The Mortal Fringe by Jordi Ribolleda Page A

going back,
not for long at least. Whatever happens, I only wish I had been
brave enough to stay back home and face what happened that day. But
I didn't, I was too scared of it.
    I hate myself for not trying
harder. I keep thinking 'what would David tell me if he saw me
right now?’ I still think he is here. Everything is back now, mom.
I remember, and I will not forget this time, I can't.
    I love you so much, and I need you
to know that. If you ever understand what happened to me, I want
you to know I did it for you.
    I am sorry.
    Alex. Possibly writing for the last
time.
    I write this on my notebook, because I
know that once I'm dead, she will read it. Saying goodbye to my
mother is possible the hardest thing I will ever have to
do.
    I have been in my room for days, ever
since my last encounter with Constance. There's nothing for me out
there, not right now. I am sure both Jay and Elizabeth know what
happened, but none of them talk about it. Elizabeth talks to me
from time to time, I'm not sure I want to see her, but I know she
is keeping an eye on me.
    I put my notebook down, and I turn to
Jay. He is looking at me.
    "Hey" he rises his hand as
well.
    I look at him and I can't stop the
smile on my face.
    "I think you had enough
resting."
    After a long while I manage to get out
of my bed. I can't pretend I'm feeling better, but he is
right.
    " It's nice to see you up" Elizabeth's voice
is in my head, she has not said much these days. I like hearing the
softness of her voice.
    "Elizabeth, this is a boys
conversation" Jay is looking at me, but it feels weird, because he
is not talking to me at all, he knows Elizabeth said something.
"That's better".
    Then I remember what I read on the
book, about the Immortal and the Keeper, and it feels like a good
idea to ask him, and get away from my thoughts for a couple of
minutes.
    "How did you know she talked to
me?"
    "Seriously, not only you read that
instead of talking to me, but you don't read at all, do you?" he is
faking an offended voice tone. "Elizabeth and I are basically
brothers, as you would call it."
    "But…"
    "Yes, just like you, I am another part
of her. There's nothing else to it."
    "Are you ok with that?" I am more
surprised than curious, it's obvious he hasn't given much thought
to it.
    "How couldn't I? She is my sister, she
is the one chosen to be a God. I am the one that complements her.
It's not that complicated."
    Not that complicated? I really think
that he has no clue of how hard it is for a mortal to process all
that information.
    "So it takes three souls to make
one?"
    "Yes, I guess you could say that", he
says "are you up for a coffee?"
    By the way he talks, I know that I
should not try again to express my opinion about their society, he
is so sure about it that I would most likely offend him.
    "Well, but try to stay away from my
mind, I want to be able to talk to her if I want to."
    " Thanks ” Elizabeth adds in my head
    "Ok. But not today" he shakes my hand
as if we had just signed a deal. He then gets up and puts on his
clothes. "Come on, change up, you are leaving this room
today."
    But I don't want to, I want to stay
in, I can't face open spaces today.
    " Do what he says Alex, it will be good for
you."
    "She is right, hurry up, I'll be
waiting outside" he vanishes before I can fight for my right to
stay in.
    " He is as stubborn as you are.”
    " So I can see " For a moment I think I can feel
Elizabeth's reaction, it's the first time I answer her thoughts
with my own rather than talking.
    I shower in a matter of minutes and
before putting on my clothes I realize that Jay and Elizabeth
managed to take my thoughts away, even if only for a couple of
minutes, they did do it. I feel better, not much, but it's
something. I go outside and Jay is waiting for me at the usual
spot.
    "You took your time."
    "I guess that I would say that too, if
I hadn't taken a shower and could simply disappear and go anywhere
I liked."
    "Touché."
    He leads the way. We have been