Chapter 37A - Nightfall

“Phew…”

I sigh, exhausted, feeling dizzy but determined to finish my planting work, my hands all messy from digging into soil. Some of the fruits and vegetables I planted weeks ago had finished growing, and I stumble to the sink to gently wash them off. I impulsively take a bite out of one of the carrots I grew. I missed eating real food.

“It’s good…”

I nearly lose my balance for a moment but catch myself. Ell1s panicks for a moment.

“Oh! C- careful! Can’t have you falling down… But, um, it must be nice to eat actual food again, right? I can see why you’d like these much better than whatever rations you’ve been eating…”

He takes a close look at the various produce in my hand, fascinated.

“Very interesting! You did a great job growing these, Lena. You’re much more skilled than you realize… I’m sure Calista taught you a lot, hm?”

“Yeah, she…did…”

My vision swirls and I stumble to the ground, waves of nausea crashing over my head again. Ugh, I can’t even stand up for long anymore without nearly passing out…

“L- Lena..! Oh no, oh no… Are you alright? You didn’t fall too hard, did you?”

“No… I... I should just go lay back down. I can’t even walk anymore… but hey, at least most of my plants finished growing. It’s strange, though…”

I collect my bearings and slowly get back up, observing the pansy I potted weeks ago. It’s grown a bit more, but still hasn’t bloomed…

“I was hoping it would bloom by now…”

“Yeah… But, hey! I’m sure it won’t be long! You’ve still got time! I… I hope…”

I give him a faint smile. “I’m not worried about it. There’s not much else for me to do here but watch my body fall apart, and… I think I’ve already done everything I wanted to. And when it does bloom… promise me you’ll take care of it as long as it lives, alright?”

“Of course, Lena! I promise.”

The rest of my remaining days felt like a blur.

I soon lost the ability to walk.

My body became thin and frail, falling apart, and all I could do was watch it happen.

But… I think I’ve suffered long enough.

Even if there’s so many things I haven't experienced, days with Calista I could've spent, chats with Ell1s that made me smile… I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

The sun is setting.

The sky is dark.

The stars have begun to shine.

It’s time to say goodnight.