Forever - Johnny Cade

Chapter 26:

Darry came back early in the morning with Joey's ashes. He took two days off of work so he could get Joey cremated and spread his ashes with me.

I felt bad taking away his work days, because I knew how hard he has to work to keep a meal on the table not only for his two brothers, but his four other brothers, and other sister, but he kept on insisting saying, "it wasn't a problem".

I knew where I wanted to spread his ashes, it was just a bit of a walk. A walk that I didn't want to take alone.

That's why I was glad I had the gang with me to do it. 

The amount of times I wanted to stop, and walk back was in the hundreds, but the gang kept pushing me on telling me that I will feel better after.

I knew they were right. I knew that this would be a relief and a huge weight off my shoulder, but a part of me couldn't let go. 

His ashes were the only thing other than my memories that I've had at him.

As much as I would like to think that I wouldn't forget are moments together, I knew I would grow older and eventually forget about the things we did together piece by piece, and that was torture.

My legs felt like weights were tied to the bottom of my shoes by the time we finally got to the top of the mountain.

It wasn't really a mountain, rather a large hill, but it was still a treck to get to the top of it.

That's why Joey and I came up here so often together. The effort to get to the top had the bad thoughts out of our heads as we focused on beating the other to the top.

That's why we came up here so often. To get away from them.

Now I was up here without him.

It felt so off.

I had my other family by my side, but it almost felt as if I was betraying him, but another part of me felt that he wouldn't mind the people who saved his sister being up here either.

I almost forgot Joey's ashes were in my arms, tight against my chest.

I looked around at the gang who were looking out at the sight in front of them. Full of fresh green trees.

I could feel a tear drip down my cheek as I opened the lid of the urn.

It was so heavy.

I forgot about the feeling of the tear dripping down my rosy cheek and focused on the feel of the hands placed gently and soothingly on my back.

I looked side by side to see each of the members were close by me, a hand on the small of my back as they patiently waited.

I locked eyes with Johnny who gave me his soft smile, and then I was looking out into the great beyond.

We were right on the edge, one more step forward and I could be with Joey, but I never thought about jumping once.

I held the urn farther away from my chest and slowly started to tip it.

I took a deep breath before finally letting the ashes fall from the dark cavern.

"I love you" I say as the ashes fall down to the evergreen below us.

"What do you think it's like down there?" Joey asks as he awes at the breath taking sight in front of him.

"I think that theres magical unicorns and flying dragons down there" I say jokingly as I suck on my lollipop he had previously bought me.

"Come on now, what's with that sarcastic attitude? You never know what's down there!" Joey says as he turns to face me, a glowing look in his eyes.

"Because Unicorns and dragons aren't real, everyone knows that" I tell him as I cross my arms, "you didn't a couple years ago" he mocks as he sits down beside me.

"I was a kid" I tell him, "you still are" he says looking over to me, "yeah, so are you" I backfire, "an old kid" he responds with a smile as he takes a deep breath and looks towards the setting sun.

"You know what I think is down there?" he asks in a calm voice. "What?" I ask curious as to what my older brother was thinking.

"Freedom" 

I look at him weirdly, "freedom?" I ask confused.

"Look at the hills, Lee" he says as he points to all the hills circling around the forest.

"What about them?" I ask still confused.

"No one can get down there. The cliffs are protecting the forest from any harm from humans" he says, a smile never leaving his glowing face.

"Okay?" I say confused, not getting his point. 

"No one can bother us down there. No one can hurt us. We would have mother nature watching over us"  he says in awe, "we would be free" he says as the bright light from the setting sun disappears beneath thick sheets of darkness.

I chime back into reality, a smile plastered on my sad face.

Now you're finally free.

"Kins?" Johnny asks to get my attention.

I turn towards him, "yeah?" I ask confused, "Darry thought you might want this" he says as he hands me something.

I eye it curiously not to sure what it was, till it was in my hands.

A necklace of some sort.

"It was on him when he passed" Darry says.

I look at the silver chain and recognize it vaguely.

Joey always wore a chain around his neck.

If it was his chain, why did it have this oval thing attached to it? 

I open it to realize that it was not a necklace or chain, but a locket.

And inside that locket was a picture of me and Joey sitting on the top of this hill, smiling. 

I remember that day. That was the day he told me about this pace being freedom.

The lollipop still in my mouth as I smile. 

I start to cry and, Johnny doesn't hesitate to pull me into his warm comforting arms.

"I miss him" I say threw sobs.

"I know" Johnny mumbles in my ear, as the gang gathers around me for a group hug.

I felt so strange. Like someone was watching me.

But it wasn't a bad feeling. It was a good one. Like an angel on your shoulder feeling.

That's when I realized that he was right here with me, looking down on me.

A brother protecting his sister. 

But now, not only did I have Joey, but my six other brothers, and one caring boyfriend. 

I smile into Johnny's chest as I can hear Joey's voice in my head yelling, "not too close!"  

SOOO this chapter is kinda short, and doesn't really have and drama or much of Johnny and Kinsley, and I know it's been a while since I've updated, so I hope you weren't disappointed with this chapter.

I really liked this chapter, but I know a lot of people want more drama, but trust me, that's coming! 

See ya next chapter!