The Ballad Of a Bird~ Jack Marston Story

☙ ✯ ❧Chapter Twenty~Two☙ ✯ ❧

listen while you read?~ I recommend Wildflower Perfume by The Dead Tongues}
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(not edited)

Birdie stood on the familiar cliff side placing a small bundle of colorful wildflowers under the wooden cross

"Take care of her daddy" she whispered looking towards her father cross that stood next to the newly erected one "you and Hosea will love her, you two keep her company till we get there"

Jack stood behind the grieving mother waiting to catch her if she falls all while he had his own tears craving a path down his cheeks as he stared down at the cross he and Kullen had made in the morning sun it was soon after it's making he rested his little girl on the cliff side beside her grandfather she'll get to meet, so in a way he glared at the cross hating how it made his pain a reality

Birdie slowly turned around and met the tearful man who had just lost the daughter he just met, stepping towards him the two immediately took each in for comfort, Jack held the woman close as she wept into his chest his own tears wetting the top of her head as they both cried together for their little bird who had flown to soon from the nest only to fly above leaving her parents to continue fluttering without her, protected under her wings that stretched across the vast western skies.

Behind the weeping parents stood a man who could still feel the little girls cold skin and the way his shirt fabric became soaked when he had pulled her lifeless form from the river it would forever haunt him that he couldn't return her to the two most important people in his life the feeling of being a disappointment flooded his senses as Kullen stared at the cross rereading the words he had carved into it the circle around the cross like the older one it sat next the words would forever be laced in his head
"The sun will shine tomorrow, It will be alright."
In the middle of the cross read the name that did have time to change the world like she was destined to do.

Kullens eyes were torn away as a Birdie appeared in front of him with glossy eyes a fresh set of tears ready to continue their path down her face, but as she slowly reached her hands up and placed them on both sides of the man's sunken face his own formed he looked down at the woman with sadness and regret which she nodded understanding

"Thank you, thank you for bringing my baby back to me." She gently told the man as the tears exited from her eyes his own following soon after

"I'm sorry, im sorry," he cried as he wrapped his arms around her holding the mother of an angel close, "I'm sorry I was to late, I'm sorry I couldn't bring her back to you"

"No," she said firmly even with a shaking voice as she held the man tighter, "no, don't you be believing that, Kullen, you did everything right by her and by me, the best uncle she could've ever asked for, the world just wasn't ready for the shock-wave that was Heidi Marston"

Jack stepped closer to the two and placed a firm yet gently hand on the man's shoulder as the tiro cried together on the cliff side as the sun continued to rise above them
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The sun would be high in the sky as they moved on towards the gangs camp non spoke they just continued on all disconnected from their surroundings and beings all drowning in their own emotions as their horses hooves where the only noise down the road

Kullen led the way, as birdie sat next to Jack in the small wagon that King pulled without a sound from the weathered wood
the man's own horse tethered behind the cart. When suddenly Jack had to
Pull the reins bringing the wagon to a halt as a muffled sob left Birdies lips

"Kullen go on ahead and inform the rest of our arrival." Jack told the man who had turned back towards them as he wrapped Birdie into his arms, Kullen nodded before turning back around and spurred his horse on to continue down the road

The vilomah parents held each other the mother crying a river of tears the father just trying to hold it in hating the amount of weakness he's shown for a little girl he had only know a few days but loved so deeply and dearly, Birdies tears slowed and her sobs turned to whimpers as they where quiet listening to the land around them when a small tweet gained their attention looking to the tree limb that stretched across the path they sat a brown and white feathered bird got the immediate attention of their eyes. Birdie watched the Barred Owl it's eyes barring into hers making her lip quiver once again as she looked into the eyes she thought she would never see again as the grave closed this morning, Jack looked into the same eyes but just observed how the animal looked calm and relaxed being a small amount of closure

Soon Jack grabbed the reins and gently snapped King alone the rickety wagon continuing down the road when a furrow of feathers sounds above them looking up they watched as the owl took to the sky's quickly flying past them going ahead before disappearing into the trees, Birdie and Jack looked to each other before both sharing a small sad smile after he placed a small kiss on her lips before he focused on driving the wagon once again

They continued their journey in silence, the weight of their grief heavy in the air. The landscape passed by in a blur, the trees and fields blending together as they moved forward. Birdie couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness, a void that could never be filled. She clutched onto the bundle of wildflowers matching the ones she left under her daughter's cross, the vibrant colors a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere.

As they approached the camp, the familiar sounds of laughter and chatter reached their ears. It was a stark contrast to the heaviness they carried within. Kullen had already informed the gang of their arrival, and they were met with solemn faces and open arms. The gang members knew the pain of loss all too well, and they offered their support in the only way they knew how - through their presence.

Clara was the first to approach after embracing Kullen as more tears excaped his eyes, Clara stepped toward the woman after not seeing birdie for what felt like lifetimes this is not how either of them imagined their reunion but the blond woman just hugging the grieving mother as both woman cried one for her daughter and one for her friend and the child she never got to spoil

Birdie and Jack were led by Wendy and Wyatt both expressed their condolences on the way to Jacks tend set up in a secluded spot within the camp where a fire crackled and the tent had been fully prepared for three. The gang members gave them space, understanding the need for solitude in such moments. Birdie laid down on the bed, her body exhausted from the weight of her emotions. Jack sat beside her, his hand gently stroking her hair.

"I don't know how to go on without her," Birdie whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jack's heart ached as he looked at the woman he loved. He knew that their lives would never be the same without their little bird. But he also knew that they had to find a way to keep going, to honor her memory and find solace in the love they shared.

"We'll take it one day at a time," Jack said softly, his voice filled with determination. "We'll lean on each other and the gang. We'll find strength in the memories we have of her. And we'll keep her spirit alive in everything we do."

Birdie nodded, tears streaming down her face once again. She knew that Jack was right. They couldn't let their grief consume them. They had to find a way to move forward, to find joy in the midst of their pain.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the camp, Birdie and Jack held each other tightly. They knew that their journey was far from over, that there would be many more tears shed and moments of heartache. But they also knew that they had each other, and that love would be their guiding light.

And as they lay there, surrounded by the love and support of their chosen family, they found a glimmer of hope. A hope that, one day, they would be able to smile again, to laugh again, and to remember their little bird with a heart full of love instead of sorrow.