Page 23 of Borrowed

T he white walls were back.

The humming lights with bees inside.

But now…I was alone.

“Hi. Am I speaking to Tabitha or Toby today?” the nurse said.

I just sighed. “I’m…no one.”

The group around me had the same blank faces as before. They didn’t look at me, just whispered the names that matched the empty seats.

Mila and the crying boy, I didn’t remember going to sleep. They said he slipped in the shower.

“Hi…”

I said slowly, hearing my voice but feeling like it was an alien.

“My name is…”

I couldn’t say it. I needed Tabby. I needed my sister. My twin.

Her bunnies, Trumpet and Delia, were beside me. They gave me strength even though I felt like I was still burning.

I couldn’t borrow my sister’s life because she never had an ‘anymore.’ I couldn’t go back to the house and keep her away from the smoke. The black mist took her away while I faded away on the ground beside her.

“My name is…Toby.”