Chapter Two
Deathday. Sounds gruesome doesn't it? It's Irkallas version of a birthday. But instead of being born, you die. Lots of fun.
It's a day you think about your old life on Earth. For most, the day is spent grieving yourself. Not exactly my idea of a good time.
Today is my death day. Like most of the residents in this world, I prefer to spend it alone. You get the day off of work, and you become a temporary hermit. I just use it as an excuse to have a Star Wars marathon.
Still in my pajamas at noon, I get out of bed to make myself a healthy lunch, salted popcorn. I climb back into bed and hit resume. Just as the Rancor begins to attack Luke, my doorbell rings.
Wonderful.
I pull a robe over my grey pajamas and shuffle my feet to the door.
"Who dare disturbs my- Oh John. Hi." I say taken back. I was assuming it would be Liz.
"Hello Miss Wes."
"John, you've known me for like ten years, you can call me Ember. It's not the seventeenth century anymore."
"Of course. My apologies Miss."
Feeling the extreme urge to face palm, I ask, "Did you need something?"
He rubs at the base of his neck, messing up his shaggy raven hair. "Yes, well no, not from you. Umm, Elizabeth asked me to tell you that we are moving up."
"Moving up where...?"
"Section Two."
"Don't you have like two hundred more years?"
"We have been asked to move up early."
What? Why? No, no no no. My best friend and her husband, not matter how anti social he is, can't abandon me with people from the twenty first century!
They are always talking about Twitter! What's a Twitter?!?
"Why?!" I begin hyperventilating.
"They didn't say. They just want us on our way there by tomorrow. Are you okay, Miss?"
I am now sitting down against the door now, having a staring contest with his knees.
"Do you need something? Water?"
"Yeah, please." I say breathlessly.
John goes into my kitchen and after a minute returns with a glass of ice water.
I drink it and then ask, "Why didn't Elizabeth come herself?"
"She said something about a clean break being easier."
"You make it sound like we are breaking up."
"You pretty much are. I have known Elizabeth for over three hundred years, and yet, you two are closer than I could ever wish to be."
"I know. I think I need to see her." I start to get.
"No Miss Wes. She asked me to just tell you goodbye for her, and not to let you come. So, goodbye." He nods and begins to walk away.
Stop me from coming? Like that's going to happen.
Once he is out of sight, I start toward their house. The pavement burns my feet as I walk as quietly as possible.
Maybe I should've put on actual clothes... Too late now.
I use the key they keep hidden under a rock to unlock the back door. Noticing John in the living room, I creep up the stairs and into their bedroom. Elizabeth is in the closet taking out all her drab clothes and putting them in a suitcase.
I tiptoe up behind her and am about to tackle her when she says, "You really thought that would work?"
"Crap!" I spat.
She turns around, "Are you going to help or what?"
"Why are you leaving?" I demand.
"Why are you trying to strangle a cup?" She counters.
I look down at my hands. I am still holding the cup John had brought to me. Setting it down on the bedside table, I say, "I thought I put this down. But seriously why?"
"They won't tell us, they just said we are moving up and have to be out by tomorrow."
"And you are going to leave? Just because someone told you to?"
"Not just someone. They said it was an order from Lord Dabria. You don't question her."
"Why would Lord Dabria care where you live?"
"I don't know. I have never spoken, let alone seen her. I don't know how her brain works. I just know that when the person who rules your world gives you instructions, you follow them." She explains while shoving more clothes into the suitcase.
"Ugh. Stupid Dabria."
"I wouldn't say that if I were you." When I give her a confused look she says, "We don't know what powers she has. She could very well be listening to this conversation."
We both slowly look up and then burst out laughing.
"Seriously though, I am going to die. If you leave I will actually have to talk to people."
"You are already dead."
"You know what I mean." I say with a sigh.
"Well I am not exactly winning the lottery either. I am moving somewhere I have never been, I lose my job, I have to leave all my friends behind, the only person I'll know is Jonathon. And you know we aren't close. I'll have to restart my entire life."
"Only for four hundred and ninety years." I sit flop down on the bed, "Then I get to annoy you again."
"Oh yeah, happy Deathday."
"I don't think Deathdays are meant to be a happy occasion." I remark.
"Yeah well-" She begins.
Jonathons footsteps cut her off as they come up the stairs. "Elizabeth, we have an hour until the train l-"
He stops midstep when he notices me on the bed. He frowns slightly.
"It's fine, Jonathon."
"One hour? I thought you guys were leaving tomorrow?" I stammer. I feel like a child that is begging to stay at a sleepover that has long ended.
"We need to be out by tomorrow." John explains, "But we've decided to leave tonight."
"Oh?" I realize it doesn't make much of a difference, leaving today or tomorrow, but I am stuck at sixteen forever and can act immature and petty if I want.
~
An hour later, my face strewn with tears, I see my best friend off knowing that I will not see her again for nearly five hundred years.
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On that happy note...
Thanks for reading, if you have any questions, fire away! I'll try to answer all of them.
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