[24.1] A Piece of Life

My legs trembled as I walked through the thick black smoke that clouded my vision.

I couldn't see anything.

The more I tried to open my eyes, the more they burned in agony.

I fell to my knees dropping the thick rolls of paper out of my hand.

My coughing grew erratic as my hands crawled around on the ground trying to find the things I had dropped.

My fingertips finally brushed against the familiar feeling of canvas and dragged it towards me.

Why can't I stand…

Why can't I breathe…

With my last ounce of strength, I pulled the rolls of canvas towards me and hid them under my body.

The last thing I heard was the rasping of my own voice and the deafening crackling noises around me.

…

My eyes shot open to the sound of coughing in the small one-room shack.

Della coughed and waved a fan to disperse smoke as Patrick quickly opened the windows.

I sat up, rubbing my throbbing head, and watched as they tried to air out the room. My voice came out hoarsely, "Why is there smoke? Did something burn?"

They both abruptly froze and looked at each other.

Patrick shrugged at Della and motioned at her to speak.

She spun around with a soft smile, "I just burnt some food. It's nothing to worry about."

I looked over at the small stove but didn't see any sign of food being cooked.

She quickly walked over to me and felt my forehead, "How are you feeling? Do you have a fever?"

I let out a sigh as I leaned my head against her hand and felt the soothing coldness emanate from her. I mumbled, "I'm fine."

It has been two years since I first opened my eyes in this world.

Even with all the passing days, Della still looked as flawless and beautiful as ever.

She pulled off my blanket and held out her hand, "Shall we try walking further today?"

I nodded and took her hand.

She took me outside where it wasn't smokey and together we walked down the long dirt road. My legs trembled uncontrollably, but I remained focused on the walk. Anytime I stumbled, Della was there to catch me in her comforting embrace.

The neighbors were gardening in their yards and looked up to watch, cheering me on.

"Atta girl, Reika!"

"Look at you! You're walking so fast today!"

"Ah! Before you know it, she'll be running!"

I puffed out my cheeks and mumbled under my breath, "They are treating me like a child."

Della giggled and pulled at my pouting cheek, "What did you expect would happen when you look like a child?"

I rolled my eyes, "Still though."

Once my legs started giving out from the exertion, we turned back around. Even though I desperately wanted to finish walking back, my legs had different plans.

Della eventually carried me back, passing by the neighbors who were cheering me on earlier.

"It's okay Reika! You'll get it next time!"

"That's right, don't give up!"

I grumbled, "I won't forgive them for treating me like a-"

An elderly woman ran out of her house with a tray of food, "Here, Reika! Have a lemon tart for doing such a good job!"

My eyes lit up as I licked my lips, "Okay!!!"

Della laughed and brought me over. Once I took a large piece, she continued walking. She whispered to me, "I thought you didn't like being treated like a child?"

I shrugged, "When there are tarts involved, I don't mind."

She laughed, "You really do love those… Oh! Don't eat it all, you still have to have lunch."

Before she could take it away, I shoved it into my mouth.

She shook her head, "Naughty girl."

When we arrived back, Patrick had finished preparing the meal. Once we finished eating, he handed me a piece of chalk.

"Shall we practice our magic circles again today?"

I nodded in excitement and took the chalk from him. In the backyard, we practiced on the cement. My hands were still weaker than they had been in my past world, but they were gradually improving.

At first, my magic circles weren't very good; but the more I practiced, the better I got.

Patrick pinched my cheeks, "I think my skill at magic circles has finally been surpassed."

Della, who had been watching through the window, let out a laugh, "She's a natural talent."

My eyelids grew heavy and slowly started to close. I fought the exhaustion, but having the body of a toddler was far more powerful than the adult mind that controlled it.

The chalk rolled out of my head and along the ground as my head drooped down.

Patrick smiled softly at me before hoisting me up, "You worked really hard today."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and snuggled in as I tried to fight off the impending sleep.

Della watched us with a grin as we walked back inside, "Is it naptime?"

I mumbled under my breath as I allowed Patrick to carry me to the only bed we had, "I'm not tired… I can still… I can still practice…"

Della tossed aside the laundry, "Well, I'm sleepy! Let's take a nap together!"

Patrick threw her a look, "Weren't you supposed to clean today?"

She made a guilty look, "Maybe…"

"Did you finish?"

"...No."

He laughed, "Della."

She pouted for a moment before her face lit up. She hiked up her dress and pulled out her poorly repaired wand from her sock. With a flick of her wrist and a command, the laundry cleaned and folded itself.

His smile twitched, "Della."

She ignored him and jumped into the bed to join me, "Naptime!"

I chuckled and shook my head.

Who is the real child here?

Patrick let out a sigh, "How dare you two just fall asleep during the day. Don't you realize you could be missing out on life by sleeping?"

He then pushed the two of us over and squeezed in on my other side.

I raised an eyebrow, "Why are you getting in bed now?"

He closed his eyes and hummed, "Shh… It's naptime."

I let out a laugh and shook my head. However, I couldn't complain.

It finally feels like I have the family I always wanted.