Summer
Post by Professor Theodore Larsen on Dec 16, 2011 1:13:07 GMT -5
The rain slammed against him as he ran, small droplets stabbing into his eyes like needles making sight almost impossible. He squinted, taking a running jump, hoping the dark shape in front of his was another roof and not his eyes playing tricks on him. He landed, relief and pain flowing through him, as his feet smacked against the hard, flat roof of the building. He crouched involuntarily, falling to his knees. He looked around quickly before springing back up and continuing to race across the roof. This really wasn't worth it, he was cold, wet, and in pain. Things had been much better down on the streets were he could actually escape the rain.
He cursed himself silently for his weaknesses, jumping to the next roof, his long coat billowing out around him. He imagined he looked a lot like Batman, jumping from rooftop to rooftop, clad all in black. That almost made it worth it, he was the Dark Knight, saving the city from evil! It was a nice thought, but it didn't last long. He just had to keep reminding himself that once he was done with this he could go home, kiss the girls goodnight, and curl up on the couch with Delilah and a cup of hot chocolate. By the time he got home it was always too late for coffee, and he needed his sleep. He was spending tomorrow with his nephew, and Sebastian demanded a lot of attention and energy.
He heard something, and stopped abruptly, skidding on the slick roofing before catching himself and looking around. He heard it again, a soggy shuffling coming from the other side of the roof. Pursing his lips he slowly approached, he pulled out his wand, the tip lighting immediately. There it was, standing in the far corner, it's body contorted into a menacing position, mirrored eyes shining in the wand-light. "Here kitty kitty…" He called, trying to make his voice sound as warm and friendly as he possibly could. The cat hissed at him, baring its teeth at him. "Common, don't be like that," He cooed, walking slowly towards the sopping ball of fur, arms outstretched "I can get you all nice and DRY!" with that last word he jumped, launching himself at the cat his wand, which he had not though about, flying out of his hand, it's light extinguishing.
The cat screeched, but it was too far away, at first he was confused, but then he realized what had happened. He's misjudged himself, and instead of catching the cat as he'd intended, he had sent himself flying over the edge of the roof. His mind was blank, and he was falling. Diving down towards the cold hard ground below. Why? It was the first thing that came to mind. Why him? Why now? Why this way? Why had felt the need to save some little girls stupid cat when he could've just gone home. Why?
It seemed to have take forever, the falling. He was just another raindrop, racing towards the earth at an unimaginable speed to join the collective. Then, he hit. Pain blossomed in his shoulder, which hit first, and then spread throughout the rest of his body. Her ripped and crunched, bone and muscle pulverized in mere seconds. His body twisted, vertebrae snapping, his body slowly numbing. The pain was ebbing, slowly being replaced by…nothing. It's always said your life flashes before your eyes in that last moment.That last moment before everything ends and your light is extinguished, put out like an ember in the rain. Brandon had never believed it. Never believed that someones entire life you be smushed down into a matter of minutes. But now, it was all so clear.
Too clear. It was like everything was happening at once, every laugh, every love, every heartbreak, every tear. It was ripping him apart, he tried to open his mouth to scream but no noise escaped, only blood and saliva. It was hard to breathe, if Brandon was thinking logically he would've thought one of his shattered ribs had punctured his lung. But there was no time for logic, no time for thought. Around him, people were emerging from their homes, screaming for help or simply standing there and staring. He didn't care, he didn't even notice their presence, he was too busy bleeding out in the street. He saw them all before his eyes, friends and family. Only memories, but they seemed so real he thought he could reach out and touch them. To hug Ariana, or kiss one of her beautiful daughters he would never be able to know. To hold Delilah and their daughters just one last time.
He knew it was a lie, all of it. He knew he was alone, completely and utterly. He knew he was dying, the blood that kept him running being washed away by the rain water that still fell from the dark nights sky. At that moment he knew everything, he just chose to ignore it. He wanted to live the lie that told him his mother was holding him, Kathleen telling him it would all be fine, even if he could only live it for a few moments before it was all gone. He'd close his eyes. He knew how horrible it was to have to stare into the vacant, lifeless eyes of the dead, he didn't want to put anyone through that. He'd just close his eyes, and then he could just…go…and everything would be fine.
His eyelashes fluttered, and a loud hacking sound shook Brandon's twisted form. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he laughed, wheezing painfully before beginning to cry. To think that his entire life had lead up to this moment. 30 years of idiocy ending with him dying because he wanted to save some strangers child the sorrow of losing a pet. It was pathetic...it was...it was...only what could be expected. After all, he was Brandon Darcy Quinn, and he could always blame it on the rain.----
It was early, too early. The sun was gone, hidden behind the thick fog that seemed to move in the with fall weather. It was really quite beautiful, in a horribly dreary and depressing way, the gray of the sky contrasted deeply from the bright reds, yellows, and oranges that colored the land. Theodore walked briskly through the cemetery, dragging a scrawny boy along beside him. He wanted it to be over already, he hated it…he hated funerals. He hadn't had to attend one since the death of his sister, almost eleven years ago, he'd hoped to keep it that way. Things had been going so well, everything had been so right. Of course something would go wrong.
He and Brand hadn't exactly been close during their school years, he had only really known who he was because of all the insanely loud fights he engaged it, and Aurora's constant worrying over his relationship with her sister. Brandon hadn't been the kind of person Theodore had socialized with, though back then Theo hadn't exactly had much of a social life. Brandon was loud and rude, constantly bickering with someone, whether it be friend or foe. In all truth Theodore had hated him, but people changed.
They had been family. Brandon had been his brother, and now he was dead. Theodore still didn't believe that it had really happened. He expected Brandon to hop out of an empty grave and surprise them all…it would all be some horrible joke. But he knew better, he had to. He couldn't deny truth anymore, not like he could when he was younger. He was a father now, he had to be responsible, responsible and strong. Strong for himself, for his children, for Aurora, and Delilah. For everyone. He looked down at Sebastian, wanting to say something, to find a way to reach out to his son, but he was too scared of what might happen if he opened his mouth.
He continued forward, hoping he was going in the right direction. He had no idea where to go in this strange place, he just thought if he continued to walk forwards he'd stumble upon what would soon be Brandon's grave. He examined everything restlessly, his eyes darting in every direction, not wanting to pass it by mistake. The cemetery was old, its tombstones and mausoleums covered in moss and lichens. Giant crosses and marble angels rising up above the rest of the grave-markers in a strange and horrific glory. He was beginning to think he should stop, wait for some of the others to arrive so they could find their way together, but then he saw it.
Several hundred feet away, under a large maple tree sat the casket. It was ebony, the dark wood seeming to radiate with a dark aura in the chilly autumn air. Theodore stopped, causing Sebastian to jerk backwards suddenly as he attempted to process onwards. A man and a woman stood there, both with dark auburn hair. The man was holding the woman, who was sobbing uncontrollably into his chest. Theo did not want to intrude, everyone needed time to grieve. He did not recognize the two figures, but he assumed they were members of Brandon's adoptive muggle family, and the reason they were burying him in Dublin. Sebastian stood beside him silently for a moment before looking up at his father and speaking. "Dad, why did we stop?" he asked, his voice echoing through the empty air.
Theodore looked down at his son slightly started, "I-" Theodore cut himself off and looking back up to the couple standing besides the casket. They'd heard Bastian and were now staring back at Theo. He nodded solemnly, and watched as they turned away, the man supporting the woman as they left in the other direction. "No reason Sebastian…" he said softly, taking his sons hand once more and leading him over to the now abandoned coffin. His stomach dropped as he stared down at the dark wood, it beauty disgusted him, but all he could do was stand there and wait. The others would be arriving soon.
