Ability, Unleashing Power

Brown envelopes.

Chapter 2: Brown envelopes.

The days seemed to drift by from under my covers, the warm hug from my bedsheets constantly lulling me to sleep. I only stirred when my lazy routine was interrupted by my door knocking and my stomach knotting.

"It's time to get up." Kathy said solemnly, slightly muffled from behind the door, before quickly leaving me to abandon my cave of self pity: alone.

I shrugged off the sheets, avoiding direct contact with the sun peering through my curtain, and headed towards my bathroom.

I glanced at the all black suit that hung limply from my bathroom door and snatched it off before heading to the shower.

During the time I took to get ready, I had managed to avoid all mirrors that hung around the space. It was only when I was dressed, I stood in front of the desk mirror forcibly analysing myself.

I felt as if I was standing in black and white. My hair is jet black and my skin was now gauntly pale in contrast. My eyes have always been exceptionally blue - something of a curse more than a perk as I apparently resemble a 'demon' according the student body population at my school. My frame looked weak and willowy against my suit, a clear tell to my lack of hunger.

Tiredly, I snapped out of my trance and headed downstairs, I could hear the rattling of keys and shaking of other items, before Kathy greeted me in the hallway.

"Honey, you look lovely." She almost whispered.

I smiled lightly in response, feeling the pang of guilt return within me.

"You ready to go?" She muttered, opening the front door and allowing the sun to submerge me completely.

We reached the Creaper's End memorial service pretty quickly and within the hour, every guest/member had arrived.

They all looked as miserable as I felt.

I had approached my grandparents and cousins earlier, but subconsciously stayed clear of Kathy's family. I now stood unnoticeably distant, away from the crowd as they prepared to lower the vacant casket into the ground.

I then began to glance around at the people who looked so mournfully at the wooden box and scowled at their misplacement of sorrow. They all clutched their tissues and held on to one another, as I scoffed within the tree's shadows.

This wasn't a funeral. This was a load of people crying over a wooden box. And though I was mourning, this wasn't literal enough.

"How are you holding up TJ?"

It was Kathy's mother. She carried a black sun umbrella and looked gently at me behind her netted hat.

"Alright, I guess." I offered quietly as the pastor continued to speak drearily.

"That's better than bad." She winked.

I sighed.

"You've always been strong TJ, always looked after Kathy for me, you're a good boy... You know, it's okay to feel sad at times."

"My Father worked for the army, I haven't seen him almost 3 years, it's not like I'm not used to it." I whispered harshly, breathing only through my nose in the process.

"Yes, yes dear I know, but that's not what I'm saying."

"So what are you saying?" My voice had unexpectedly risen, causing the pastor to stop and the crowd to stare directly towards me.

Kathy's mother looked sad, sadder than she had earlier. The pastor continued.

"I'll speak to you later." She sighed, squeezing my shoulder and toddling closer to the crowd of mourners.