Page 84 of Juniper Unraveling

Two days ago, I’d have been mortified at this news, but today, I couldn’t care less.

“I understand, Wren, I do. You fell in love with him. But you don’t understand what Six is and what he can do.”

For the first time in the last two days, I lift my gaze to his. “I don’t care. I don’t care what you think he’s capable of doing. I don’t care what you, or anyone else, thinks he is. I know! I’m the only one that ever truly knew him! And now he’s gone! They’ve sent him back! I’d sooner wish death on him than have him go back there!”

“Your wish may have come to pass.”

My brow furrows at that, his face widening with the irritating shield of tears. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“The Legion managed to track him down, but they were attacked by rebels. They executed the soldiers and blew up the truck.”

“And Six?”

He shakes his head, resting his elbows on the tops of his thighs. “There was no sign of him.”

“Take me there. I want to see for myself.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“I don’t care what you think. Take me there.” I lift my hand from the blanket, showing him the mutilated skin, where I’ve sliced a blade across my wrists the last two days, mirroring the scar above it. “I need to see for myself.”

His eyes clamp shut with the lowering of his head, and he nods.

* * *

Papa’s truck comes to a stop just before a fire-gutted truck tipped on its side, with the hood blown off. The skeletal remains of the bed lie empty, the tarp that covered it, hiding Six, singed away to nothing.

I climb out of the passenger seat and sidestep the charred remnants of what used to be a human being lying on the ground, only the black helmet and mask telling me it was a soldier.

Black soot coats the ground around the vehicle, and the smell of burnt metal and rubber hangs on the air.

A numb sensation moves through my veins, as I take in the wreckage, circling what’s left of the vehicle. I keep on beyond the truck, toward the twisted, mangled Juniper tree.

Something catches my eye beyond the tree, and I walk toward it. Lying on the ground is a torn and tattered scrap of blue, with a blossom of red. The shirt I bought Six from the market.

I hold the fabric to my nose and breathe him in. A sob breaks in my chest, and I fall to my knees, letting the pain and misery slam into my heart again and again.

In the thick of my sobbing, I sing for Six:

Hush, my darling, dry your tears.

Daylight’s come, so rest your fears

Lay your head upon my heart

And know that we will never part

For I am here, and here I’ll stay

Even when we’re far away

Like peace that soars with the winged dove.

You have my heart and all my love.

No more pain. No more suffering. I try to convince myself he’s in a better place now.

When I close my eyes, the flash of a blond-haired boy zips through my mind, and I fall backward.