Gray Skies

Better To Have Love

"Do you need any help finding her?" I heard him ask me throwing on a white Henley top. I didn't know why he did the things he did sometimes but, I knew that he was concerned. He threw his leather jacket at me when I walked out the door. See, I didn't think about that. He kissed my forehead, "Don't worry. I got you". I knew I didn't think I would want a relationship so early, but we had a quirky understanding of each other.

Rebel's car wasn't like what most expected. It was vintage and old and had dents in it. I knew it was still a high class car but it wasn't the normal vision of a perfect car, it was understated and great just the way it was... Just like him. I saw him look over to me and said, "Any idea on where could she be?" before his vision snapped back to the road. I thought about it...

It was rare that Chef Dion wasn't able to get a hold of Lucy, but Lucy never EVER went long without speaking to Connor even when they argued. So there was only one place she could be... I gave Rebel, directions and hoped that my assumption was right.

We pulled up to the old underpass that looped on to the forest. I unbuckled my seat belt and looked up into Rebel's eyes. He could tell from the look on his face that he wasn't going to like what I was about to say. Face growing with concern I told him, "I need you to stay in the car..." He wasn't taking a bar of it. "Rebel, please. You need to listen to me..." I say attempting to re-assure him. "Where are we?" he asked trying to come to some conclusion. "This is the only place where other people from Lucy's culture comes together. It's a part of their custom that unless trusted. No one can be invited on to the property" I say trying to be rational rather than doubtful.

He gripped the wheel and took deep breaths. I internally ached just seeing him so. But this was a friend in need... "I'll be here when you get back or a text away" he says squeezing my hand. I exhale and open the door. I started to walk in to the forest. Most people would say it was like doing a stupid thing in a horror film. But honestly I can't judge it like that. A good friend of mine needed to me. Her whole life must be crashing around her. I approached the wooden entrance to the house and stopped. From all the times I had come here I never just walked straight in, Lucy told me once to wait to be called.

I did just that. It was getting colder and an older woman began to call me on. Walking slowly wasn't making it any better. But I had to respect the way of others. After all the formalities had concluded I was escorted to an eating house where I was met with a hot drink and a choice of customary breads and biscuits. It was odd to be here entirely alone, but I waited sipping away at my tea. "What are you doing here Anora?" I hear from the now occupied kitchen door.

I look up to see Lucy. But she didn't seem as up beat and confident as she usually did. Her eyes looked puffed from crying and voice severely stained. Her usual fishtail braided hair was no more. It was let out with only beanie restraining it from covering the rest of her face. Sporting a pair of black sweats and a thick black Ridgeline top. Her arms were folded. This was not the loose-head prop that had my back on the rugby field. This was my friend's heart breaking intensely. I felt a tear slip down my cheek.

"You don't need to cry, Anora. Someone died, it happens" she said coldly. It sounded odd hearing her talk that way. It was almost as if she was trying to convince herself as much as me. "Please Lucy, sit down" I say straining almost to the extent that she sounded. She slowly walked over, her black Nike slides clapping against the vinyl floor. Pulling up on the seat next to me. "Everyone has been looking for you Lucy..." "I'm fine. As you can see..." she says stopping me from continuing further. "Lucy. You can't shut us out. Connor has been looking for you, it's out of character for you not to talk with him" I say trying to reason with her. She just took the bread off the plate and took a bite shaking her head. She slowly started to chew when she started to tear up. Her chewing slowly turning into a sob. After she swallowed she looked up to me and said, " This is a different territory that Connor and I have never been through.." she put the bread down. She rubbed her hands over her face, then continued "Anora. My Koro, he was my rock. This... pain is my weaker side... my more vulnerable side. I don't want to lash out at him..."