Evident

55.

Lost within a peaceful distance, I held unto the pillow that I was sleeping on, a soft smile curling on my lips as I dreamt and just as I delved deeper into that comfort.

My body shook as Aureliano woke me up, pain struck his face, his eyes hardening and I confusingly blink my eyes to brush away the sleep, noticing that his lips were moving but I couldn't hear him.

"Mato.."

As I heard the name, I snapped up from the bed, holding his cheeks as he swallowed thickly.

"Mato died baby..."

I froze from those words.

"How?"

"From his sickness.... He died just this morning."

My world shattered as tears sprung up into my eyes from his words, I quickly swing my feet to the ground, throwing on a hoodie over the crop top and shorts that I had on.

We both rushed out of the hut, my tears flowing down my cheeks as we took the journey through the cave and under the water fall.

I thought I was prepared.

I thought I could bear it... I held tightly onto Aureliano's hand as I heard the painful sobs that echoed through the tribe as we walked.

Everyone was bowed to the ground as they mourn their leader and it weaken me in the knees, the fear of accepting the truth had me stopping in my walk.

Aureliano pulled me into his side as he noticed my resistance.

" I don't think I can go in there..." I sobbed as I clenched his shirt.

"You don't have to baby, if it makes you uncomfortable."

"Why didn't you wake me earlier?" I asked him softly as I fearfully walked to his hut, noticing Issi, Bly, Achille, Amerio and Ria who were standing there by the door, their sadness clenching my heart further.

My concern though was on Issi who was holding unto her brother so tightly as she screamed.

I know it has been hard on her.

To loose both your father and sister in the same month is heart breaking.

"I had to control the crowd because everyone wanted to force their way into his hut and hence I had to spoke with them...I'm sorry baby, I know how much Mato meant to you and I should have come get you but everything was so hectic."

I gazed up at him with teary eyes, seeing the sadness that he had as he gazed down at the ground.

He looked so broken, so hurt that I told myself to be strong for him. It was sad, just as he founded out the truth that Mato, the man who saved him those years ago, the man who grew him as his own son, his grandfather, life took him away.

I hugged each of them, specifically Issi whose bawl was so raw and hoarse that it echoed into the skies.

It was painful.

So damn painful.

Soaking up the courage, I went into the hut, the curtains were drawn, the air cold like ice and I stumbled on weak knees with Aureliano walking behind me.

My body trembled as I went up to the bed, the sheets covering his face and I lift a hand to pulled it back, I hesitated.

"I can't..." I slapped a hand to my mouth and cried.

Aureliano held the back of my neck and stroke his thumb on my neck, his lips pressing on my ear as he softly said.

"You don't have to baby, if you feel like it's too much, just close your eyes and reflect on the good moments of what he told you because whether you know this or not baby, he hold you in high regards."

I trembled as I tasted the salt tears. "I know, he told me his encouragement couple months ago when I opened up to him about my mother, he told me that just like a father who want to see the best for his child, he want the same thing for me as well, that I should continue lifting my head and let no one bring me down not even him."

I remembered that day so vividly, it was the same day when he told me of his sickness, he trusted me enough to tell me something so personal, a person he knew nothing of.

Mato was very humble.

A kind, sweet man that put everyone before him just in the name of love.

I strived to be like that.

Aureliano hugged me close as I stared down at the still covered sheets, his frame apparent through the sheets.

"Mato strives to see the best in everyone whether you are good or bad, his goal is to see everyone prosper in this life because he believe everyone was born with a purpose and that purpose is victory."

Aureliano spoke and I smiled sadly. Softly taking the sheets in my hands, I pulled it down and sobbed as I saw the lifeless body of the man who changes lives.

I cried, my hands holding his cheeks, his eyelids closed in death.

"Where is Hunter?" I sniffled as I looked around the hut for my favorite black raven bird.

Smiling sadly down at me, I shook my head in disagreement. Fearing the worst.

"When Mato died this morning, we had a hard time capturing the bird, unfortunately he flew away. I think he noticed that his owner, Mato was no more and he decided to leave."

"No, fuck no..."

I slumped into the chair, my teary eyes locked on Mato and my thoughts, my emotions, mourning on the greatness of a man that we will have no more.