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Dew slid down off the tiny blade of grass, sun subtly reflecting off each tiny drop. Cool winds softly blew past the hundreds of wildflowers in the tiny valley a worn soldier sat alone. He had gotten up early to see the view of the sun rising between multiple perfectly placed mountain peaks. The boy wanted to experience something like this one last time.
He wanted to experience a memory he had long forgotten until recently. A memory of when the boy was much younger and he had been dragged there by his older brother. The younger of the two had whined about getting up so early but the eldest had told him it would all be worth it. If the younger boy had a choice, he would have much rather stayed up a bit later in order to see the hundreds of stars he could have seen in this valley. In all honesty, he preferred the stars more than he had preferred the sun, even though he had been told multiple times the sun IS a star.
His eldest brother had told him it was accurate considering most people who have met the boy would describe the child as if he was a shooting star, someone radiating with light, always on the move, and he would have a smile plastered on him no matter the situation.
However, these days his smile no longer shined brightly. His once loud laughter that would liven a room had been replaced by awkward laughs and small smiles. He was no longer the bright star he had often been described as. This once bright star could now only be described as the aftermath and the left overs of a star that had run its course. One that had imploded in on itself and no longer shined brightly.
And so, the not so bright shining star sat there. Waiting for the brightest star to peak out from mountains. Passing the time by picking the valley’s flowers and stuffing them in his pockets. Unable to handle the overwhelming smell of death he emitted. He had not chosen this; it was brought upon him after he had died in the prison. Those who die are not supposed to do that, so when the boy was unnaturally brought back, his body had continued the process of decomposition.
He had noticed his bodies breakdown about a week after getting out, when butterflies and other creatures of decomposition had begun following the boy. He had swatted the creatures away in the beginning, but had later given up on that thought. Ignoring the creatures that would float around him, studying his moves as if they knew he was a freak of nature.
The boy had later been told by his father that he had smelled of death,
“I know the smell of death too well...” The man had stated solemnly.
After that the boy had begun stuffing flowers into any pockets he could. The smell had become unbearable so he hid it with the sweet scents of flowers he’d pick up randomly while walking around, or those he had been gifted by his friends.
“Tommy!?” A confused shout could be heard from afar. Tommy’s thoughts cut off by his older brother, Wilbur, “Surprising to see you here.” he spoke, amused. The man strides over to his younger brother and stands beside the boy, still sitting and holding a couple flowers. Tommy nodded replying with a simple, “Ayup.”
Not wanting to go without silence for too long Wil spoke up, “What’re you doing here, Toms?”
“The same thing you’re doin here I’m guessing.” Tommy spoke jaded, but continued on, “To watch the sunrise again.”
“You do this often?” Wil spoke softly, his tone had been one that surprised Tommy. It had been quite some time since he had last heard his brother speak like this. He had assumed the same memories had started flooding back in. Ones where times were better. Where they were once happy and had few worries. Where the young boy could rest his head on his older brother when he was tired and lie there, staring at the few stars left in the sky as the sun finally started to rise.
Wil had sat down next to Tommy at this point watching as the golden rays of light peaked through each crevasse. The snow placed at the top of each peak sparkling as light reflected off of it. Tommy sat there, staring at the view. Unable to look away. It had been just as beautiful as the first time he’d seen it. He remembered he had been just as in awe as he was now.
He hadn’t seen the way his older brother stared at him. Hints of guilt lied behind his smile. It was the same way he had looked at Tommy when they had talked for the first time in so long. He didn’t have it in him to apologize then, apologize for all the horrible things he put his brother through. And he’s not sure if he has it in him to say a simple, “sorry,” for any of that either.
For now, however he’ll sit here, with his younger brother, who shined so bright, and watch the sun rise. So beautiful, and so warm.
Much different than the chill the two felt. Bodies tend to grow cold after a while.
The silence between the two was comfortable. The only sounds surrounding them was the noise of the forest. Birds singing quietly, wind blowing by softly, the sound of a river flowing rapidly, and the quiet breathing of the two.
It stayed like this until the oh so beautiful sight they had come up here to see had ended. Tommy hadn’t wanted it to end, he had been having a good time, sitting quietly with his brother, and watching the sunrise over the valley. Tommy didn’t stand, neither did Wilbur. They sat for the next few minutes and when they finally stood Wil was ready to speak.
“Tommy... I-” he paused for a moment, trying to find his words. The younger stared at him questioningly. Words rushed by in his mind, and yet he still couldn’t find the ones he’s looking for. So instead of trying to explain to the boy he pulled him into a hug. Finally, spewing words of regret.
Tommy wanted to feel like he deserved the apologies. But he couldn’t, he couldn’t accept the hug or the apologies. He stood there motionless; arms awkwardly wrapped around his brother, breathing slowly trying to calm himself, and listened to the rambles of his brother. He hadn’t been listening, but he knew from the tone it was true. The words were laced with sadness and regret. Full of guilt and heartbreak.
However, his apologies weren’t for his past actions, but instead, for the pain Tommy will be subjected to for the next few moments.
Those words confirmed something Tommy had been suspicious of since the moment he woke up. Death was coming to reclaim him.
Wil had staring rambling again, with something in his hand raised towards Tommy’s back. Tommy did nothing but hug his older brother and assure him, “It’ll be okay,” he patted his brother’s back and let out a soft laugh. He didn’t hold anything against this man. He had been raised by him and so he had no reason to be mad at him.
With one final reassurance a knife was brought. It hadn’t hurt as much as he thought it would at first. But the pain slowly set in as the two slid to the ground. Tommy’s breathing quickened as Wil consoled the boy. Whispering apologies in between quiet sobs. “It had to be done Tommy, I’m so sorry.” Tommy lied there choking in between his own breaths. Sharp pains stabbing his heart as he bled. Blood trickling slowly down the dagger, making Wil throw it to the side.
Being reminded of a time when the two were younger, Tommy began to speak about it.
“Remember... remember when you broke your arm that one time...” He paused to breathe in, “After you fell out of the really big willow tree on the farm...”
Wil laughed grimly, “Yeah, you cried so much more than me.” Tommy glared at the man, “I don’t cry. You’re obviously just trying to...” Another breath, “Just trying to feel better about yourself.”
Another laugh, this one louder than the last, “Techno... he came running towards us with this dumb look on his face,” Two more deep breaths. Each heavier than the last, “Like one of use had died or something...”
“I’m sure by the way you were... I was reacting he had thought one of us HAD died.” Wil argued.
Tommy’s talking became much slower, having to take time to form each word, “Yeah well... he picked us both up and carried us to the house.”
“Cause he had no clue what he was doing with two crying children with one of them obviously injured...” Wil continued on with the story wanting his brother to focus a bit more on breathing.
“By the time Techno made his way inside Phil had already gotten supplies out for whatever injury...” Wil recalled his father not reacting much to the boys mangled arm other than slight sigh. Almost relieved that it was only a broken bone.
Wil started stroking his younger brother’s hair. Trying his best to comfort the boy in his last few moments. And Tommy spoke one last time, “That was a good day... cause... cause we all sat by the fire listening to Tech tell stories... and... Phil and Techno ...had to stay home for the next few months...” the young boy took in a quiet breath, “in order to help take care of you...”
That was the end of the story. And the end of Tommy’s fourth life.
The only noises left were birds singing, wind blowing by softly, the sound of a river flowing rapidly, and the quiet sobbing of a brother who lost his shooting star. A shooting star that has finally lost all of its spark and can finally rest.