."

He moves closer to me and picks another one.

"That's a heart."

I think about it.

"Nah, looks more like a tree to me."

Liam turns his face to look at me and I do the same.

"Now who needs the guide dog." He whispers and I smile.

"Still you."

We lie still for several minutes, cloud watching.

"When are you painting Maisie's room?" I ask, sitting up. My pristine white clothes are sure to be covered by grass stains by this point.

"Monday maybe, tomorrow I thought I might take Maisie to the park, feed the ducks and whatever."

"Okay well if you need a hand, you know where I am."

He coughs.

"Will you, uhm, come with me tomorrow?"

I go to say yes but he continues.

"Just to keep an eye on Maisie.... I'm not too great at it."

I gesture to my halo and laugh.

"No kidding."

We stay outside for a while longer until it gets dark, then we go inside and I spend my night watching Liam's family waste away the hours.

The next morning, I'm awake later than usual. I can tell because the house is noisy, not silent.

I wash and brush my teeth, yawning and sighing at the blank mirror.

Not having a reflection sucks, how on earth do vampires manage!

When I'm done I go downstairs and see the breakfast table full. Maisie's eating scrambled eggs, Liam's dad is reading the newspaper and tucking into a round of toast. Liam is sat stroking the cat, a mug of tea beside him.

I sit down in the living room and tuck my legs in beside me. I yawn again and when I move my arm to cover my mouth, my eyes catch on my wrist.

My breath catches in my throat and I inwardly gasp.

The number on my wrist is 4..

Time catches up with me and I frantically rack my brain.

Yesterday it was 8!

My mind comes to the conclusion and throws it at me like a tonne of bricks. Its too much to handle!

My time has halved.

He's going to die in 4 days.

And I'm not ready.