Death's Curses

I’d been floundering, trying to figure out what it meant to be a person without my twin. Uncle Victor and Esmer, thank God, had been patient with me. But Jasmine was done being patient. That’s why she’d finally spoken to me today. She was nudging me on, like she always did. Only this was the last time.
Go. Be. Live.
For me. For you. For us.
I took a deep breath and slowly let it out. I rubbed my eyes with the palms of my hands. Esmer made a sympathetic sound, reaching toward me.
“It’s okay.” I cleared my throat, casting a look around the restaurant. “You’re right. I’m being an ass.” I nodded at her shoulder. “It was a nice gesture. I’m sure Jasmine appreciates it.”
If Esmer was experiencing whiplash from my crazy range of emotions, she didn’t show it. She just nodded once and went back to her meal.
“I, uh, got an email from Mrs. Smith today,” I said, eager to change the subject.
“Yeah?”
“She wants to fly you, me, and Uncle Vic out to visit them in Paris. What do you think? Want to go?”
Esmer sent me a mischievous smile from beneath her lashes. “Oh, hell yeah.”
I couldn’t help grinning back. Maybe I’d like traveling. Maybe I’d hate it. In the end, it didn’t matter. I’d be doing what Jasmine asked. And who knew? Maybe I’d end up doing a little bit of living along the way.

About the Authors
Becca Fox is a socially awkward introvert who loves to read and write, binge watch crime-solving shows and anime, and play videogames next to her gamer husband. She also loves to bake, and plan trips she hopes to one day take. She has a toddler and a crawler, which means that her house truly is as messy as you’re imagining.
Martha Agundez has a BA in English from Sacramento State University. She worked as a tutor at the Sacramento State University Writing Center for two semesters and was a journalist for The State Hornet Newspaper for one semester. She was also the Calaveras Station Literary Journal Fiction Section Editor for a semester. She has worked as a 916Ink manuscript copy editor for three years and counting, while also offering her editing services as a freelancer.