Farmer's Market

The death of... Death?

The sun was starting to set, it was going to be dark soon enough.
   Salvador walked leisurely through the forest, Bones following after, both deep in thought. Neither of them wanted to be the one to first break the silence, until Bones winced and almost fell to the ground.
   -Are you ok?
   -I think we should return to elevator, he sighed. Don't think I'm gonna last much longer.
   He leaned on Salvador for support as they slowly headed back inside.
   -You sorted everything out with the rest?
   -I think so, yeah. They know. After I'm gone, either Cat or Rabbit are gonna drive you back. It's a long way, you can't walk it. You're gonna need to- Agh!
   Bones doubled over in pain, gritting his teeth. Salvador quickened their pace.
   They exited the same elevator they'd used hundreds of times and God, it all seemed almost surreal. Did they even realise when they paced the empty hallway? Neither could certainly remember opening the door either.
   -I still can't believe you'll be gone soon, Salvador laughed nervously.
   -It's better this way. It doesn't even hurt anymore. I barely feel like I even exis-
   Bones fell to his knees. A blue sort of liquid seeped out of his mouth.
   -Oh dear.
   -This doesn't look good.
   -Relax, Vincent. It's normal. Part of the process. I'll start… dissipating. I'll be smoke before you even notice.
   He sounded oddly calm.
   -Oh. Oh, he shook his head, no- the tips of his fingers were starting to look fuzzy. He was feeling quite fuzzy too.
   -It's starting. You're here, right? Stay here. Don't leave.
   He was growing frantic. Salvador grasped his arms and pulled Bones to him.
   -You're gonna be fine. It's going to be ok.
   -I wish- he rambled on, that I was a better friend. Did I do enough? I wasn't the best leader, and my choices weren't the best and-
   -You did all that you could. You've always fought, now it's time you stop fighting. Go.
   Bones tensed for a second, then smiled sadly.
   -Take care.
   And with that, thin smoke filled the room, and Bones was gone.
   Salvador got up. He felt… calm. No threat, no reason to worry, just a calmness he hadn't felt in years.
   He exited the room, where he was met with two familiar faces. Or… masks.
   -He's dead? asked Cat.
   Rabbit lightly smacked his shoulder.
   -'Course he's dead! Why would Mr Sal over here get out so soon if he wasn't? Come on,  she gestured for them to follow her.
   It was a quiet car ride. The air felt tense, until-
   Rabbit took off her mask and stopped in front of a gas station.
   -I don't know what you guys think, but I gotta grab something to eat.
   They stood silent for a second, until they burst into laughter as she exited the car, only to return 15 minutes later with some pastries and a coffee.
   -Hey, you look tired, piped up Cat. Want me to drive instead?
   -Absolutely not. No way you're getting in the driver's seat.
***
   About an hour later, Salvador got out of the car and opened the gate to his yard.
   He waved at the car, and headed for the house. Very, very quietly, he opened the door and looked at the shape left sleeping on the couch.
   A pale, sunken face and paper white hair, sleeping with a hand on his chest, veins and bone visible in certain areas.
   Salvador brushed his fingers over the other's hand.
   -Jack, he whispered. Jack, wake up.
   His eyes opened slowly, clouded from his sleep and then widened in surprise as Griffin took in what was in front of him.
   -You're alive! he cried out.
   He extended a hand towards Salvador, who used it to pull him into a hug, which Griffin gratefully returned, squealing in surprise as he felt himself get lifted in the air.
   -Have they done anything to you? asked Griffin, his voice small and uncertain. The possible answer worried him to death, a feeling of sickness pooling in his stomach.
   -Nothing! But God, do I have a story to tell you.
   -Vince, you had me worried sick! he laughed, relieved.
   Still, his eyes stung and his chest hurt, a dull ache that the newfound comfort did not alleviate, but rather strengthened it. So, it was no surprise when tears started rolling down his cheeks, his whole being shaking. Salvador's face fell.
   -Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry, just-
   -No, no you- you didn't do anything wrong, I've just- I've been stressing about where could you be and what happened to you and… I thought you died and it would've been my fault.
   -Oh God, I'm so sorry. I just couldn't find a way to talk to all of you, and you- I thought you hated me!
   Griffin shook with sobs, face buried in Salvador's shoulder, grabbing hold of fistfulls of his shirt.
   -Please, he whispered, it's ok, don't cry. I'm here. We're alright. I'm not leaving again, ok?
   Griffin nodded, breathing in deeply before speaking again.
   -Vince, we have to tell the others you're back.
   -And wake them up? Absolutely not, he grinned, lowering Griffin back on the couch. Now scoot over, I have so much to tell you!