Secrets? Never.

20. Sledgehammer Heartbeat, Concrete Tears

BANG

In that instant between the overwhelming sound of a single gunshot, and the thud of a body hitting the ground, the world seemed to slow down, grinding almost to a halt, as everything, as a result, seemed like a dance; balletic in a way. The pad of shoes on the sand, stepping backwards, trying to regain balance, to no avail; the seemingly methodical flailing of arms, and the jingle of metal bangles rattling off of one another, cutting through the sea breeze like a sashimi knife through butter; and the soft, resounding thud of 115lbs of Emily Grayson falling gracefully to the ground, golden locks splayed out beneath her as her blood pooled, matting her hair.

A second shot boomed through the air, and, in the distance, a lone dark-haired figure could be seen dropping a handgun, and falling lifelessly to his knees in the subsequent moments. Aiden Mathis. Aiden Mathis had finally gone insane, shot his wife, and then himself. He'd always known there was something off about that guy. He was only ever happy when he had Emily, understandably, Daniel thought, she's fantastic. The only thing that could possibly accurately paint a picture of just how frazzled Daniel was at that point was what was going through his mind as he watched these evets unfold. As he watched a man shoot his wife, all he was thinking off were the odd personality traits of one Aiden Mathis, and how amazing his wife is. His wife. Emily. What about Emily? Daniel's world came back from its previous slow-motion state, and he sprinted as fast as he physically could to her limp, but not altogether lifeless frame; clutching her head in his trembling hands.

"Ask Nolan about the box, Daniel." Emily looked into his eyes, her gaze flitting between his left and right eyes. "But-" Daniel began, but was cut off by an understandably impatient Emily, "Please, Daniel, just ask Nolan to show you the box, tell him I asked him to, and he will, that's all I want you to do, and tell the kids when they're old enough. I don't want this to wreck their childhoods." Daniel began to tear up as she finished her sentence "Em-" his voice broke slightly "why can't we just tell them together when you think they're old enough?" She smiled a sad smile in return and whispered oh so quietly "We both know why, sweetie. Just promise me you'll ask Nolan about the box." She smiled at his naïveté, but it wasn't her usual, genuine smile, or even her evil plotting smile, it was the saddest smile if there ever had been one. "I promise, I will; but answer me one thing first; Emily, you love me, don't you?" Daniel began; tears stinging at the corners of his eyes. "Forever" Emily whispered, looking deep into his sorrowful eyes. "Then why do you have to leave me?" he wept, with enough emotion for a lifetime of wedding toasts, graduation speeches, and eulogies; a lifetime they surely wouldn't have. "Because, sweetie;" she replied, smiling with acceptance "great love stories are always tragic." "Go; go be infinite. Be with your father." "I'll love you for infinity times infinity." "That's a hell of a long time."

And it's true; although young love always seems to work out (for a while at least), great love, and, indeed true love, is always and forever shall be, bittersweet and, ultimately, tragic. Which only goes to prove that, although their 'forever' was cut short; their love was as real as me or you.

Which made the passing of the late Mrs. Emily Grayson all the more tragic. "She was a pillar of the community, her children, and indeed her husband, loved her dearly. She will be sorely missed by one and all who knew her." Reverend Young finished "Would you like me to make any alterations or additions?" Daniel forced a polite smile and reluctantly replied "No, that's nice." There was a silence that befell the room, lasting no more than two minutes, but felt like an age. "But would it be possible for me and a friend to say a few words once you've said your piece? I just feel like there are some things I have to say, and I wouldn't feel right with myself using a proxy to get this off my chest, and I'm sure my friend feels the same way as I do." Daniel beseeched unnecessarily. "Of course Daniel. With Emily's passing being so sudden, it was sure to have left many unresolved feelings for everyone in your family. There should be no problem with you two saying your piece." As he got up to leave, he proffered his hand, "May I once again extend my most sincere condolences Mr Grayson. This is a truly tragic set of circumstances."

Daniel, unfortunately, was the only one in any position to fully appreciate just what a miserable state of affairs it was.

© Sarah Egan 2014 - 2015. All rights reserved. This story is subject to copyright and may not be copied or reproduced without the express permission of the author.