1986 [harry styles au]

XIII. FUNERAL

CHAPTER XIII. FUNERAL
When we've finally entered the church, we make the decision of staying at the back; not wanting to intrude on the actual ceremony. My question regarding the body is answered as soon as we step inside and my eyes are laid on the open casket. But Blake appeared more alive than he did when we found him, a tux was now on his body and his face had likely been powdered to give him more colour. We had arrived just as the priest was introducing somebody up to speak.

'And so, it is an honour to invite Blake's brother, John, up to the stand to say some words.' The priest says before he is replaced by a young boy, of similar age range to Blake, with similar features.

'Blake -' He takes a moment to clear his throat, 'Blake was my best friend. Yes, he was my brother and it's expected that we would have a close bond. But no, Blake was more to me than just a close bond. We had grown up intertwined with each other like flowers. Blake was three years older than me, I'm only fourteen, but I find it damn sad that I have to see the funeral of my older brother. He was wrongfully taken away from our family.' The boy stops again, but this time tears are beginning to tumble down his cheeks. I find that I, myself, am also crying; Harry softly squeezes my hand but he too gulps with sadness. 'Blake was murdered. He was the kindest soul I had and will ever have the good fortune of meeting, but now he is gone. My best friend is gone. And - and - I'll never get him back again.' He begins to sob.

We can hear him take a deep breath before speaking again. 'I will always remember the time when Blake saved my life. He was walking with me to a park, it was a hot summers day so we thought it was the perfect time to play some soccer. I was kicking the ball along the sidewalk when it fell into the road, I was around eleven then so I just ran into the road after it. A car horn was soon heard, but I didn't realise until it was too late. I thought it was the end, I thought I was going to get hit by the car and die.' He stops to look towards Blake's casket, I can hear a sob from the first pew and it comes from a blonde-haired woman. The boy looks towards her with sympathy and it's clear that she's his mom. 'I felt two hands grab my shoulders and, with all their might, push me to the other side of the road. What I remember most was how I fell against the hard concrete and noticed the car stop, I recall feeling relieved that I had got out alive. But, then I noticed that the car had really stopped because - it had hit Blake. He was still alive but suffered a broken rib - even on the floor, he kept telling me: I'm okay, John, I'm okay. I just wish, more than anything, that he could tell me that now.'

He sobs again, all of his features had finally crumbled and he fell into a series of wails. 'I - I love you, brother.' His hands flew over his eyes, wiping them, before he stumbled back off the stage. The priest put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder to comfort him, but he headed past him and hurried down the aisle. He gathered speed and ran straight past Harry and I near the doors. The blonde-haired woman stood and ran after him, her mascara was smudged all the way to her chin.

Blake no longer was merely a body to me. He had a family, he had people who adored him, and he had a brother who cared for him more than himself. It felt like a deeper meaning had enriched our discovery, we needed to find justice for Blake - for what he went through. He took a bullet for the rest of us, he was the chosen one for the murderer; he had took the pain so that others hadn't had to. That is until two weeks had passed, and another murder was sure to take place. The whole situation made me feel nervous for what could be.

'This is the time we have dedicated for the visitors to see Blake before the casket is closed, to pay their respects for a life once lived. There will soon be a separate gathering for his immediate family, Blake's mother instructs the family to meet outside in half an hour near the funeral car.' The priest instructs and people begin to line up down the aisle, to spend time at his casket.