The Raven

Chapter Seven

The driveway below seemed immensely vast as the rain poured against the black top surface. The smell of the rain filled the air as it grew bitter, sending chills down my spine. The storm was as empty as my heart, as flooded as my eyes, and as sorrowful as those who remained alive that were close to me. Silently weeping like wisps of breath, my heart sank in my chest pulling forth visions of his pale face and cold body. No light of the sun to warm his face, he'd be buried in the cold darkness to rot like a maggot. For me, life had no meaning anymore as I crumble beneath the weight of loss. Just a shell of beauty I can no longer fill. In the eerie silence, the horror returns to me and I can recall what the happiness was before; everything we'd never have again. It felt as if my heart was bleeding as it exploded in my body: I couldn't breathe. Gripping the window ledge, I fall to my knees in despair. The endless fountain of tears spew from my eyes; haven't I cried enough already? I feel arms wrap around me, a velvet voice whispering in my ear, soothing the gapping gap. I lean against him and just cry. Adam's shirt would be soaked, but knowing him, he wouldn't mind.

It's been two weeks since Jack's death, the worst days of my life. I had to contact his family, review his will, and plan the service and the funeral. His mother helped me with that because I couldn't do it all on my own. To be honest, I had no idea what needed to be done at all. I had never even been to a funeral, let alone plan one out. Not only has Jack's family, as well as my own, been supportive and there for me, Adam has been too. His fondness and caring nature has been dear to me ever since the day after I was attacked in the woods. All my wounds have healed, leaving no scars and my attacker hasn't returned. Then again, I still suffer from the amnesia that night and can not recall exactly what happened, though I believe in Adam's words.

I wonder if my getting close to Adam is wrong, under the current circumstances. Of course, I still love Jack, how could I not? But he's dead, and I suppose I'll love him always, but I can not let that keep me from moving on. My love for him was eternal, now I don't know if it will remain as such though because I wonder if Adam is apart of my future.

Today is the funeral, as well as my last day in the hospital. I have not been home since that night I found out about Jack. I hope my cat has been alright surviving on his own. He probably slipped out one of the open windows and has spent his days hunting, I suppose. I don't want to go home, but I have to. I have to pack up Jack's things and decide what will be done with all of it. But thanks to the relationship Jack had with the company he worked for, all the medical bills and funeral costs are covered. Jack was always working for the greater good, and always told me that we'd be covered if anything ever happened to him. Could he have known that something was going to happen to him?

My prophetic lover, may he rest in peace.

"Silver, we have to leave soon." Adam's voice carried into my thoughts gracefully.

"I know." I had stopped crying, and vowed to shed no more tears. Death is a part of reality, and only a fool would question fate and beg for life to restore what death took. I have been working on accepting it, and looking to the new horizon, isn't that what he'd want anyway?

"I'll take your things out to my car. Your friend should be here soon." He smiled as he grabbed my things.

"Thank you." I said as I placed my hands on his shoulders.

"No worry, Silver." He said with sympathy in his eyes.

I turned towards the window as he left, taking the comfort with him. Once again, bitterness filled the room as the rain washed against the glass in front of me.

Marie's voice sounded from behind me, startling the silence, whisking it away. When I turned to look at her, the sadness in her eyes was like that of my heart. She, too, was close to Jack, a sibling to us both. "The world seems emptier, doesn't it?" She walked over to me and hugged me with passionate sorrow.