Eternal: Chapter One, Part 1

Chapter One: Change Comes Swiftly

A sliver of sunlight spilled into the room, illuminating the dark space. It was strange seeing sunlight after having hidden from it for so long. Drei said it was because I wasn’t ready yet; he explained we could handle it indirectly in small doses. I wasn’t strong enough, though, and he never said why not. He seemed afraid to admit it, some days, and ignored my questions.

Outside, it was a beautiful day. I could hear the people on the street, their bustling footsteps hurrying past. A few birds flew overhead, disturbed from their previous perches and searching for new ones. Some corner musicians sang their hearts out, trying to make their dreams come true. There were even a few children, gawking in amazement or boredom at the scenes around them while parents pulled them along.

Listening made me miss the world. It felt like it had been forever since I had been part of it. For almost a year—including my time in transition and healing—this apartment had been my universe, and Drei the only other person in it. I loved him, and I was grateful for the extension he had given me, but I wanted more now. I wanted to smell the air, as polluted as it may be; I wanted to feel the breeze wrap around me, and the earth beneath my bare feet; I wanted to see and experience life again. I had been such a fool for ever wanting anything else.

“Come away from the window, Abriel.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw Drei, dressed in his usual black. One of his hands was buried in his pocket, the other lay offered to me. Letting the curtain fall closed again, I walked to him, taking his hand. His other hand gingerly touched my arm, and I noticed the skin was riddled with boils and blackened spots. Even noticing it now, it didn’t hurt. I was mostly curious how it had happened, and why.

“You burned yourself,” he whispered, his amethyst eyes fixated on the damage. “This is why I asked you to keep from the windows.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked, unsure what he wasn’t saying. Something unnerved him about my being injured but I couldn’t understand what, despite trying to; he kept his thoughts well guarded from my prying.

“You should sleep,” he said instead, kissing my forehead. “Sleep will help you heal.”

I decided not to press him; I’d figure it out sooner or later. Besides, when it came to sleep, that was one argument I could never win. Not with Drei.

She should be strong enough indirect sunlight is harmless, I caught him thinking as I made my way to the bed. It made sense he’d worry about something like that. I had a movement to lead still, and I needed some strength to do so. If his thoughts were any indication, I wasn’t much stronger than I had been since healing from the shooting a few months ago, and that was only enough to venture beyond the bedroom.

“I’ll sleep if you promise to take me walking tonight,” I bargained, pulling back the covers and sitting down. “I haven’t been outside in forever.”

He nodded, coming to the bed. “We shall see.”

“No, you have to promise me,” I said; I wasn’t compromising on this. I needed to be out of this apartment before I went insane. “Or I’ll stand in the window again.”

“You know that will not improve your health,” he chided gently, smiling, trying to make light of the situation.

“Nothing does.” I turned my back to him. What harm could a midnight walk do? There wasn’t any sun then and, if I started feeling weak, it wasn’t like carrying me had ever been a problem for him.

His fingers brushed my hair back, an attempt to coax me into a better mood. He knew, though, it was futile. I could match him in stubbornness. Sighing, he yielded; “Very well. We can go walking tonight.”

Turning back to him, I kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

“I just hope—”

“It’s not too soon,” I said, slipping my hand into his. “I need to leave this place for a little while. This apartment cannot be my entire world.”

Kissing my hand, he suggested I sleep then. A moment later, he slipped into the bed next to me, wrapping me in his arms and kissing the top of my head. I closed my eyes, comfortable and content. While worry thickened the air around him, the sensation was dulled by my own anticipation and excitement.