Danny was kept away from Iz's death. He asked to see him as soon as he recovered from anesthesia but his parents told him Iz was resting. Iz was to be buried on the third day. Dalma didn't go to school, almost nobody was in the mood for school, even the Professors would let them do what they wanted during classes as long as they were quiet. Perhaps nobody really knew Iz but he was one of them, he had been a familiar face they will see no more.
The day he was buried, all of them came to lead him on his last journey. So many young people made the strangers' hearts melt for the one who they walked into forever. It was quiet. Only the priest's voice was heard. It was cold and only the fact that there were many of them warmed them up. Iz's father looked tired. Only Danny's father came while his mother remained at the hospital with her son.
Dalma stood between Iz's father and Joely who was crying on Mike's shoulder. Dalma's tears were over long ago. Only an acute pain in the throat showed her she was crying inside. Iz's father spoke to all in a tone that made from him everyone's father. They all cried at the words related to Iz, about how he was as a child and then when his mother died, leaving them alone, he was tough and a father's only help.
Far from the cemetery, at the hospital, Danny asked his mother where his father was. The woman's beautiful face was drained and, at first, he believed his mother was still worried for him but the doctor said he was on a good track and with medication, he would feel better in a few months. He wasn't yet allowed to get out of bed but he felt no pain and needed to investigate something that was gnawing him. He dragged his medical stand and got out when his mother left to bring him from home a pair of warmer pijamas he intentionally asked just to be left alone.
He walked carefully to Iz's room where another person was in his bed. A nurse came and asked him what he was seeking. She had helped him find it.
Danny's father just ended his words when a taxi stopped near their group. Danny slowly descended from it. He was dressed only in his hospital gown and his father ran towards him to cover his trembling body. Danny pushed him away angry.
He asked in a hasted low voice to pay for the taxi and went away from him. Everybody looked at him. Some cried. Dalma got up rebounding from the shock of seeing him there. She immediately took off her coat and put it on him not listening to his objections. Danny was crying now. He reached Iz's coffin, which was already half in the ground. He leaned on it and pulled out a sound of despair. His father came near him and asked to follow him. Danny refused shaking and clutching the coffin thight.
"I... I." His voice was heard in the silence interrupted only by sounds of crying. "I just... Don't forget him." He said looking at his colleagues and retaining his cry. "Remember him..." He seemed to argue them if they won't. "He was a hero. My hero... my best friend... my brother."
Nobody had the strength to withhold their tears anymore. Those who cried quietly until then drew out noises of helplessness.
Iz's father came to Danny and took him in arms, whispering something in his ear. He had said he must return now and be an obedient boy. That Iz wanted him to be healthy. Danny wept bitterly in his arms letting out all the pain.
"I know." The man said. "I know."
"I didn't mean to." Danny whispered. "I didn't. I didn't."
His father took him to the car. Danny was crying inconsolable. He couldn't see very clearly what was happening, he didn't want to leave. Dalma followed him and climbed in the back seat where Danny was. He came into her arms. When the car started, she took another look at the coffin and wept silently, saying goodbye to the one who a few days ago was saying I love you to her.
"My fa...ult, my fa...ult." Stammered Danny in her ear. "I was supposed to be in his place... I was the one who reconciled with it... I was ready."
