Vale's story

The second goodbye (part 1)

Today's the day. The day we take mother to Passing Rig. The place our ancestors would go after a member of our people pass way. A place to prepare them for their next journey. I didn't want to go, or do this. But father said it is a thing we must carry out as one of our kind. Being it'd be a disgraceful thing or something. Since when did he care about all that crap? We're the only ones left if our kind after all. I don't think our 'ancestors' will be all that offended. But I don't question dad. Not worth the beating or being told to be put back in line. So, I just keep my mouth shut as I watch him finish repairing mother on the bed. She was wrapped up in a bundle. Unable to see what she looked like before. He finished with the finishing touches as he tucked in the last of Quarrelean flowers into the ropes that bond around her. They glowed a gentle blue, and somehow swayed on their own. Like a breath of wind creeped in. They made her look not so scary anymore. More of a, comforting presence. Why the flowers? It's another ancestor thing. Saying it'll guide her soul on her next journey. Sure, whatever. I obviously don't believe in all this. I think when you die, that's it. The end, lights out. But, I hate to think that for her. I do hope there's at least a better world she's going to. Better then here.. I snap back to reality when I hear my name being repeated louder by my dad. Crap. Stay in the moment you idiot. "Are you listening to me boy?" My dad spoke out harshly, and my head jerked up to him. And I quickly pinned back my ears. "No sir.." he scowled, and waved his hand up in the direction behind me. I flinched, thinking his hand was going to make contact with my head. "I said go get the harness. Cole should have found it by now." I quickly nodded, not daring to look back up at him again. "Yes sir." And I ran out of the bed room and outside as quickly as I could. It was early morning, the sun just coming over the fields of our place. Birds already high in the air and chirping happily. But today wasn't a happy day. This was a day of mourning. A day of saying goodbye, and I wasn't ready for it. But I needed to be brave. For her.. So I took in a breath of the morning air, and continue on my way to the barn where I last saw Cole. It was old and had no paint, but it held together fine. Kept the sheep safe, and the crops dry. If there was any. But not this year. This year had been hard on us. So much rain this year to the point it drown out our harvest. And we sold all our livestock for mother's medical bills. And they did nothing in saving her. I sighed at the thought and pushed my emotions aside. I came up to the barn, and the doors where wide open. Probably still from Cole going in before. I had just made it inside when I hear coughing, and it's a bad one at that. I suddenly come to realization and booked it inside. "Cole?!" I almost yell, darting my head around for any sign of him. Then I heard a weak voice between coughing. "O-over here bud." My head snapped over to my left and I could see Cole bent over in a few stalls away. I give a heavy sigh and walk over to him. He was just finishing his coughing spree and taking in some much needed breaths. He tried his best to straighten himself and force a smile. "Hey.." And I only frowned at him. "You're getting worse. I told you you can't keep this up. There's no way you're can't come with us." And he just shook his head. "Don't be ridiculous. I'm coming. I have to, otherwise dad will be suspicious." I went a little wide eyed at him. "You don't think he already is? You can barely lift your own weight out of bed, let alone make this journey!" But he only layed a hand on my shoulder. "Bud, I don't have a choice. You know we all have to be there for this. I'll be okay" And he lightly punched my arm for reassurance. In which I only sighed in defeat. I knew he was right. We all have to be here for this. Another dumb tradition. " 'Kay well, where's the harness? Dad needs it now" and Cole simply lifted his arm up and the harness was in his hand. "Right here. Come on, let's see if it fits you." I subtly exhaled, and nodded. Cole knelt down with a grunt and held it open at my feet. I stepped into it, and he pulled it up to my chest. He brought the straps around my shoulder and wings, and started buckling a bunch of buckles and adjusting the straps. "What if I can't do this? What if I can't carry her?.." I muttered quietly, barely glancing at Cole. He stopped what he was doing, and lifted my chin so my eyes would meet up to his. "Vale, you can do this. You're stronger then you think. I believe in you, and so did mom. So it's time you start to too, okay?" He tilted his head, and I only could give a weak nod. "Good." And he let my chin go. "Now, let me see." He checked the harness that was now tightly around my body. I myself also looked, and moved some of the straps around in discomfort. He patted my shoulder and nodded to the house. "Better get going before dad gets impatient." I nodded once more before turning to go back to the house, my head low. I dreaded ever step I took back, but before I knew it, I was back in my parents bedroom. Seeing dad standing over mother like a statue. But his expression said something else. Sadness. Which I didn't expect. I thought he never loved her. At least, not in that way. "Dad?" I say just above a whisper, tipped my way towards him caustically. He sniffed, but he still had that hard frown on his face he always wore. "What?" He said without looking at me. "I'm.. I'm ready.." He lifted his heavy gaze to me and saw I was wearing the harness. "Good, then come here boy." He waved me over, but it wasn't welcoming. I did as I was told, coming right up to him. He grabbed my shoulder and roughly turned me around so my back was facing him. "Now hold still, and don't move." He said with a sharp tone, one that made me flinch out of fear. So I quickly nodded and held my ground. I heard shuffling behind me, and I didn't dare look back as instructed by father. Before I knew it, a heavy weight was on my back, and it took everything in me to not have my legs give out underneath me from sheer surprise. I grunted lightly, but held my tongue as I could hear my dad buckling straps behind me. "There, your mother is secure." He patted my shoulder to say I was okay to move, and I looked back over my shoulder. And just as I expected to see, there was the bundle of mother strapped upon my back. She was actually a lot lighter then I expected. But that was probably because she was so thin near the end. The life so drained out of her. I exhale at the thought and decided to look forward to push the thoughts from my mind. Adjusting the straps on my shoulders to be more comfortable. "Now," My father said as he circled around me so I'd face him. "Get your brother. We leave immediately." He said as he picked up a large sack that sat at the end of their bed, throwing it onto his shoulder. I nodded and quickly slipped past him with my head low. My mother securely upon my back.