Nearly ten years had passed, but Morisot looked like she had hardly aged a day. She used to spend hours staring at herself, wondering how she still looked like she was about nineteen. Eventually, she gave up looking at herself at all. She could walk out in public with nothing on and no one would so much as blink at her unless she did something to get their attention. It really didn’t matter what she did.
Although, her kids were another story. Eakins was close to being twelve now, and he definitely looked it. At a height of 4 feet-7 inches and weighing a total of 98 pounds…yeah, he had grown. Same for little Kei. The toddler had grown and now claims the age of nine. Roughly three and a half feet— about sixty pounds.
Now, for years the children have known that there was something wrong with their world, but their mother didn’t discuss it with them. All they knew is Mo would get dressed, leave, and come back exhausted. Whenever the tots had mustered the courage to ask her why she had to go she’d say what she always did. I fight for our existence. I won’t let us be forgotten.
But today was different. When Morisot had come home she didn’t even try for the door. Instead she just let herself collapse on her snow-covered lawn. It was cold. But that’s okay. It was always cold. It snowed every day. There was no hurry to get to the sales at the stores, either. The Christmas sales never ended, despite what the ads showed.
Eakins and Kei stared out the window at their mother for a while until Eakins got up to go out and meet her where she lay. “ ‘Ay, mum. Door’s this way.”
“I know,” she mumbled through the snow.
He sighed and walked over to where she was before sitting next to her. “What is it?”
“You’re a smart kid, ya’know.” His mother’s words brought of look of interest to his face. “You know there’s something wrong. You’ve always known.”
“Well, duh,” he answered teasingly.
“..I bet you don’t remember when the sun used to come out and warm the green trees.”
Eakins’ brow furrowed. “Mum, those were just bedtime stories. It’s never actually warm outside.”
Mo sat up and looked at her son. “It used to be. And somewhere else it still is.” For a moment there was a look of disbelief on her son’s face; the look slowly melted away as he realized how serious she was. Mo took his hand in hers and stood up. “Take off your clothes, I want to show you something.”
The two of them shed their layers of clothing before leaving the house. As they headed to a public area Eakins started to drag his feet. “Hey, there’s people over there. If we’re going to go this way, we need clothes.”
She stopped and shook her head at him before pulling forward. “We don’t. Watch.” They walked right out into the crowded area. Couples, holding hands, walked by. Groups of friends moved around them. A businessman even made his way right between them. It was like…no one noticed them at all. His mother let go of his hand and let him take a closer look. His eyes were very wide and he took a couple steps closer to a human.
“I..I’ve never seen one so close…ya’know..besides dad.”
‘And that was a long time ago,’ he thought.
“Our world has stopped. We were once in a world that changed along with everyone in it. But we were pulled out of that world and placed in one that no longer changes.”
The twelve-year old turned to look at his mother. “..Why?”
“That’s what happens when you’ve been cut off.”
“So we’re just stuck here until we die?!”
“No,” she answered quietly. Her calmness had an effect her son and Eakins suddenly became very quiet. “We were left here to disappear and stop existing. It’s actually a short process.”
The young mutant narrowed his eyes and sat on the floor with a huff. It was a lot to take in. Obviously the process had been interrupted; he was sure this was because of his mother. He’s seen how tired she’s been when she comes home. She really was fighting for their existence.
“When you go out tomorrow..” His voice was low and serious. “Take me with you.”
The older mutant crinkled her nose and looked away. “No. You have to look after your brother.”
“He’s nine. He’s fine on his own.”
Her head swiveled to meet her son’s determined eyes. “I said no.”
“But, muuuum!” He threw his arms in the air. “I’m a ‘smart kid’, remember? You go out doing who-knows what and come back barely keeping us alive. With my help we can do more than just survive!”
She bit lip and shook her head. “Kei needs constant supervision. You stay home.”
Eakins growled in frustration. “When I was Kei’s age I didn’t need any supervision! What do you think he’s going to do?!”
Eakins was going to go on but stopped himself when he saw his mom’s eyes soften and fill with a deep sadness. “You don’t want to know.”
His eyes widened. “..Mum, is there something wrong with Kei?”
“There’s nothing wrong with your brother.” For a moment her eyes avoided his before taking his hand and starting to head home. “Come on. We’ll..” She paused and sucked in a shaky breath. “We’ll see about tomorrow. I’ll think about it.”
