Her lifeless frame sat still on the rocking chair, smiling softly, tears staining her cheek. Alexis couldn’t hold it in anymore. The tears spilled freely. Just then, the sound of a car pulling up. Her mother rushed over to the porch, concern etched all over her face.

Darlynn: Alex…? What’s going on? Why is Nora… asleep? S-Shouldn’t she be awake?

Alexis didn’t answer, only cried harder. Darlynn’s breath caught in her throat as the truth set in.

Darlynn: Oh Nora... I didn’t even get to say goodbye… 

Darlynn then hugged her daughter as she too started shedding tears. She pulled Alexis into a hug, both mother and daughter breaking into quiet sobs. Later, Darlynn composed herself long enough to call an ambulance and inform Nora’s closest relatives, all already prepared, thanks to Nora’s careful planning. With heavy hearts, the two went home.

That evening, when Philip and Zachary returned, Darlynn broke the news. No words were needed. Their faces said everything. Zachary immediately hugged Alexis, holding her close. No one talked much. They simply felt together. Until dinner was done. Philip offered a quiet prayer in the living room, rosary in hand. Darlynn cleaned the dishes in silence.

Wanting to help, Zachary brought Alexis out for a walk.

Zachary: It’s chilly tonight, huh?

Alexis: Yeah.

Zachary: You warm enough? Want my scarf.

Alexis: I’m good.

 Sensing her detachment, he didn’t press. They walked in silence until they reached the old neighborhood playground. He parked her by the swing and took the one beside her, slowly rocking.

Zachary: You know you can talk to me, right-

Alexis: I’m tired…

He paused, letting her speak. Trying to choose the right words as a reply, she continued to talk.

Alexis: I’m tired of this life, Zach. This world… it’s cruel — not just to us. But to good people. They deserve better.  

Zachary: Everyone deserves better. But... you can’t have everything.  

She frowned.

Zachary: Look, if everything went your way today… what would you look forward to tomorrow?

His words hung in the air.

Zachary: If people never got sick, would they care for their health? If no one ever died… would life still mean something? If Mom was there with you at Nora’s… would it have made it hurt less?

Alexis lowered her gaze.

Alexis: No… But I didn’t expect it to happen so suddenly…

Tears welled again.

Zachary: We never do. That’s the thing about life — it doesn’t come with warnings. Just… moments.

Alexis: Why do bad things always happen to me… and to the people around me? Nora is gone, literally my only friend. Mom had to quit her job to care for me, you have to deal with having a sister like me, and Dad overworking just to sustain us... I feel like such a burden. 

He paused, crouched in front of her, gently placing his hand over hers.

Zachary: Hey, hey. You keep going back to that day. The tree. The fall. Like if you could’ve just held on one second longer… maybe everything would’ve stayed the same. But Lex… that fall didn’t ruin you. It gave you a different story to write.

He stood, brushing her hair back gently and patting her head with that familiar brotherly fondness.

Zachary: And no matter how the story goes — I’ve got you. Till the end of time, I swear. Even if you hate depending on people, tough luck. You’ve got no choice but to lean on me. Your stubborn big brother, at your service. 

Her tears spilled over as he patted her head again, staying by her until she was done pouring her heart out.

Alexis: Thanks, Zach. You can stop being corny now.

Zachary wiped away her tears as she joked to lighten the mood. Zachary sighed and chuckled,

Zachary: You’re such a buzzkill. And just so you know, you are not a burden. I deal with machineries way heavier than you.

Alexis: Hehe yeah yeah. But really… thank you.

Zachary: You're very welcome. Just make sure you mention me to Dr. Hanson next time so I can shoot my shot.

Alexis: Oh my God, can you not??

He laughed — and finally, she smiled.

Reaching home, Zachary helped Alexis to her bedroom so their mother can help her change into her pajamas and tucked her in with care.

Darlynn: You look happier. Your brother really knows how to cheer you up.

Alexis gave a tired smile.

Darlynn: Now rest, okay? Maybe you’ll look better tomorrow.

Confused at her mother’s expression, she raised a brow.

Alexis: “Look” better?

Hesitantly her mother responded:

Darlynn: You’ve lost so much weight… and you’re getting paler every day…

Alexis: I-I am…?

Her chest tightened. She had felt weaker, but chalked it up to meds since she can’t exactly mention about what is really happening to her for the last few days.

Alexis: It’s probably the meds, Mom. Don’t worry too much…

Darlynn forced a smile and wished her good night, switching off the light. The room fell quiet.

Alexis: /monologue/ Probably not the meds. Maybe it’s the fact my soul keeps leaving my body…

As sleep took her, darkness did too. And suddenly, she wasn’t herself. She blinked into awareness, now in a different body.

Alexis: Are you for real? I can’t even get a full night’s sleep— Wait. This place… looks familiar.

The body she inhabited leaned over a kitchen counter. Then — a voice.

Darlynn: What a crazy day…

The woman murmurred under her breath as she gave out a sigh.

Alexis: That voice… No way… The woman looked up toward the window, and Alexis saw a faint reflection in the glass. But that reflection was enough for her to tell who's body she is in this time.

Alexis: Mom?!

She blinked, confused.

Alexis: Why Mom? she thought. I wasn’t even curious about her… I thought this ‘ability’ only activated when I wanted to know something.

Her heart thumped.

Still unsure what triggered this shift, she shook the thought off. Maybe this time, she was just… meant to see.

Darlynn made herself a cup of tea, her usual remedy before bed, and headed to the bedroom. Her husband was still awake, seated upright with a thick book in hand.

Darlynn: Haven’t you read that book a few times now?

She smiled, settling beside him with her tea. Philip didn’t look away from the page.

Philip: Reading it once or twice isn’t enough to master the material.

Darlynn: But don’t you only specialize in Astrophysics?

Philip: Yes. But I’ll be subbing in for Professor Ang’s mechanical engineering class while she’s on maternity leave.

Darlynn placed the mug in her lap, concern softening her expression.

Darlynn: Aren’t you already handling too much? I don’t want you to overwork yourself.

 Philip didn’t glance her way.

Philip: I have to. For Alexis' sake.

Alexis: F-for me…?

The quiet confession stunned her. Darlynn turned away from him. Her hands trembled lightly around the mug.

Darlynn: I’m sorry things turned out this way. That our daughter has to suffer like this. If only I hadn’t let her go out that day-

A sharp thump broke her sentence. Philip had closed the book firmly.

Philip: Stop blaming yourself for what happened.

Darlynn: But if I hadn’t let her-

Philip: Darlynn. It was an accident. A tragic one, yes. But no amount of guilt will reverse it. What Alexis needs now isn’t a mother who’s stuck in regret. She needs a mother who believes in her. Who sees her future, not just the past. You of all people should know that.

Although his only visible shift was the furrowing of his brow, his voice remained steady.

Philip: She’s not broken. She’s not lesser. Alexis is still our daughter—brilliant, stubborn, funny, and full of heart. She needs you to remember that. Because if you can’t see it, how do you expect her to.

 Darlynn kept quiet, her eyes glistening. She took another sip of tea in silence. Philip sighed gently, placing his book on the table by the bed. He offered a short prayer under his breath, then laid down, facing away.

Philip: You need to fix your heart and your mindset regarding this matter, or it’ll take a toll on both you and Alexis. I don't want to hear another word about this. Goodnight.

Darlynn: Okay... Goodnight.

Finishing her tea, she turned off the bedside lamp and slid into bed, mirroring his position, facing away.

Alexis: Why do they act so distant towards each other… I don’t like this… Is it because of me?

Half-blaming herself for the tension between her parents, Alexis slowly drifted to sleep along with her mother.

As soon as her mother woke up that morning, she went to the bathroom to do her usual business, then changed into a casual outfit for the day. Her husband sat at the dining table with a mug of black coffee in one hand and a newspaper in the other.

Alexis: So this is their usual morning routine…

Darlynn: Good morning, darling.

Philip: Mornin’.

Still not glancing away from his reading material, Philip’s coldness stung. Darlynn’s smile faltered slightly. Just then, footsteps echoed down the stairs—Zachary, still in pajamas, entered and rummaged through the fridge.

Philip: Why aren’t you dressed?

Zachary peeked at his father, who now looked up at him blankly.

Zachary: The boss requested us to clock in during lunch so we can work till eight today instead of the daily five.

Philip: Again? Your boss needs to manage your schedule better.

Zachary shrugged and sat at the table.

Zachary: I don’t mind. As long as I get paid. Plus, I like working with the new machines they brought in.

Philip: That’s fair. Also, I need a few clarifications on this topic.

Philip folded the newspaper, pulled out the Mechanical Engineering textbook he had been reading last night, and began pointing out a few notes. The father and son drifted into an animated intellectual discussion, while Darlynn quietly stirred a pot of porridge at the stove.

Alexis: Umm… Mom? Are you actually jealous they’re talking?

Darlynn gritted her teeth in frustration, then whispered to her thoughts.

Darlynn: Today it is.

Alexis being entrapped in her mother’s body wondered what that meant. Somehow, those thoughts made her nervous.

Alexis: Today? What do you mean…?