Demolition

6: Corey Fletcher (Jeb Fletcher)

July 1st 2022

He was my best friend. Most people I know don't really get along well with their brothers or sisters, but Corey was just perfect. I will never forget a few years back when me and Corey were playing football in the back garden as our mum and dad were arguing for the last time before they divorced.

When I was fifteen, in year eleven when I had exams, I didn't want to waste my time revising. Instead I wanted to make the most of it by spending it with Corey since he didn't have very many friends. All the kids in his school always picked on him for being autistic. This overpowered the struggles of starting a new, bigger school were overpowered by the people. I just wanted to reassure Corey as much as possible that the people who were picking on him either were scared of picking on someone who wasn't as vulnerable as he was or were just unhappy with who they were.

I just about passed my exams and even after they were over I still enjoyed spending my time with Corey. Making his world a better place for him to live in made me feel much better about myself. He deserved it as he was a very kind person, but was often taken advantage of sadly. Not a single second of my life has been spent regretting spending any time with Corey. In fact I wish I could have spent more time with him.

When he turned 15 in June, it seemed like he was growing distant from me as he was always out, but I knew he is always be my brother. When I found out he got a girlfriend a few days after his birthday, I was so happy for him. I was glad he found someone supportive. He was also happy as it was his first girlfriend who gave him his first kiss. He never got to telling me her name, but I didn't mind. I didn't want to become overprotective in fear of him looking down upon me. I always intended to be the older brother who was rather lenient and overall fun. I was just glad he was happy so I remained lenient.

One day, Corey came home crying. I asked him what was wrong and a broken voice told me about how he found his girlfriend cheating on him. I tried my best to comfort him, but it didn't seem to be working. He also told me about how his girlfriend called him the R slur and to jump off the bridge onto train tracks right after breaking up with him. I strongly discouraged the idea of suicide, but poor Corey went up to his room.

For the following days, the door to his room didn't open once. This was the lowest I witnessed Corey. Before Corey met this girl, the problems Corey was going through were easier to fix. I couldn't help, but to remember the simpler times when Corey would cry when he fell off his bike or when he abruptly woke up from a nightmare. These where the times that I felt much more potent. These times I cherish forever.

Eventually I witnessed his bedroom door open.
"You feeling any better?" I queered. Silence. He kept walking. He walked down the stairs silently. He reached the door.
"Where are you going?" I queered again. Again, no response. I decided to follow about a few meters behind. He kept walking.
"Where was the destination?" I asked myself. I kept following.

As Corey walked, he said nothing. I was yearning to say something, but I was worried of saying the wrong thing. I just kept following. Was he leading me to his ex for me to reason with? Was he going to the park like where we would go to years ago? Each question, a unique invader of my overwhelmed mind.

After a few minutes I saw the bridge that dropped down to the train tracks. I remembered what Corey said he was told to do by his ex. I remembered it all.

"It's a big mistake lad!" I called. "You don't want to do this"
"It's the only way to make her happy" Corey replied. I ran. He kept getting closer.

I watched him climb the stone wall that guarded off the edge. The sun was setting as he yelled:
"I know you want this!"

At last I was only about half a meter from him, but right before my hand could touch, he jumped.

Ever lasting moments consisting of guilt. Screams followed in the moments of him falling. He only had a few seconds to regret his decision. I witnessed his body harshly hit the train tracks as a strong wave of guilt submerged me. One second could have made a difference. All I could do when he died was cry silently to myself and almost faint by hyperventilating as the Sun continued setting.

As I was walking home, my eyes stung as they had to endure more suppressed tears. Hearing the train pass by evoked sadness even more. I knew once I returned to home, I would have to break the worst and most difficult news to my mum. I was glad I was like a father figure to Corey throughout his life. I truly was.

A few minutes of walking later, I arrived home
"Where's Corey?" Mum started curious. I missed when I could tell her that he was just at his girlfriend's house. I was convinced she could see more tears coming out of my eyes as I was quickly building courage to tell her what happened to Corey.
"He died." I spoke right before I broke down into another fit of tears, adding to the stinging sensation in my eyes. Through my tears, I saw my mum, content, morph quickly into a fit of tears.
"No, it can't be!" She yelled.
"If only I was one second quicker!" I cried.
"Don't be too harsh on yourself son." She strongly advised as she embraced me tightly in an effort to calm me down.