"We need to find mom." I say sternly. Carson chuckles.
"That's the Tayler I know. Dying one minute, up and searching for something the next minute. But we have school."
I spin around and look at Carson with shock.
"The city is destroyed, my mom is lost, possibly dead, and you expect me to make school my first priority?" I blink, eyebrows raised.
"Of coarse not. I expect you to make me your first priority." Carson laughs. I punch him in the arm and sigh.
"Yea, okay. School tomorrow. Cya there." I say, flying back to where the house was.
When I land, Sasko comes running, but stops once he gets a good look at me.
"Woah." He says. I smack him, chuckling.
"I'm gonna get some shut eye. The only sleep I've Been having for the past couple days is near death." I scoff, walking past him. I leap into my bed that still stands and sigh. I should be dead. Carson and I both know it. But why aren't I...? I groan and roll over, falling asleep.
At school the next morning, I meet Carson at the cafeteria. The school seems untouched by the winds. I feel like trash. Carson laughs at me.
"Someone seems tired."
I glance at him.
"I was just tortured the other day." I point out. He stiffens, and his jaw clenches.
"We are gonna be late for class." He says, walking down the hall. I walk beside him, switching out my bandages. He glares ahead of him.
"What's wrong, Carson?" I ask. He turns to me, cornering me in one swift movement.
"I saw you beaten and bloody hanging against a wall by chains, and you're gonna act like everything is okay?" He whispers. That sight must've scarred him. I look up at him. Pain flies across his face, but he still looks mad. Jaw still set, fists still clenched.
"No, I'm not. I'm never gonna forget it, my scars will remind us. But I still have you. That's what I care about right now." I smile. His eyes flood with a look of awe. He steps back, and walks into the classroom. I fix my shirt and walk in. Everyone's heads swivel in my direction. I inhale and sit down in front of Carson. Nobody can focus. They're all looking at me. I leave the room, marching to the bathroom. I splash water on my face and look in the mirror. The girl who looks back looks strong and powerful. Brave, and caring. But all I feel is emptiness. There's a stranger in the mirror. And they won't leave me alone. Every mirror I look in. She's there. These mirrors. They're broken. They lie. I curse and smash a mirror, getting glass shards everywhere. I storm out of the school in a hurry. I don't even know who I am anymore! I take flight, soaring straight up. It's getting hard to breath but I don't care. I drop my head into my hands and clench my teeth. I fold my wings in and drop like stone, screaming in frustration.