Chapter 37
Genevieve
Waking up the next morning, I don’t even remember falling asleep at all. I remember the crying, hyperventilating, and shaking, but I do not recall the moment my eyes fell shut.
Stretching my body, it's easy to realize that I got a good night's sleep. And even though I can feel how swollen my eyes are as my palm sweeps over my face, I feel rested.
Looking to my side, Illysia is still in the middle of her deep sleep and snoring like an adorable pig. I can't help but to laugh a little to myself as the sound leaves her mouth with every breath.
Beside her lies Daffodil, and it makes me joyful seeing how close they are growing to be, to see the two bonding with each other. And the way they communicate and bring calmness to one another.
Looking out the window, it doesn't take long until the sun moves into an angle which makes a ray blind my eyes. And for a split second, I could promise that I saw a manly shadow in the light. But as I wipe my eyes, trying to readjust to the light, the shadow is no longer there.
It was clear now, I was going insane. I was starting to see things that weren't there. But it would be a lie if I said that I didn't feel even the slightest hope when I saw the shadow, thinking it was Ector who was standing right before my eyes.
My soul was longing for him on a deeper level than I could even understand myself. It was my subconscious that was trying to tell me something, but what was it? Why did I feel like something was missing without him by my side even though I barely got to know him.
But you did get to know him. The voice in my head speaks as the moment of him showing me his scarred back replays itself.
He showed me his insecurities and was brave enough to let me know about his greatest weakness.
And there was something so intimately in that, to be able to show yourself so naked yet having clothes on.
It didn’t take long before he started to feel like home. There was such a deep understanding between us, something I had never experienced with anyone before.
I look over at Illysia who is still sleeping, a calmness spreading around me as I think of my friend. My friend. I had met her, just her and I, not through someone else. I finally had a friend of my own.
In the corner of my eye, I could see my small green bag and it was now calling my name, a call that I couldn't resist. Carefully lifting myself from the bed, not wanting to wake up Illysia and Daffodil, I snatch my bag and grab the diary.
With the book falling open, the page with Ector's text grabs all my attention. Sitting cross-legged on the soft mattress, I bring myself the confidence to read it.
Tears prickle in my eyes as I read the last words, especially the words he never finished writing.
I think I’m starting to lo-
When did he write this and why did he not finish the sentence? Had he been in a hurry or did something sudden–
His father.
It was impossible to keep the tears in as the dots connected themselves. Of course he had written this after I fell asleep that night. He had wanted to stay awake to protect me.
The sobs were coming uncontrollably now, but I tried to keep them as quiet as possible, not wanting to cause a scene and make Illysia wake up. She had already dealt with me last night, I didn't want to bother her with another emotional collapse.
I wanted to know what the last sentence was going to be, but I would never get the answer because I would never see him again. He had passed and there was nothing I could do.
Stroking my shoulders, my body swinging back and forth, I try my best to take deep breaths.
“Good morning.” She yawns and stretches her arms widely.
Quickly I rub my eyes and pretend like nothing has happened.
“Good morning! Did you sleep well?” I say with a big smile on my face, pressing down every single drop of sadness and replacing it with joy.
“I slept like a princess.” She yawns again.
“Well needed.”
“Should we go?” She asks, getting out of bed, already getting dressed even though she just woke up.
“Now?”
“Yes, silly.”
“You just woke up?”
“I’m a morning person.” Her face lit up.
Doing as she insists, I grab my bloody dress and drag it over my head. Reaching for my shoes and tying them around my ankles.
Leaving the room behind, we make our way towards the lobby and thank Astra for letting us stay the night for free.
“It was an honor having you here.” She says politely.
“It was so fun meeting you, Astra.” I responded with my tone full of love.
I follow Illysia outside and it doesn't take long before a crowd of people appears before us. The city looks different in daytime with the sun casting its rays on all the glass decorations.
Around us stand different stalls, every single one of them selling different kinds of decorations. One thing that immediately grabs my attention is a windchime. I've always loved the look of them and the sound they make, this one is ethereal.
It's a huge seashell like one I've never seen, the inside in a hue of bright pink. Seven glass bricks are tied to it, and the sound it makes every time a breeze passes by makes me feel so at peace with myself.
Walking further in, not only windchimes appear but so do sun and dreamcatchers. All of them are in different shades and colors but all equally beautiful in their own ways.
“Buy a dream catcher and get two sweet dreams of your own choice along with it.” A female voice calls out. A few seconds pass before I can hear her voice again.
“Do you really get two sweet dreams?” I ask Illysia, full of curiosity.
“Yes.”
“I need it.” I let out, launching forward.
“Calm down.” She grabs my body and stops me from acting on my impulse.
“What?” The word comes out more irritated than I'd like. Two dreams meant one with Ector and one with Esme.
“Genevieve, I’m a witch.”
“I know.” I say in frustration.
“I can make sure you get two sweet dreams without you having to pay for a dream catcher.” She laughs at me.
“Oh... Right.” I say as the realization hits me, leaving me feeling dumb and embarrassed. “I don't want to ask for your magic.”
“Good thing you didn't ask then.”
She grabs my hand in hers and drags me with her to find somewhere to get some breakfast. She didn't want to ask Astra for more than she had already done, so we decided to find something by ourselves instead.
“Look at those necklaces!” I say out loud, leaving people staring at me.
“They’re beautiful, I know.” She says, but doesn't let me stop to look closer.
“Are we in a hurry?” And just as the question leaves me, I feel insane. I'm the one who should be in a hurry. I have a sister to get back so that my life will be fulfilled once again.
You already have everything you need, within. That annoying voice in my head speaks again.
“I’m so freaking hungry. I’m trying my best not to be rude.” She tells me truthfully.
Instead of answering her, I just do my best to adapt to her situation.
I’m not a person who gets angry once hungry, I turn grumpy, and sometimes annoying.
Everything feels heavy and pointless, life sucks.
But the second my stomach receives food, I feel better, dancing around as easily as a feather dances in the wind.