His Countdown Ended, but I Died
I drifted over, passed through the door, and saw myself curled up among the clutter inside.
I realized then that I was already dead. I had died even before Eli's countdown reached zero.
I suddenly felt my memories surging toward me like tidal waves, bringing with them the musty smell of forgotten years.
If there were only one piece of candy at home, it would always belong to Eli. If the only apple were cut in two, the bigger half would go to him and the smaller half to me. Eli would always have new clothes to wear, while I wore his old hand-me-downs, which were covered in patches.