The Knife Thrower

Chapter 28

My hand flies to my mouth and my heart starts to speed up. I can't drop his gaze. Oh my goodness! "Elijah?" It comes out in a strangled whisper, barely audible. But he hears it. His hard face softens and he gives me a sad smile. I run towards him and he holds his arms open wide. I barrel into them and hug him tight, my chin tucked under his neck. I start to sob, of happiness and hope and disbelief. He holds me tight, his arms strong and sturdy.
I shake so much I start to hiccup and I can feel tears forming in my eyes. "I thought you were dead." "Hey, shh. Shh. I'm fine." He whispers into my hair and it is like the whole room has disappeared and it is only us. I lean back to look up into his clear blue eyes.
"Why didn't you send word? Why did you pretend for all these years that you were dead?" My voice cracks on the last word and he wipes away a stray tear. Tilting my chin up with his hand he stares down at me. "I couldn't. Oh, how I wanted to. But it was to dangerous."
I don't ask why it is too dangerous. I already know the answer. "You have grown so much." He says, eyes looking me up and down. "Likewise." I reply back and he gives me a smile. I smile too. He leads me to a chair and we sit down.
"Who was that boy standing on the cliff with you?" He asks hesitantly, eyes on the floor. "Jay." I smile proudly, "your younger brother. He is turning seven this year." Elijah looks up from the floor and stares at me. His eyes are deep and barricaded, but for a moment I see the mask slip and I see hurt and sadness. But it disappears just as quickly, so quickly I might have imagined it. Though I know I didn't, for I know my twin. He asks me to tell him about Jay and Izzy and I tell him every detail. I start with their favourite colours, personality and likes and dislikes. The memories are sweet and beautiful, like a favourite picture you just recently found. I tell him about school and Ryan and the amazing woods. Though I'm stalling and I know it. I wait for him to ask the dreaded question. Finally he does.
"And what about our parents?" He asks, eyes searching mine. I bite my lip. I can't lie to him.
"They died almost a week ago. They were executed by the government." I say softly, not sure what his reaction is going to be. His eyes cloud over and he looks down at the floor. I give him a hug, seeing the inward battle ragging inside him in his eyes. Not so long ago that was me. I hear the door open behind me and I turn around to see Wendy come running in. Her hands are shaking and her breath is uneven like she ran all the way here. She is holding a piece of paper in her hand and comes straight to us. She thrusts it towards Elijah and he takes it, scanning it over. His face goes pale and I try to look over his shoulder, see what he is seeing. But he turns around and hands the paper instead.
"Where did you get this?" He asks Wendy.
"One of the men found it floating around in town." She replies, stricken. I look over the sheet of paper, teared out of a newspaper and my heart nearly stops beating.

Act of Suicide by Unidentified Teenager.
Three days ago, an unidentified teenager was found on top of The Divider by government officials. It has been told that she saw the soldiers and fled to the end of the cliff. She jumped shortly after. Her body has not yet been found. Anyone who might have a clue as to who the girl was must report it to the government immediately.

I look up at Elijah, not sure what to think. This is bad. He looks back at me and there is a certain sadness in his eyes. "I'm going to have to leave, aren't I?" I ask him, not sure what the other possible answer is. It's like I'm in one of those stupid pop quiz math tests where it is multiple choice and I can only find one answer, but it is wrong.
"I think so," he says sadly. "I just can't see any other way. If they found out that you have not been back there for the last three days, then..." He trails off but the unsaid words stick in my head. Trouble. I nod my head and get up, wanting to get to my makeshift room before he sees me cry. He grabs my arm as I try to walk past him and stands up with me. He turns me around to face him.
"Hey. We will see each other again. This is not goodbye, just a small break. You can't get rid of me that quickly now that we have just got each other back." He smiles and I laugh. Oh how I have missed him. I turn around and walk through the doorway. I feel stronger, braver. I have just been given back a piece of me, a beautiful, important piece I did not even know I was missing. Whatever tomorrow has in store, I'm ready for it.