I learned more about their life than I ever would have only watching this family. Although the result of receiving Gryce's name wasn't something I intended, it was a result nonetheless that I had to live with. Just like when I first followed Gryce, my mind moved before I made the conscious decision to do so. Every action after Gryce gave me his name was a blur, and it was only in the next moment that I realized what I had done. For the first time, I could feel something in my chest. I knew it was a heart, and I knew that this fluid that came from my eyes was tears.
"I didn't know". Instinctively, I knelt, wrapping my arms around my stomach. "I'm sorry".
It wasn't the same thing, I know it wasn't, but in Gryce's mind, I knew what murder was. I knew that his father had just committed one, and now I couldn't help but think that I did as well.
I look in the mirror, and who's left? My body's gone, but his mind wasn't his anymore. Who was inside this body? I couldn't say that I truly existed anymore. I only took his place, as the flower that once was my body, wilted in a matter of seconds, cementing everything I wished would change. There was no turning back now.
"I'll find a way to change this, Gryce." I wiped my tears. "When you come back, you'll have a new life, I promise".
If I couldn't at least do that, then there really was no purpose in my birth, and I couldn't accept that.
Gryce's father and mother carried on with their day as if nothing had happened. Of course, they did; they'd have no reason to show their son that they were in a horrible situation. In the mind of a child, my grasp of things was limited but still much broader than it was before. I thought I had reached the end of what I could understand, but now I realize that it was my limited brain that prevented me from grasping the finer details that made humans what they are. When I first stepped outside his room, all I felt was fear. In the inner depths of his heart, Gryce knew what his dad had done and couldn't bear looking at him as he lay on the couch.
"I thought you were asleep, Gryce", his mother said as she cleaned the kitchen.
"I would have made you something if I knew".
"It's okay, I'm not hungry". I didn't realize before I said it, but my voice had acclimated to Gryce's completely.
"Well, enjoy the day off then! Your dad's asleep right now, so you can play outside in the meantime".
I looked at the front door for a moment, but immediately I averted my eyes. Gryce's body refused to move.
"What would I do outside?".
His mom dropped what she was doing and turned her head. "Play, have fun, I guess. Better than staying cooped up here the entire day, right?" Gryce disagreed with the idea.
"Okay, I'll do that". For whatever reason, she laughed at my response. Against this body's wishes, I opened the door and stepped outside.
There was little feeling between the ground and my feet, unlike before; that creeping sleepiness was gone. Before I departed from the house, I took one last look at the rock that had provided me safety for my first human cycle and wished it goodbye. Placing the wilted Sunflower on top, I walked away as it finally matched with the rest.
Everything seemed a bit different in the eyes of a human, clearer in some ways and hued in others. With the added memory that Gryce provided me, I could identify which route each led to and the names of people he knew. Although in his body, I was hyper aware of every person who passed by me and gave me a look that lasted much longer than necessary. Originally, Gryce would ignore it, but in the pursuit of aiding Gryce before his return, I thought that giving them a taste of their medicine would draw them away. In a battle of staring contests, I reigned supreme, but something told me I wasn't aiding in anything, and I figured Gryce had the right idea in ignoring it.
I continued walking with little purpose; getting used to this body and the environment was my key priority, but that soon changed as other small humans came my way and Gryce's voice blared from within.
RUN
His mind had planted the idea at the forefront of everything else. Screaming a thought that made the control of my legs falter and become numb. There was no running from this.
They were the same kids that I'd seen outside his place on occasion. Couldn't have been older than Gryce, but they're much bigger than him, anyway. Compared to the size difference before, however, this was acceptable.
Even though there were three of them, I could tell Gryce had committed only one of them to memory. Out of the three boys, he remembered the one in the middle, whose name was,
"Jim"
They stopped in front of me and looked at each other. I didn't mean to say his name out loud, and neither did they.
"What do you want?".
"No, it's nothing; forget I said anything".
Before I had the chance to walk away, Jim grabbed me by the shoulder and pulled me toward him. Shocked, I attempted to break away from his grip, but my body refused to move.
"Where do you think you're going?".
His hand clenched my skin tightly, so much so that it sent shocks through my body. The two other boys looked at each other briefly before turning back to Jim.
"Is that really necessary right now?" One of them asked.
"Shut up or leave; I'm not going to do anything to him". He turned his attention back on me. "I'm just going to give him a friendly warning, that's all. Right, Gryce?" He wrapped his arm around my neck and squeezed. The action sent a wave of disgust throughout my body. Once again, a new emotion.
Jim was someone Gryce hated; therefore, I hated him as well. Every part of his body sent signals from his fist to his legs; rip him apart, preventing him from doing anything else. But I haven't fully acclimated to his memories or emotions; a part of me hopes it didn't, but only time could tell. For now at least, I resisted Gryce's impulses, but how long would that last? By the time I'm able to bring Gryce back, I needed to make sure everything was in order. Which meant Jim was to stay, but change all the same. But now wasn't the time for this. Jim mentioned something about school tomorrow. I'll worry about him, then.
Our interaction ended after I didn't communicate with him. The other two left with him at the end, making it clear, tomorrow would be important. But to me, there was nothing more important than this moment now.
In my other body, time felt so much longer than it was now. Walking aimlessly in this town for such a short time resulted in the night falling faster. In that time, however, I learned that this plague his parents spoke of was occurring in separate parts of town. Random spots of decay around fields, sections of dead crops. There was even a smell. It was rot. Only I could smell it. Even then, in that body, I seemed to still be connected to the Earth. When his hand brushed the decayed grass, I heard a scream. Something was happening here. Yet, I could do nothing. But I had an idea.
If what I learned was correct, then names had power. I was able to transfer into Gryce because he'd willingly given it to me. What would happen if they didn't?
Before the night ended, a light appeared ahead on the road, and a lone man came into view.