From inside came the sound of cartoons and Allegra's laughter. Normal morning sounds that made Briar's chest constrict.
"I have to try," Briar whispered.
"I know." June touched her shoulder, gentle. "Try everything…"
The mark pulsed once, satisfied with her return.
Thirty-six hours left.
And nowhere to run.
The breakfast dishes still sat in the sink, evidence of Allegra's appetite returning with vengeance. She'd demolished two bowls of cereal and half a sleeve of toast—more than Briar had seen her eat in months. The kitchen smelledlike strawberry jam and normalcy, a cruel reminder of everything she was about to lose.
Briar grabbed her jacket from the hook by the door, trying to move quietly. She should have known better.
"Where are you going?"
Briar paused at the door, keys jangling in her hand. Allegra stood in the hallway, already dressed in jeans and her favorite purple hoodie—the purple one with tiny stars scattered across the sleeves. Her hair stuck up at odd angles from sleep, but her eyes were bright and alert. Too alert for someone who'd been dying three days ago.
"Just running some errands."
"Can I come?" Allegra bounced on her toes, energy vibrating through her small frame. "Please? I've been stuck inside forever and Mom's being weird, hovering every time I breathe. She literally followed me to the bathroom this morning, Bri. The bathroom."
"She's just worried—"
"I know." The bouncing stopped, and Allegra's expression shifted to something more serious than twelve-year-olds should manage. "I scared her. I scared both of you. But I'm okay now, and I just... I want to feel normal. Please?"
Briar glanced toward the kitchen where June was definitely not doing dishes as loudly as possible. The water had been running for five minutes straight. Her mother's shoulders were rigid with the effort of not turning around.
"Ally—"
"I promise I'll be good. I won't run around or anything. I just want to get out for a bit. Smell something that isn't hospital or house." The puppy-dog expression returned full force. "Please?"
A plate clattered in the kitchen. June's message clear: Your choice. Your consequences.
"Fine." The word came out softer than intended. "But we're just going to the hardware store."
"Yes!" Allegra was already shoving her feet into sneakers, not bothering to untie them first. "Why the hardware store? Are we building something? Oh, are we finally fixing the wobbly table?"
"I need... some stuff. For a project."
"What kind of project?" Allegra grabbed her jacket from the hook, practically vibrating with excitement to leave the house. "Is it a surprise? Is it for Mom?"
"Something like that." Briar pulled her sleeve down, making sure the mark was covered. "Come on, before I change my mind."
The morning air was crisp, carrying salt from the ocean mixed with pine resin. Allegra inhaled deeply, throwing her arms wide to embrace the entire outdoors.
"God, I missed this. You have no idea how boring it is being unconscious."
"That's not funny, Ally."
"It's a little funny." She climbed into the passenger seat, immediately fiddling with the radio. "Can we listen to my playlist?"
"No."
"Can we—"
"No."
