Page 94 of Molt

“And I remember what happens after you die.”

I stop then slowly turn. “What?”

Her face goes pale. “You don’t remember.”

“Remember what?”

“August…”

“What happens?”

She begins crying harder. “I can’t tell you.”

I grab her shoulders. “What happens?”

“Don’t.”

“Tell me!”

“You wake up.”

“I know that.”

“No.” Her voice drops to a whisper. “You wake up before I’m gone.”

Everything inside me stops. “What?”

“You watch.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Every time.”

She touches my face. “You come back while I’m finishing.”

I can’t breathe.

“And what do I do?”

She closes her eyes. “You help.”

My stomach drops. “No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“You don’t know who you are anymore.”

“No.”

“You tear pieces from yourself and give them to me.”

“Stop.”

“You beg me to take you.”

“Stop.”