Lost Soul

Chapter Six: Stray

We take turns showering that night. It's not a long shower for most of us, because it's outside. It's already a bit nippy from the September air, and it's worse from the cold water.

But it is nice to feel clean. I finally get all the blood off me, which is the first good thing to happen to me.

My friends fall asleep soon after their showers, but I find myself lying awake, staring at the ceiling.

I turn my head to make sure Ava is safe next to me, but frown.

She's not snoring.

I've heard that girl snore before, and it could shake a grown man to his bones.

"You should sleep," I tell her, under my breath.

She jolts. "You're awake? You didn't eat?"

"You didn't either," I tell her.

"I have my reasons."

"As do I," I say, cryptically.

She sighs and nods.

"Should I stay awake too?" I ask.

Her shoulders relax. "No. You're a light sleeper."

"Do I need to be?"

She nods. "I'll sleep now that I know you're not... you didn't eat."

"Should we be leaving?"

"We can't yet," she says, quietly.

"Why not?"

"I don't think we can carry everyone."

"They have legs," I remind her.

She sighs, "Raven."

I close my eyes. "I know. I'm not an idiot. As soon as you didn't eat, I knew."

"You didn't try to stop them."

"You didn't even try to stop me," I accuse.

She grins. "Rae's always complaining that you never sleep."

"I'll be sure to tell Rae you tried to do her a favor."

She bites her lip to silence a giggle. "We really should sleep. They'll know we didn't eat if they hear us."

"They won't hear us," I assure.

"They will."

I sigh and nod. "I'll keep you safe," I assure.

She twists her head towards me and I almost think she can see me in the low moonlight shining in. "I know."

I reach out and take her hand, giving it a squeeze. "Sweet dreams," I offer.

Her lips twist down. "No," she says, "they won't be."

I don't know how to respond, so I close my eyes. She's always been weird, but she's even weirder now. But it doesn't mean I don't trust her.

If Ava asked me to jump off a cliff, I might actually do it.

The dreams come the same way my memories have been filling in. Too fast and too loud.

There's a voice pleading with me to help them.

My mom cooing with me.

A loud snarling, like a dog, and heat on my face. Blood dripping down my arm.

For a brief second, the dreams slow down to reveal me, sitting next to a girl. She looks like she could be my twin. She's got the same sparkling green eyes, same black hair, same freckles on a straight nose. Her eyes are even half-Korean, like mine.