The Watcher V: SKYFALL

Chapter 2: The Funeral

The funeral was held three days later, the air thick with the scent of rain-soaked earth and fresh flowers. The sky was a relentless gray, mirroring the somber mood that hung over the small cemetery. Friends and family gathered, their faces etched with grief and disbelief. Kamryn's death had left a gaping hole in their lives, one that seemed impossible to fill.Chloe and Ruthy stood near the back, their hands clasped tightly together. They watched as the crowd slowly dispersed, leaving only the closest friends and family by the graveside. Jonathan

stood at the head of the group, his broad shoulders stooped under the weight of his own sorrow. He was the glue that held them all together, but even he seemed close to breaking.

Kirk lingered to the side, his eyes bloodshot, not just from the weed but from the endless tears he had shed. He had a joint tucked behind his ear, a small comfort in this world of pain. Beside him, Gape stood with his hands in his pockets, his once goofy demeanor replaced by a stern, almost somber expression. His near-death experience had changed him, made him more serious, more aware of the fragility of life.Jonathan saw Chloe and Ruthy and walked over, his face a mask of controlled grief. "Hey," he said softly, pulling them into a tight embrace. "How are you holding up?"

Chloe felt the tears she had been holding back threaten to spill over. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice trembling. "It doesn't feel real."

Ruthy nodded, her eyes red and swollen. "It's like a bad dream," she said. "I keep hoping I'll wake up and everything will be okay."Jonathan's jaw tightened, and he glanced back at Kamryn's casket, his eyes filled with unshed tears. "We have to be strong," he said, though it sounded like he was trying to convince himself

as much as them. "Kamryn wouldn't want us to fall apart."

Kirk shuffled over, the joint now between his fingers, unlit. He looked at them through a haze of sadness. "He was the best of us," he said, his voice thick. "Always had a way of making everything seem better."Gape joined them, his serious gaze meeting each of theirs. "We need to remember him for who he was," he said quietly. "Not for how he died."Jonathan nodded, drawing strength from his friends. "Gape's right. Kamryn wouldn't want us to dwell on his death. He'd want us to remember the good times, the laughter, the love."

They stood in silence for a moment, each lost in their own memories of Kamryn. The way he used to laugh, the way he always knew how to lift their spirits, the way he made them feel like everything would be okay, no matter what.

The minister approached, offering his condolences, and they gathered closer to the grave. As the final words were spoken, Chloe felt a crushing weight on her chest, the finality of it all settling in. She watched as the casket was lowered into the ground, each inch feeling like a dagger to her heart.After the service, they stood together, the tight-knit group that Kamryn had brought together.

Jonathan looked at them, his eyes fierce with determination. "We need to stick together," he said. "For Kamryn. We need to live our lives the way he would have wanted us to."

Kirk nodded, his hand going to the joint behind his ear. "Yeah, man. For Kamryn."Gape placed a hand on Jonathan's shoulder. "We're all in this together," he said. "We'll get through it. One day at a time."

Chloe and Ruthy exchanged a glance, drawing strength from the boys. They had each other, and somehow, they would find a way to move forward. To honor Kamryn's memory by living their lives to the fullest, just as he had.

As they walked away from the graveside, the rain finally stopped, the clouds beginning to part. It was a small, almost imperceptible sign, but they took it as a sign of hope. A sign that even in the darkest of times, there was still light to be found.

The house was filled with the warm, comforting aromas of home-cooked food, a stark contrast to the cold, somber atmosphere of the past few days. Chloe and Ruthy had spent hours in the kitchen, preparing Kamryn's favorite dishes, hoping that the act of cooking would bring them some measure of peace. It was a small way to honor his memory, a way to feel close to him again.Jonathan, Kirk, and Gape arrived one by one, their faces etched with the same grief and exhaustion that Chloe and Ruthy felt. They gathered in the living room, a place that had once been filled with Kamryn's laughter and energy. Now, it seemed almost hollow, a space where his

absence was painfully palpable.

Jonathan took charge, as he always did, guiding them through the evening with a quiet strength. He raised his glass, filled with Kamryn's favorite whiskey, and looked around at his friends. "To Kamryn," he said, his voice steady but heavy with emotion. "May we remember him as he lived, not as he died."They clinked their glasses together, the sound echoing softly in the room. Each sip was a bittersweet reminder of the friend they had lost, but it also served as a small comfort, a way to feel his presence once more.

Dinner was a subdued affair, the conversation tinged with sadness but also filled with shared memories. They laughed at the stories of Kamryn's antics, cried at the thought of never seeing him again, and found solace in each other's company.

As they moved to the living room after the meal, Kirk reached into his pocket and pulled out a joint. He held it up, a small, mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Anyone want to join me for a smoke?" he asked, looking around the room.Chloe and Ruthy shook their heads, their expressions a mix of amusement and exasperation. Jonathan rolled his eyes but didn't say anything. It was Gape who responded, his voice calm and serious."I've been clean for ten years," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. The room fell

silent, the weight of his words settling over them.

Kirk's smile faded, replaced by a look of genuine respect. "I forgot," he said softly, tucking the joint back into his pocket. "I'm proud of you, man."Gape nodded, a small smile touching his lips. "Thanks, Kirk. It hasn't been easy, but it's been worth it."Jonathan leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Gape's right. We've all been through a lot, and we all cope in different ways. But tonight is about Kamryn. Let's honor him by being together, by sharing our memories and our love for him."

They nodded in agreement, the moment of tension dissipating. They spent the rest of the evening reminiscing, their laughter and tears blending into a tapestry of shared experiences. As the night wore on, the pain of Kamryn's loss began to feel a little less overwhelming, the weight of it shared among friends who understood.

Chloe looked around at her friends, feeling a sense of gratitude despite the sorrow. They had each other, and that was something Kamryn had always valued. She knew he would want them to find strength in their friendship, to carry on his legacy by living their lives fully and joyfully.As they said their goodbyes and left the house, Chloe felt a small spark of hope. It wasn't much, but it was enough to remind her that even in the darkest times, there was still light to be found. And with her friends by her side, she knew they would find a way to move forward, one step at a time.