"It really doesn't look good..." he says.
"Are you okay?"
"Hm?" He turns to me. "Oh, yes. Don't worry, I know it's not... really Sylviana. I accepted that a long time ago."
"It's still a part of her."
"I know. Maybe I'm a bit too detached, but... I think I managed to say my goodbyes my own way, some time after we met... No, maybe even before that. I don't know. I was just used to her strange ways and always being a step ahead. I loved that tree, but it was more of a... a symbol."
I nod.
I get what he means, in a way. It's no use holding on to someone who's already gone... even if more of them is fading away in front of our eyes. Maybe Liam hurts more than he lets on too. His hand is still tightly locked with mine.
We stare at the tree for a very long time, just standing together like this. It isn't... completely dead yet. I can tell the barrier around it is about to fade away as well, but even if the tree is decaying fast, there's still a little bit of life hanging on. I spot a trail of ants walking down that bark. A bird comes to briefly sit on one of the higher branches too.
"...Let's go back?" he asks.
"Do you mind if I... stay here a little longer?" I whisper.
Liam gives me a surprised look, but he slowly nods, putting a quick kiss on my forehead.
"Okay."
"I'll be back soon," I promise.
I watch him go, stepping farther and farther away, back to Nora's house.
I turn to the tree, a bit lost. Why did I feel like staying? Am I the one not ready to say goodbye? I wish I had the chance to say hello... to even meet her. I take a deep breath, and come closer to the tree, putting my hand on it. The bark is lukewarm and rough.
"I wish I had met you," I whisper.
I just feel like I've been waiting for ages to say this... to get this out of my heart. I take a deep breath. I guess now is my last chance to let it out. Not that I think she may be listening to me. This is more of a prayer for myself, like one would whisper in secret at a loved one's grave.
"I wish you had been there to tell me all the truth, to teach me... to guide me."
I feel my throat choking up a little, but I ignore it.
"It's strange that we never even got a chance to meet, but... there is so much we have in common. Our magic, our lost loved ones... and Liam too. ...Please don't resent me for loving him. You probably knew better than I did how... These things work. I am just..."
What am I even trying to say? I shake my head, and take another deep breath.
"Anyway... I hope you'll be okay, in whatever next life you move on to. I sincerely pray you'll be happy, Sylviana. You spent... so much time, if not all your life, protecting others. I... I hope I can do it too. I might be more selfish than you are. I don't... I think you might have chosen your successor wrong, you know. I don't... feel so tied to this place. There's another family for me, out there. It might not be perfect, but... I just don't think I can be like you, Sylviana. I've always... gazed further than Silver City. You know, I used to watch those tall skyscrapers, from that hospital room, but... I wasn't really interested in the buildings themselves. I was curious about how far people could see from up there."
I turn my head, toward where I know all those buildings to be. I smile. It's strange to think that now, I'd probably be allowed in those buildings if I asked... I mean, aside from the ones the fires damaged. I turn to the tree again.
"I hope... you can understand my heart a little. I know you tried to protect them. I understand, and I promise I'll protect them too. I just wish..."
I don't end that sentence.
What... was I going to wish for? I sigh, and take one step back. I glance one last time at that tree, and this time, I have no words left. I nod slowly, and turn back, feeling a bit... empty.
A few steps away, I suddenly spot Liam, waiting for me. He waited instead of returning? I smile a little, and walk up to him, as he extends his hand. Instead of taking it, I just speed up my pace until I can hug him. He chuckles and hugs me back. Mm, he really is a bit bigger than I am... I like that. That old leather and gasoline smell is still floating around him too.
"Feeling better?" he asks.
I just nod, but I insist on keeping my arms around him for a little while longer.
"Mara! Liam! Are you coming to eat, you two?!"
