Dreamless in Early Graves (Vic Fuentes / Kellic) ✔️

Chapter 24: The End

"You're not gonna let me die, right?" I questioned my boyfriend.

Heh, that sounded familiar. And it should've been, because here I was, trudging through the vast forest of the very humid island that was Madagascar. It wasn't exactly hiking. . . no, this was worse. But it was for a good cause.

Kellin giggled at my exhausted plea. It was the same way that Ana had reacted to my silly comment. What was it she said to me again?

"I won't let you die, dummy. I promise."

And she didn't.

I smiled at the memory. Until this very day I still wondered how she managed to climb that god-awful hill. That woman had some strength and determination in her, that was for sure. And I admired it greatly.

"Come on, we're almost there." Kellin encouraged, holding out his hand to me as he stood with one foot on top of the hill that we were getting on to.

I grabbed onto his hand, letting him close his fingers firmly around mine as he hoisted me up to his level. But just as I was about to place my foot on the hard ground, I slipped and fell forward, clumsily colliding into Kellin.

He yelped and quickly grabbed onto me as we both fell into the tall grass on top of the hill. I felt like an idiot, but I was long glad that we weren't tumbling all the way back down.

"This so isn't my thing." I murmured, exhausted, as I buried my face into my sweaty boyfriend's chest.

He chuckled and rubbed a hand over my back as he held me. "So I've noticed." He said. I scowled at him, but that only caused him to laugh harder at me. "Come on, babe, we really are almost there."

Then I finally looked up, taking in my surroundings. The sound of restless streams of water invaded my ears and I smiled. He was right; we were almost there. We were almost at the spot that I had found between Ana's photos. . . a spot I was sure to be one of her favorites. . . the spot where we were going to spread her ashes.

I still wasn't entirely sure how Kellin had arranged it, but he managed to get an okay to have Ana's body exhumed and cremated instead. And I was forever grateful.

All of it had taken much longer than expected, but here we were; two years after the initial day that Ana had died, and I was about to fulfill my promise to her.

Kellin and I walked up to the meadow, and it was absolutely beautiful. Nine small rivers broke up the piece of land, all coming together near the edge as they formed a massive waterfall. It was absolutely stunning, even more so than in the photos that Ana had made.

It had been hell to get up here, but with enough determination and enough willpower, almost anything was possible. She taught me that. She taught me a lot.

She taught me to value life, to get all possible things out of it. She taught me that you shouldn't wait with happiness. Don't postpone, don't procrastinate, because your life could just end when you least expect it.

Ana lived her life to the fullest, until the bitter end. She stayed strong, realistic, and she always kept smiling. I admired that so much about her. And it was through her eyes that I began to see how important it was to really live.

"Are you ready for this?" Kellin asked, grabbing my hand and lacing our fingers together.

I gave him a quick nod and reached into the bag, taking out the can that held Ana's ashes. I held it up between us, my heart starting to race as Kellin put his hand on top of the lid.

"Now are you sure that this is her? Not that expensive Cuban Coffee that my dad gave us as an engagement present?" He asked, grinning cheekily at me.

I shot him an unimpressed look. "Don't do this to me right now." I warned him, trying so hard to hide my secret amusement.

He just smiled at me and gently screwed the lid off the can, leaving it open. I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, looking at the ashes for a moment. Was this the right place? Would she be happy here?

And right when that question ran through my mind, a gush of wind surged past me, causing a bit of the ashes to fly out of the can and through the air before they dropped down into the waterfall.

I took that as a yes. It made me smile.

I crouched down beside one of the small rivers, Kellin following suit right beside me. "I made you a promise, Ana. . . I'm sorry it took two years to finally make it happen. I hope this is adventurous enough for you." I whispered softly, a small grin forming on my lips near the end.

I then held the can above the stream of water and slowly tipped it over, emptying it gradually. "Bye, Angel. No one in the world danced as graceful as you did." Kellin said, smiling softly at the edge of the waterfall.

I smiled, too, watching closely as the last of the ashes left the can and fell into the water. I watched them swerve away from me, swimming in the water, making its way to the edge.

"Bye, Ana. . . I love you."

And that was it.

More words simply weren't necessary.

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THE END
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this book is a full dedication to two people whom are very important to me. first and foremost, I wrote this story in honor of my first girlfriend, who sadly passed away from the result of a brain tumor several years back. she was a fighter until the bitter end... and writing this book was a form of closure for me. I hope that, wherever she may be, that she is proud of me. I still love her with all my heart, and I always will.

secondly, part of this book is dedicated to my current girlfriend. she's so amazing and understanding. she is basically my Kellin, and I'm so happy with her. I never thought that I would find this kind of happiness again after the loss that I went through. but I did.

lastly, I want to thank everyone for reading this book (and my other work). it really means a lot to me! it always has. the follows, votes & comments are what will always keep me going. so thank you!!

and to end this properly, the song that inspired the title of this book, the song that helped me cope with the loss, the emotions, and moving on: A Match Into Water, by Pierce The Veil.

rest in peace, Estelle. you will always be loved. always be missed. ❤️