Chapter 307
Chapter 307 Episode 038 Memories can’t resist time (4)
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But when you’re alive and disaster falls upon you, not being able to make it through is the real catastrophe.
"When Winsley and I were returning home, we were caught in the waves. He was swept away trying to save me."
Janice Wood lowered her head, eyes fixated forward on the swaying green leaf in the wind. This was the first time since she explained the situation to Bard Walker that she was actually willing to speak about what had happened.
"At that time he was trying in every possible way to console me over the loss of my cousin, but I didn’t pay him any attention... Did you know, he was smiling as he pushed me away. His smile was warm. The waves were loud, I heard him shout, saying he wouldn’t die."
𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
It was a light voice speaking, scenes flashing in Janice’s mind, the last images of Winsley alive. It wasn’t always perceptible in everyday life, but when it really mattered, she suddenly realized the boy who was always clumsily trying to please her, who was cute and silly, had already found a way into her heart.
When all the surge subsided, she looked at the vast, desolate sea, weeping loudly.
That was the first time she hated the sea so much.
Her parents, her cousin, her...lover, everything was buried in this boundless ocean.
It seemed calm and gentle, yet it was an invisible killer.
Flossie Wright listened calmly to her words, raising an arm to hold her shoulder, somewhat moved for unknown reasons.
"Flossie, if it wasn’t for me, he wouldn’t have gone back. He wouldn’t have died." Janice grasped Flossie’s hand, with a certain firmness. She stared at Flossie, her eyes filled with teardrops. "Did you know, every moment I wish if my life could be exchanged for his, how good it would be."
What was holding Janice back was not only Winsley, but the guilt she felt when she realized Winsley died because of her. She wished someone would scold her. When her aunt hit and yelled at her, she didn’t feel a thing. But since she returned to the Forces, no one blamed her. Even Winsley’s parents told her that it was unrelated to her, that saving her was Winsley’s own choice. As long as she was alive, it was enough.
No one really blamed her, but she confined herself to a cage of guilt and sorrow, unable to escape.
Flossie looked at her quietly, then suddenly asked, "Do you want to cry?"
The moment the words came out, Janice blinked and tears slid down her cheeks, soaking her face.
She felt choked up inside; she needed to vent. Flossie’s words gave her a good excuse, so she sobbed uncontrollably in Flossie’s arms.
On the vast open land, only the sound of wind and rustling leaves could be heard. The sounds blending with the crying, torn into fragments by the wind and then scattered into nothingness.
Becca Reyes stood far, far away, watching the two sitting on the ridge. After hearing the heart-wrenching cries, she couldn’t help but feel relieved. She stood silent for a while and then turned to leave.
After a long time, Janice finally stopped crying.
A bit embarrassed, she climbed up from Flossie’s body. Her eyelashes were still wet, and her eyes misty. She looked at Flossie warily, feeling somewhat awkward, but her train of thought was interrupted by a pack of tissues thrown by Flossie.
"Thank... Thank you."
Janice nervously took the tissues, her discomfort apparent in her expression.
— End of Chapter 307 —