The Death of Us

by C.A. Mariah

“I chose you because you came from the same tracks I did. Because you got out when I couldn’t. And because if anyone was going to hear me, it was going to be the little girl who grew up right across the street.”

“For this? I’ve lived decades without a speck of life in me, without a beating heart in my chest—with the scars, aching bones, and memories to remind me of my mistakes. I’m done now. I can rest now. I just need you to be honest… Tell the truth. Tell the world we were monsters but that we were kids, too. Raped, beaten, and brutalized kids. Tell them what they did to us. Tell them how they got away with it. Tell them the truth about us, and don’t let them slander Cade’s name…not anymore.”

“Wait!” I swivel in my chair just as Officer Cyrus stands from his. “There has to be something. I… I don’t want you to die.” “Oh, honey,” she whispers, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes, “All they’re doing is setting me free.”

“She wa-is my sister.” She says it with as much strength as she can, but the word breaks her anyway.

When Bunny is all tied in, the warden turns to face us. “At this time, we offer the condemned a chance to speak their last words.” With a quick nod, he gives her the floor, stepping aside so she may see us all.

Through the echoey speaker, I listen to her choked inhale before she releases a watery laugh. Holding out her hand, she spreads her fingers wide. “I love you, jellybean.” Missy breaks down beside me, holding her hand out in the same way. “I love you, too, Bunny.”

“Do you think of me every time you look in the mirror? Do you see my smile in every reflection, Mr. Marone? How about Cade? Do you see him, too? I do. He’s with me now. Can you feel him?”

“Are you excited to see me die?” She continues, her smile only growing. “Finally ready to be rid of me? Let me tell you something. You can take my breath. You can take my life, but that scar, the faces you see when you look yourself in the eye, those are mine. Your thoughts, they belong to me. They belong to Cade. You get to live with that, Mr. Marone. It's our gift to you, a reminder of who you belong to.”

I can barely conceal my elation when I see that grin light up her expression. Bunny’s laughter is uncontrollable as the recording continues to play, and her face is full of victory when she sees the viewers taking it all in. Finally, I watch the weight of her pain release from her shoulders as she settles back against the wood. “I can go now,” are her last words, and she goes with a smile, finally resting with her other half.

“I brought this for you,” he whispers, sliding a rectangular object into my hand. Carefully, I bring it high enough for me to see, eyeing the old photo of Cade and me in the cup of my palm.

And when I did, I saw him there, that beautiful smile, waiting for me. I love you. Until the end.

“Those pieces are long gone. I don’t want them back, but if doing this helps Bun hold on to whatever is left, then I’ll do it with pleasure.”

As fucked as it is to say, I’m glad Marone took me because it gave me you. And now we’re doing this, and they’re paying for what they’ve done, and I’m scared, Bun. I’m scared because I can’t lose you. Not when I just got you.

I can handle my pain, but yours is one I can’t survive. You’re sleeping now, and for once, I feel no fear from you. I dream of the nights I can look over and never see that fear again.

I love you, Bun. I don’t know when I’ll find the nerve to say it, but I do. I love you, Bunny. Until the end.