Arnold's Adventure: A Life On Earth

Chapter 10: Grief

Author's Note-
For this chapter I took some time to do some research on grief and try to remember how it feels to lose someone
That's why it's taken me so long to write.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Adrian sat comforting Arnold on the new couch they had been given. It had been about a week since Graham had passed away now and Arnold still couldn't believe his dad was gone.
The man he knew all his life. The man he looked up to. Gone.
Arnold could tell Adrian was grieving too but wanted to comfort Arnold as much as possible.
Arnold picked up the black funeral card that lay on the table. Tommorow the funeral will be held.
Adrian walked to the kitchen and brought back some lentil soup for Arnold.
Arnold had been struggling to eat recently.
His emotions had been weakening his appetite and the only thing he was able to eat was soup.
One thing sat in Arnold's mind. The very last thing his father told him. "Be kind".
The words seemed to stick around more than the rest of his father's last words.
Arnold looked over at his father's bed.
No one had touched it since the doctors came and moved the body.
He noticed a shinny silver thing sticking out from underneath the pillow.
Arnold walked over to the bed and pulled out the silver iPad from underneath the pillow.
Adrian sat on the couch and asked
"Arnold, what's that?"
Arnold brought the pad back over to the couch and sat it down on the table.
"it's my dad's" he replied bluntly.
Realising he was being blunt Arnold decided to finally tell him what his dad said to him before he passed.
Adrian looked at Arnold with a sad gentle smile.
His smile showed sorrow, respect and comfort all at once like a a ray of sunshine shining through dark clouds on a gloomy day.
Arnold rushed up and hugged Adrian tightly.
Adrian wrapped his arms around Arnold and held him close.
Arnold could feel tears leaking from his eyes down onto Adrian's chest.
Arnold slowly let his tears flow from his eyes until his eyes got too heavy.
Arnold looked up to Adrian and asked
"do you think we'll be stuck here forever?"
Adrian simply looked down at Arnold and replied
"most likely no, but if we do, life will be just as good"
Arnold thought that maybe if he could get away from earth then maybe his father's death wouldn't torment him as much and his mind could finally be at rest.
Arnold would need to save up and buy parts for the ship though.
Arnold's thoughts overcrowded his head but taking a single sip of Adrian's soup and his mind was cleared. All of a sudden he felt extremely sleepy.
He had no idea why or how but his eyes just got heavier and heavier until finally he fell asleep.

Falling. Falling. Falling.
Constantly falling.
Arnold was falling.
Where was he?
That's the question I suppose.
Darkness?
Arnold lands on a steel hard floor still in complete darkness.
The darkness began shifting around him.
The darkness spun and swirled it's shapes until it became a dark gloomy graveyard however there was only one tombstone.
It's text read:
Graham Speartop
A loving father.
A friend to many.
We salute you.

All of a sudden whispers started around Arnold
Slowly getting louder and louder until he could finally make out what they were saying.
"A comsic war will blind your sight. Darkness will be worn. Death is following.

Suddenly Arnold jumped out of bed gasping for air. He looked over at the clock which read 3:30am.
He sat in bed for a few minutes trying to calm himself from the nightmare he had awoke from before laying back down and falling asleep.

Arnold slowly opened his eyes and saw Adrian sleepily sitting on the couch.
Arnold slowly got out of bed and sat next to Adrian.
"Good Morning" Adrian yawned
Arnold nodded quietly.
Adrian looked round at Arnold and stared at him.
Arnold could feel Adrian gazing at him.
Adrian suddenly wrapped his arms around Arnold tightly.
Arnold hugged Adrian back in response.
"What's wrong baby?"
Adrian asked.
"just a nightmare"
Arnold responded shakily
The two remained hugging in beautiful silence before Adrian said softly
"You should probably start getting dressed"
Arnold realized what day it was.
It was strange that he only just noticed that Adrian was wearing a black suit with an untied tie.
Arnold smiled gently and tied Adrian's tie.
He then walked through to the kitchen where he sat his dark suit that he made.
He pulled on his trousers and shirt and waistcoat before putting on his light grey bowtie.
Arnold told himself "today is the day to remember the good days. Don't be upset"

It was 12pm when the funeral started.
The sky was gloomy at first. Showering them with rain. It was strange. Arnold had noticed the toxic gases had seemed to be reducing for the past few days.
The funeral started by a bell chiming in the distance to sound the hour.
Built into the ground was an empty white marble coffin box.
Everyone stood around it silently as a man in a white robe stood in front of the coffin.
He spoke In a clear voice. "Today we are here to mourn the death of the dearly departed Graham Speartop. He was an engineer, warrior, soldier and a father. He was a friend to many and to many he was valued. It is on this day that we tell the story of Graham Speartop and mourn his death."

The man nodded towards Mary.
She hesitantly walked up beside the man.
"Graham was a smart young man when me and him first met. So long ago now. He always believed that there was hope beyond the earth, and you know what. He was right. He made it to Mars. He fought Cancer. He lived a beautiful long life. He had a wonderful young boy.
Arnold would you like to come up and say a few words?"
Arnold nodded silently before stepping up towards Mary and the priest.
Arnold felt nerves shaking all over him. He wasn't that good with crowds. Nausea swept over him making him dizzy.
He tried to focus as much as he could while saying what he needed to.
"Graham was my father. He was a great man. I guess not many here will know about his life on Mars so I guess I ought to tell you."
Arnold still felt nauseous but he knew what he was doing.
"in the year 2987, he was awarded the medal of life for protecting so many in the war. A few years later he became a chef and won several award winning trophies for his unique foods. And in the year 3006, he had me. A son who craved knowledge, and that's exactly what he gave me. Knowledge. Knowledge from lessons and books and stories. My father was a smart brave man. He lived a long life and now it's time for us to honour his death."
Arnold hadn't noticed it at first but there were a few years running down his face.
Arnold gave a slight bow and stepped back into the crowd.
Everyone smiled at Arnold with tears running down their own eyes.

Soon after the speeches a few candles were laid down on either side of the tomb hole.
Four women wearing all black were carrying a box which Arnold guessed it was the box his father was in.
Arnold wore a sad smile as the box was laid down into the marble tomb. He remembered all the good times with his father Graham and their final moments together "be kind".
The tomb was sealed with it's marble lid and everyone bowed and began to depart.
Arnold and Adrian were the only ones left standing there. Sun now shone down on the grave rather than gloomy rain.
Arnold smiled sadly and walked away with Adrian back towards their cabin leaving the tomb and pictures of his beloved father behind him.