An Alaskan Midnight

Chapter 13

Before Brett and Eddy knew it, Christmas was almost upon them. Except it wouldn't be a happy holiday.

Brett still ignored Eddy, frustrated by the lack of responsibility in his research partner. Whenever he walked by, Eddy felt a stab of guilt. And the stack of firewood only got lower. The closest woods to them were a couple of miles away, and the snow was coming down way too heavily for them to collect any wood from there safely.

By the time Christmas Eve came, Eddy looked at the stack. Only three logs were left. This would be their last night.

Trying to hold back his tears, Eddy took the pieces of wood and lit them slowly, watching as the life-giving fire destroyed the very thing they needed to survive. Brett walked up to Eddy, a blanket wrapped around him.

"Hey Eddy," he whispered.

Eddy didn't look up, still ashamed of his mistake. "Yes Brett."
He sat down next to Eddy. "Look, what you did was foolish and will likely cost us our lives. But you know what, that shouldn't keep us from being together. Eddy, I love you," he looked into his eyes. "And I don't want to wait to restore our friendship until it's too late."
Eddy looked up at Brett. "I'm so sorry."
Brett hugged him. "I forgive you." 

All of the weight he had been carrying fell off in the form of tears. Eddy sobbed into Brett's shoulder. Surprisingly, Brett didn't pull away in embarassment. He continued to hug Eddy, whispering, "It will be alright."

Throughout the day they did the typical chores of taking care of the dogs and organizing, trying to ignore the fate descending on them. Eddy wrote his last letter to Lucy, a letter of appreciation and reflection on his life. Writing the letter, he was surprised by how much he had changed. Before, he was self-centered and lazy; now, he wanted to take care of the people in his life. He didn't care whether they seemed to love him back anymore -- he had learned from Brett that the most rewarding friendships are the most challenging to achieve.
Soon, night descended upon them. They cooked fish over the fire's dying embers. Then Brett looked over at the violins. "They're probably going to crack soon with how cold it's getting." He sighed sadly.

Eddy sighed as well. "I wish there was something we could do."
Brett picked up his violin. "Well, we can play them, for one last time before we have to go."
Before we have to go. "It's really happening." Their fate began to register to Eddy.

Brett nodded silently. "But let's enjoy the time we have."

Eddy unzipped his violin case and took out the instrument.

"Maybe, since it's Christmas tomorrow, we can play a Christmas carol? Like 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman'?" Brett suggested.
Eddy nodded. Although the lyrics were nothing special, there was something about the melody -- something pensive and beautiful, almost tragic. Exactly the way both of them felt.

Brett began, playing with raw emotion and passion. He looked into Eddy's eyes, tears forming in his own. Eddy played an accompaniment line, using his perfect pitch to ensure the notes worked together.

Slowly the two of them came closer together. Eddy could feel a tear streaming down his cheek. So this would really be their last night. Their last glance at the world -- and each other. 

Eddy looked into Brett's eyes. They stung with grief and heartache. And almost... guilt.

For a moment, Eddy stopped playing. "Brett, are you alright?"
Brett shook his head, then sat on the couch silently. He sobbed, his entire body shaking. Eddy sat down next to him, trying desperately to think of a way to comfort him. 
Unable to think of the right words, he simply sat there, holding Brett as he cried and trembled in his arms. Before he knew it, Eddy was crying himself. The two of them fell asleep, new tears still flowing over the dried ones.