Keera [1]

7. Decision

It used to be about generations. Everyone discussed past and future generations. Now that's gone. This is the remaining generation. It is now or never.

~

6 people had been so absorbed in their sadness and shock that they had forgotten to eat lunch, and now it was already two in the afternoon. Their appetites had vanished in the midst of everything that had happened.

Despite having countless questions about the recent events, Tanner seemed to already have the answers. It was clear to him that they had encountered adversaries who were likely to cause trouble.

The EMK team had brought a shovel with them, but it had been left in the boat that was stolen from them. This loss meant that even if they had wanted to, they couldn't return to America.

Troy and Andrew improvised by finding a thick branch and securing a sharp rock to it with some rope. Although it was challenging to dig with this makeshift tool, they persevered and eventually managed to dig a hole.

As everyone gathered around the gaping hole, located not far from the place where Shawn's life had tragically ended, the somber atmosphere was thick with grief.

Troy and Andrew carefully carried Shawn's lifeless body and tenderly placed it in the freshly dug earth.

The incessant buzzing of flies, swarming around his body, only added to the mounting sense of sorrow and anguish felt by the team.

Troy, with tears welling in his eyes, gazed mournfully into the open grave as he uttered, "May you be proud of us, brother. Just like we are..." His voice trembled with emotion, echoing the depths of his sorrow.

"I'm sorry..." Tanner softly added, his voice heavy with regret. The weight of their collective loss hung heavily in the air, rendering everyone else speechless as they grappled with the overwhelming sense of loss and emptiness.

Andrew then took the shovel he had crafted himself, feeling the weight and texture of the handle as he scooped the soil and began filling the hole with great care. His movements were steady, a solemn tribute to the life that had touched them all.

Everyone gathered around, their eyes filled with unshed tears, summoning every ounce of strength to contain their emotions.

After he finished, Tanner grasped the wooden letter 'S' he had meticulously carved with his knife and positioned it firmly in the freshly turned earth. Vera lovingly arranged a bouquet of wildflowers, their vibrant colors a poignant contrast to the subdued atmosphere, and tenderly placed it on Shawn's grave.

Each member of the group took a moment to bid farewell to their faithful friend, a man who had been a constant presence in their lives for 15 consecutive years.

Their shared experiences in the motel in Macom had forged an unbreakable bond, and they considered themselves a family. With Shawn's passing, they had lost a cherished member of their tight-knit community, and their hearts were heavy with grief.

As they slowly began to depart from the grave, Tanner lingered, whispering Shawn's favorite phrases,

"Do it Easy, do it like Magic and Kick it high," into the quiet, hushed surroundings, his words laden with the weight of their collective loss.

~

As they ventured through the dense forest, a group of six was in search of the perfect spot to set up camp. Their main priority was to find a comfortable and secure location where they could rest and feel safe, if that was even achievable.

Amidst their trek, Troy, with his dark complexion, retrieved a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. It seemed to have been left near a Shawn's body. "This is all kind of strange to me," remarked a perplexed Troy, breaking the silence. "What does 'Once you enter it, there's no way out' mean to them?"