Purple Roses

Chapter 20 - Saying Goodbye

2 days later, I walk downstairs in the morning and I see Mum gazing at the TV, lost and bewildered in the world of media.

"Oh, Oscar. Come, look at this, you're in the news!" Mum exclaims.

"I am?" I ask as I bring my attention to the TV.

I am met with a news presenter in a big maroon suit, I hear him say the following.

"Let's follow up on the tragic attack on the train 5 days ago, questions have still gone unanswered on how there was a breach in security, but the government is not taking statements at this time." He tells us. "But, people are now turning their heads to how that train managed to get back to the City. CCTV footage shows local boy Oscar Jacobs taking control of the train after the driver was fatally wounded from an initial attack. Reports say that he drove flawlessly, even driving under direct attack!"

"Oh my god, I really am-" I exclaim in shock.

"Now, we're not able to show the footage in question due to the fact that sadly both the driver and the cities' first Shadownite in logged history, Luca Aldelmic were fatally wounded near that train cab. Also among the dead are 4 passengers, the train driver and the train manager." He sadly speaks. "However, I believe that this could have been a lot more bloody of a tragedy if it wasn't for the selfless work of Oscar. It's just incredibly sad to hear that we lost 7 people in that attack. We will be hoping to get statements from the government as soon as we can, thank you."

I know I should feel honoured that he praised me, but I still can't feel good after what happened. I keep seeing the King and Luca, the aftermath. Could I have done more? Oh, I don't know.

"Oscar?" Mum says to me. "I've been calling you for 10 seconds, it looks like you've seen a ghost! What's up?"

"Oh! Nothing, just wondered a bit in my mind, that's all." I quickly stutter.

"Alright then." Mum smiles.

As I sit down I am instantly inclined to sit back up again when mum tells me, "Oh, well, in more solemn news Luca's ashes arrived this morning."

I'm going to be honest, I sort of forgot that was happening, must just be me trying to forget about all that happened.

"I talked to James, he said he didn't want to scatter it or even see it, I don't blame him to be completely honest." Mum tells me. "I'd try not to mention Luca around him. Anyway, I thought you should have it and put it where you want because apart from James, you knew him the most."

I look down as she hands me a large container, I look up at her, and down at the container. Confusingly, I repeat this. Not knowing what to do or say.

I feel the urge to cry, but I don't want to do it in front of mum again. I fight against it and try to retain composure.

"Alright, I know where I'll put him." I reply, successfully masking my emotions.

"Okay. I know it's very hard for you, but I want Mabel to go with you. I'm still a little bit uneasy about being outside much after what happened on the train." Mum tells me.

"Aww! Why!" I plead. "All she'll do is yell at me, I just want some privacy for this, I'll be safe, you know I will."

Without saying a response, mum simply takes my hand, a faded scar still forged across it by the King, and holds it up.

"I... I still think it's unsafe out there... and Mabel needs closure too."

"Okay." I reply, neither agreeing or disagreeing with the idea.

Mum smiles, places her hand on my hand for a moment, then removes it and calls up to Mabel.

"Mabel! Are you ready to go?" Mum calls up the stairs.

"Yeah, one minute!" Mabel's loud muffled voice responds.

Great. Now I have to take her to mine and Luca's favourite spot.

We practically walk in silence on the way to the spot, now mine and Luca's spot will be known by Mabel.

I guide her hesitantly up the old hill and to the large oak tree, it appears sorrowful, almost as if it knows what has happened.

"Where do you want me to dig?" Mabel asks, blunt but also with a hint of care, almost as if she's trying to act like she cares... how could she not care though?

"Just there." I say, pointing to a path of grass right near the tree.

Without uttering another word, Mabel begins to dig and dig and dig. Strenuously, putting almost all of her effort into the dry and hard soil.

Sorrowfully, I clutch the large urn sitting in my hands. Containing nothing more than dust, I still keep thinking he'll burst out and talk to me, sort of like a ghost rising from the dead. But, it's just cold ashes, the best I can do is bury him here. At least then he's at rest.

I keep picturing all the memories we have had, almost like a movie. Start to end, I just wish it didn't end how it did.

"Oscar?" Mabel says, snapping me back to reality. Standing next to a large hole in the ground. "Come on."

Carefully, I lower the earn into the ground, touching the cold ground beneath it before sitting motionless.

Mabel motions to begin pilling it up with dirt, but I stop her.

My hand carefully removes a stray purple rose from the ground. I grimly chuck it down into the hole, resting upon the earn.

Mabel begins filling the hole back up with the same dirt she spent all that time and energy digging up. I watch as the earn and rose slowly disappear as they're drowned by the dirt slowly pilling on top of them.

As the final chunk of dirt falls back down, Mabel pats it and smooths it down harshly. Before placing the shovel to the side and just standing there.

Frozen. It's as if she's frozen, just staring down at it, eyes closed. Breathing slowly.

As if nothing had ever happened, she opens her eyes, picks up the shovel and motions to leave.

"Come on, it's getting late now, Mum will be getting worried." She tells me.

Following, I turn back as I leave, taking in the reality one final time, he's at rest now.

This has all happened so quickly, I just want everything to go back to normal.