Before the Ever Green (BTEG #1) ✔️

Chapter 53

I blink my eyes several times. I am on a bed, which I don't recognize. I look everywhere. I am hyperventilating. I feel a hand on my arm, and turn to see Brit. "Where am I?" I ask, calming down.
She smiles a half-smile, "A hospital."
"Why am I in the hospital?"
"They just wanted to check you out...after the battle. Forest shot you, you shot him. He also shot Everett." Everything comes flooding back. The night. The silver dress. Tobi. Maxwell. Everything. And I can barely breathe, "Is he okay?"
She doesn't answer.
I ask again, "Is he okay?"
"He's in a better place,"
My eyes start to sweep with tears, and I can hear monitors beeping. Doctors come in, and give me a shot to calm me down.
x x x
They let me out the next day, and everyone is outside to greet me, but I just walk away. I have to use a cane, for a few months, the doctor told me, but it's okay. I walk to Climton, "Where is he?"
"Did Brit not tell you, dear?"
"Where's his body?" I correct
"Oh," he gestures for me to follow him. He takes me back to where I first met him. Everett is in a glass case.
"What are you gonna do?"
He rubs my shoulder, "It's up to you."
I sob into his shoulder, and he tries to comfort me, it's not working. He really was my best friend. And all I can think is that he won't see me, the world, Allison, or anything with his two gorgeous blue eyes. He won't get to grow old with me. He won't get to see the world change with each year. He won't see the difference he made.
Then again, maybe he is with my father, looking down on me.
I am remembering all the kind words he's said to me, and all the times he helped me. How he helped me learn to be me. And I will do what he told me to do. I will move on, live my life, but I will never forget. I can't forget my first love. How does anyone?
I try to stop crying, and it works partly. I wipe my eyes, "Is Tobi okay?" I ask
He nods.
"Maxwell?"
He nods.
"What happened after I was taken away?"
He takes a breathe, "We continued to fight. We attacked the rest of the people who fought against us, and won. All the leaders were killed, even Mr. Lawson, by both Brit and Jaegers command, and most of the people were accepting, those who were not, we're either loyal soldiers, who fought an died or there families, who were put into cells, but are being treated well."
"Who died?"
"Besides Everett, 10 of my men, who you did not get to know and Brice. He fought hard, after he brought you back here. He fought until his last breathe."
Brice was the one who carried me back here? I feel it's my fault he is dead.
x x x
Tobi and Maxwell have been let out of the hospital, Tobi lost use of her left leg, because of where Forest stabbed her. Allison has been doing all the cooking. Clinton has really just been trying to keep everyone calm. He told me Forest is still alive, locked up. He said it was my call to kill him or not. I let him live. I wouldn't want to make Everett suffer any more.
We are burying Everett today. By the swing. By his last home.
I am sitting on the front steps of Maxwells house, Clinton sits down next to me, "Addilyn, you know when you asked me who died?"
I nod
"One other person died,"
"Who?"
"Your mother."
"She fought?" I am shocked
He nods, "Hena was left at your house, Jaeger went to get her, a few days ago."
"Does she know?"
"No." He tells me, "Not really. She knows there was a battle, and that a few people died."
I can't say anything else.
Around 7 p.m. we all gather to take the train from the Capital to Placerville. The train is bumpy, more so, because I am standing up, over Everett's body. They took the kid off, so I could hold his hand, but it feels wrong. There is no life in it. It just a body. It's not Everett. Everett is gone, up in the sky, with my father and mother.
The train stops easier, but still a little harsh. We all get off, and wheel the case to the wood, where A few of Clinton's men have already dug a hole. We all surround, as they lover the case into the hole. Clinton says a speech he wrote. He offered that I do it, but I knew I wouldn't be able to. So, I stand here, tears running down my eyes, until it is time for each of us to put o shovel of dirt on top of the case. I am last. My hand is shaking as I get the last bit of dirt, and put it on top of him. "Good bye,"
Everyone starts to shuffle back to the train, "I'm staying." I say, and Brit gives a knowing smile.
She mouths, "Okay." Then leaves.
I read the stone, over again.

Everett Green
Who touched the hearts of all who he greeted.
January 2, 2400- May 17, 2417

I don't want to be on this Earth any more, but I can't do anything about it. Clinton told me they ran a few tests, while I was in the hospital. One of my gifts is not dying until the time shown by my lifeline. I don't see is as a gift. It's a burden. I can't make myself be with the one I love, and according to Allison, I will live a long life.
I slowly walk to my house, and up the creaky stairs, to my room. I go through my wardrobe, until I find what I am looking for. My mothers wedding dress. She gave it to me, when I turned 14, she said she wanted to see me wearing it one day. I will never love again. How could I, when I have known love so strong? Nothing would feel the same.
I slip on the dress, which is white with 1 inch straps. It touches the floor, and has a few feet of fabric flowing behind it. I walk into the meadow, with my hair down. I let the cool air beat at my skin, as I walk into the meadow, watching the sun set. It is beautiful.
I watch as the black birds float in the sky, peacefully. I take in the oak and pine. I walk to where Everett and I had our first picnic, by the water. I finally make it back to his grave, where I lay a bouquet of flowers. A bouquet of flowers in every color. To symbolize my love in every hour of every day. In every minute. Every second. Forever.
I touch the ring on my left hand index finger, "Forever." I whisper, as I see a small limp green turtle come out from the bushes. Turtle. I can't believe he made it back.
Some friends last a life time. Others last integrity. I have both of those with me, today.
I walk back to meadow, and just stand, watching the sun set. Watching the birds fly home, and watching Turtle open an close his mouth several times.