Regret *FVK FAN FIC*

PART 13: The Wake

the village pub was filled with familiar faces as they gathered in groups to celebrate the passing of the man they had once known and loved. some laughed at stories of drew's younger days while others sat silently, salty tears falling and disappearing into the drinks they were downing to numb the pain.

at the family table, Kier sat sobbing as linda and phil tried to calm him by explaining that they did not blame him at all but it was no use. since the burial Kier's tears had not stopped flowing as he repeated over and over "it should have been me"

in the opposite corner, with his legs curled up on the sofa, shane stared into space. from the moment they had walked away from the grave side he had returned to his inverted state as though he left every part of himself back in the church yard, buried in the ground where drew's body now lay.

a few tables away, Laurence, Luke and Lucy sat in total silence, grim looks on their faces as they stared at the paper plates full of buffet food which they had in haste picked up only to lose their appetite when returning to their seats. Laurence picked at the quiche on his plate and sighed, glancing over at kier then to shane and back down at his plate, his mind filled with worry mixed with confusion and self doubt over what he had seen back in the church.

"it must have been my imagination" he told himself "after all, he's dead. how could he possibly have been standing there" but as he played the moment over in his mind once more, the image of drew stood there as clear as day remained and he questioned if he was descending into madness and he lifted his third rum and coke to his lips and downed it in one.

across the table, Luke cradled a pint in his hands as he fought back every tear and dark thought. he tried his best to fake a smile and be strong but his guard was starting to fall away as his eyes watered, blurring his vision.

beside him Lucy's mind was racing too. "how is he still here?" She asked herself thoughtfully "his body was laid to rest yet his soul remains.... will he be doomed to live in between life and death forever, never knowing what it's like to reach the afterlife?"

She quickly checked the other two were not paying attention before turning her head slowly and gazing over to the bar that drew stood against, an overwhelmed look on his face as he tried to take in all the events of the day at once.

biting her lip, Lucy rose and broke the deafening silence

"I...I'm just going outside for a moment" she told them in a shaky voice "I need some fresh air"

as the other two barely nodded in response, Lucy headed for the door, giving drew a look as a signal to follow.

as drew followed Lucy outside to the beer garden, they took a few paces to make sure they were far enough to not be seen and looked around to check they were alone before Lucy turned to face him, a weak smile immediately spreading across her face.

"I'm so glad to see you" she poured out despite her previous worries. truth was deep down, Lucy wished drew would be by her side forever, even if it was in spirit form, but once she pushed her selfish wants aside she worried for the wandering soul of her best friend, knowing that an eternity of living between two worlds would finally take its toll on him.

drew returned the weak smile and sighed

"I'm happy to see you too Lucy" he spoke sincerely before his face fell into a mournful expression "but part of me wishes I had faded away, then I would never have to witness Kier's breakdown"

"I know" Lucy whispered sympathetically "the poor guy. i'm afraid he's never going to stop blaming himself"

"I'm afraid of that too" drew admitted "and I'm afraid that when the time comes and I do fade away for good, I will never have the chance to reach out to him and tell him that everything is going to be okay"