Nigh by Marie Bilodeau

Author:Marie Bilodeau
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: S&G Publishing

30

Al didn’t know how much time had passed. The sky was unchanging, unwavering gray.

She glanced toward the castle. A piece of rock separated from the tower and tumbled silently down, like a giant slowly folding down to its knees.

“Alva?” Her mother asked, concerned.

Al turned to her. Her mother’s face was smooth. She wasn’t much older than Al was now, really. Six years. That was it. Al found herself having difficulty merging the time in her mind. Moms weren’t supposed to be only six years older than their daughters.

But time was just moving too quickly now. Or too slowly. The world crumpled beyond the veil, even faster than this one. Gruff’s ashes were long gone. Molly’s bush was probably withered by now.

Her vision became blurred, and both her mom and Pete were at her side, holding her. Al leaned into them, glad not to be alone anymore.

“It’ll be all right, Alva,” her mother whispered. “We’re all together again. That’s what matters.”

Al nodded and gently dislodged from their embrace. They hadn’t talked about their father at all, his absence highlighted by their closeness. Like a car engine missing its gearbox.

“Were you happy? Back home?” Al paused. “With us?”

“Al!” Pete exclaimed, almost leaping to her feet.

“It’s okay, Pete,” her mother patted Pete’s hand and gave Al a sad smile.

“Most days, Alva. Most days.” She looked away and gave a short, awkward laugh. “But enough of that. Let’s talk about your studies, Pete. Which university did you select?”

Pete rambled on about her recent visit to the campuses. Al didn’t have the heart to remind them that there wouldn’t be a university career. That the world had moved on without them. She knew it didn’t matter.

They never needed to leave here again. The world had moved on without them, and they could easily do the same.

Hector walked out of the castle, his trench coat billowing behind him as he walked quickly down the path, looking worried and lost.

“Hector?” Alva said, but he didn’t hear, continuing down toward an unknown destination. She tried to stand, but her mother held her arm.

“Stay. It’s safe if we all stay together.”

Al went to argue, but she was tired, and Hector knew this world better than anyone else. She lay down and drifted off to sleep, hoping no dreams would find her mind.

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