Meet in The Space Between ✔️

7

You run with me
And I can cut you free
Out of the drudgery and walls you keep in
__________________

I STOOD up, jaw tense. "I need to think." I announced.

Brisa stood up too. "Please-"

"Stop." I heard myself say, looking away from her, "Stop pushing me. It's not gonna help. I just need to breathe." And before anyone could protest, I held up the pocket watch. "I'll take this with me, so that you'll know I'll be back. And that I wouldn't completely abandon you. But I just- I just need to think."

I paused and stared at the stunned expressions on their faces, then added "You can't expect me to be fine with all this."

I grabbed hold of Mal, then stormed out the back room and exited the front door, clutching the pocket watch so tightly in my hand that I was afraid the shape of it would be embedded into my skin.

"You okay, Brae?" Mal asked worriedly, though the answer was obvious.

"Let's just go home." I huffed.

I pulled my phone out to check the time, only to see the text messages from Carlos.

Carlos: Evie told me you and Mal went on some kind of adventure. I'm glad you're finally having some fun haha.

I felt my soul break a little. I've had zero fun, and it was all because I didn't take his advice when he said to stay out of that shop.

Mal, a true friend, asked no questions and took me straight back to the cottage.

Evie looked like she was about to greet us with something cheerful when Mal gave her a look that silenced her. I didn't bother to say anything. I just let her lead me to our room. My mind as a tendency to shut down in these moments.

"Hey, listen." Mal sat me down on my bed, "Today has been a lot. But you're gonna be okay. We'll work it out."

I smiled slightly, mainly because I didn't want her to feel any worse. But I felt numb.

"If you don't mind, Brae, I'm gonna go tell the others what had happened. Because I know you hate delivering news like that." Mal hugged me, "You need to be alone for a while to gather your thoughts. I understand. Whenever you're ready, I'll be outside, okay?"

I automatically nodded, then watched her quietly leave.

Gather my thoughts?

Nothing made sense. Suddenly I don't even remember waking up this morning. I don't remember getting on Mal's new motorcycle. I don't remember anything, but the look on Brisa and Emma's faces when I first walked through the door. The rest of all the conversations were a muddy mess, filled with holes.

Did she love me?

No. That was my answer. In fact, she was scared of me. The color drained from her face the first time she lay her eyes on my grown up self. She stuttered and begged at my feet. I was like a haunting nightmare to her. The dead baby she left behind.

I eventually lost track of time. I was sitting on the edge of my bed staring into space for so long that my muscles ached. I heard voices outside, but was unable to comprehend it.