Late Night P1 | Rough Draft | fin

Graces Love

You're thankful when Da'mik wakes two days after, something you're alerted to as Spider comes racing out of the forest and into the family hut.

Norm and Max had to head back home, needing to collect a few more things as they weren't sure how much longer this would last — which meant leaving the family with instructions on how to tend to Da'mik in the meanwhile.

Da'mik was so scared at first as he adjusted to this new way of living, and the pain from a few broken ribs was beyond anything he could handle without morphine, of course.

So he mostly slept, and he was so out of it during recovery that he was mostly bringing up old days, or asking why Niikeym hadn't come to visit him.

Maybe it was a good thing he eventually remembered on his own, because you and Jake never had the heart to tell him while he was in such a state.

Today is the first day Da'mik can wear his mask comfortably, and although he's still in pain — it's more manageable with a smaller dose of pain killers and icing his swelling away.

It also marked the night you'd finally have Niikeym's funeral, now that Norm and Max had returned.

Lia was here for it too, sitting amongst your kids with the ilu as they all shared a group hug.

Max and Norm joined the other Metkayina along the shore, and held their candles in solitude of the last ceremony you'd ever have for your eldest.

You and Jake first stand side by side, one hand each on Niikeym as you push his body into the water.

Tuk, Lo'ak, Kiri, Lia, Spider, and Da'mik are further out on the different ilu, but close in as you and Jake get further out into the water.

They each take a turn placing a hand on their brother as they help push him out of the contraption he was in, and his body floats so peacefully as the kids say their last goodbyes.

You and Jake grab hold of Niikeym, and push him down to the ocean floor below. His final place of rest.

You both watch as he fades into the algae, waiting until he's no longer seen to visit the spirit tree and give it your last memories with him.

If only you knew how much it would hurt to do so.

Jake enters first, towering a younger Niikeym... and he soon shifts into a more recent version of himself. Reminiscing about their first lessons fishing.

You step into the scene, and just know your physical body is drowning in tears at the moment Niikeym greets you with a very cheerful, "Hi Mother."

You walk up to him, and join for a hug with him and Jake.

You hear a voice from across the creek, and it's Tsu'tey who stands there.

"Brother!" He greets so kindly.. and Sylwanin shows... hand in hand with him as they walk to the opposite edge together.

Niikeym hasn't realized anything yet, both of you holding him too tightly to let him see.

Not even seconds go by, and it's now Grace and Trudy standing next to the other two now.

Tears, smiles, and loving glances exchanged between the six of you.

You dare not let Niikeym look just yet as hes buried in Jake's chest.

Grace stares as you with a look of love, a look of grief, and a look of radiance as she sees what's come of you now that you've transferred.

'It's okay.'
She mouths, gathering her thoughts fully before Trudy rubs a hand on her back in support so she can speak fully.
"You took great care of Kiri for me."
Her voice echos now.
She smiles with such a kindness, despite the tears.
"-I promise. I'll take good care of him."

Jake and you both give a small wave to everyone.. and he pulls you into the tightest side hug he can offer as you both watch Niikeym turn.

He recognizes who they are... fully aware that this family isn't part of the living... which can only mean one thing.

It feels like a dagger to your heart as his face falls, and he looks back at you both. Remembering what had come to be.

"It's okay." Jake says, encouraging him to walk out to the others.

It's Grace who steps closer to Niikeym as he walks into the creek, and she reaches out a hand to him as he joins her on her side of the grass.

"We love you." You say as intended for all of them.

You watch as he disappears into the forest with them. One hand with Tsu'tey, and one with Grace.

Even moments after they leave, you find it hard to leave.

The only thing that pulls you out is your body gasping for air, which gives you almost no warning.

You're away, up, out, and back at the hut as you fall to the ground and just cry in solitude.
Your heart burning with a pain you wish you didn't have to feel.

The kids are still out, spending time with tonowaris kids as they all needed the support from one another tonight.

Jake soon comes in, and sits down next to you as you're still sobbing away.

If you had much of any voice left, you'd be using it to scream until morning.

"Baby." Jake strokes his hand along your back, and pulls you into his lap as he starts to rock you back and forth.

The white paint on your face starts to run, and Jake reaches for a washcloth as he uses it to wipe your face down.

He's just as much of a mess, both of you feeling the others heartbreak.

"Grace-" you barely manage out as he pushes your face into his neck comfortably.

"I know." He starts to cry again.
"I know. She's got him now."

Kiri is first to come back, seeing that you and Jake had finally returned.

And you're not sure if it's better or worse that everyone else is in tow, your other children's eyes and their friends eyes all soaked with tears and cheeks flushed.

You climb out of Jake's hold, and reach out for them - a sign to come sit.
They all find a spot to sit as everyone is now knee to knee, with their hands bonded together in a circle.

"We're going to be okay." Jake speaks through a heavy breath. "Whatever we do from here, we will figure it out."

Spider looks away, only for a small moment as he's fighting his inner conscious.
If only you had all known what he did, and why he did it.

You watch as Jake stands, saying he's going to speak with Tonowari for a moment.
Tonowaris children join, escorting him to their father.

Which leaves you here, with your five kids in your arms and their tears all over their rebreathers and faces.

Tonowari stands as he sees Jake coming toward him with a sadness in his heart.

"Tonowari." He bows to him and draws his fingers outward. "I know with everything... I'm here to tell you that my family and I will move on in the morning."

And he's surprised when Tonowari looks disappointed by it.
"Jake.
Your son lies with our ancestors, and you almost lost another fighting with us.
This is where you belong, my brother."
And he reaches to take Jake's hand in his.
"You are Metkayina now."

And there it was.

You were fully amongst them.

This was your home, and this is where you'd make your stand.