𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡 𝙏𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝘽𝙖𝙙

Bonus scene 5: His birthday

♦ ♢ ♦ Xavier ♦ ♢ ♦

♦ ♢ ♦ Past ♦ ♢ ♦

There's blood everywhere.

"Mom?" I whisper, not sure what's happening. I crouch down next to her, and move the hair that sticks to her face.

She fell.

I saw it.

I don't know what happens next.

"Mom?" I ask a little louder as she looks at me with a small smile.

Blood. There's so much of it.

I don't know what's happening.

"My beautiful boy," she puts her hand weakly to my cheek. "You make me so proud," she swallows, her breaths sound wet. "I'm so sorry, Xavy."

"Mom?" I can't say anything else.

What is happening?

"Mom," I whisper, holding her hand.

She doesn't hold mine back.

"Xavier?" I hear my big sister call. "What was that soun—Mom!" Zara screams, rushing out of her room.

She's screaming.

I don't know what's happening.

Mom's eyes start to dim.

"Mom?" I ask, moving more hair out of her face.

"Tim!" Zara cries. "Tim!"

"I don't want the gifts, ma," I say, shaking my head. "I don't need them today. They are meant for tomorrow. We can open them together tomorrow."

She doesn't seem to hear me.

"Ma, I said I don't need them. Put them back."

"Get off of her!" Zara pushes me off, making me fall back down.

I move frantically back. "Mama," I shake her.

Her eyes are open.

But she's not blinking anymore.

"Mama I don't need my gifts early, Ma," I tell her desperately.

Why isn't she saying something back to me?

"No!" I protect as I'm getting pulled away. I can't take my eyes off of her.

What have I done?

I watch Tim lean over where Ma lays, her head rested on the end of a stair. "She's no more, Zara," I hear him say gently as he crouches on the ground next to my big sister.

Then his widened, hurt eyes look to where someone is dragging me away, even as I fight to get back to mama.

I stop fighting, then.