stand by me

chapter twenty-eight

^^^listen to the music while you read^^^

We were close. I could feel it. "Coming through the forest, I bet we saved over an hour!" Chris told us. "Teddy?" I said. "Yeah?" He asked. "This the back Harlow Road?" I asked him. "Yeah," He said.
"Brower kid must be around here somewhere. "Teddy. You, Vern, and Gordie take the left side of the tracks, we'll take the right," Chris explained. I went with Chris.
When we got far enough away from the boys, he pulled me close and kissed me. "Chris! They could see!" I reminded him. "They're way down there!" He exaggerated. I smiled and gave him a hug. "Thanks," I said. "For what?" He asked, still hugging me. "Sticking up for me over at the pond," I said. "My pleasure, Y/N!" He said. I was blushing again.
A scream interrupted us. "I found him! Over there! I see him! Look!" Vern shouted from across the tracks. We ran over to them.
None of us could breathe. Somewhere under those bushes was the rest of Ray Brower. The train had knocked Ray Brower out of his Keds, just like it had knocked the life out of his body!
We walked over to it, reluctantly. "God!" Chris said. "Oh shit! Oh my God!" I said. I walked away. I couldn't look at him. He was once a kid like us. Now he is dead. It could have been one of us.
The kid wasn't sick. The kid wasn't sleeping. The kid was dead.
I almost threw up. Without realizing it, I began to cry. Chris walked over to me, while the rest of the guys were still staring at him in awe. "Hey Y/N, it's ok," He said, rubbing my back. I put my head on his shoulder, still crying. "Guys. Go look for some log branches. We'll build him a stretcher," Chris told them. They didn't hesitate. "What's the matter with Y/N?" Vern asked softly. "Nothing. Why don't you guys just go look for some branches," Chris said. "My dad!" I sobbed. "He said I was better off dead!"
My father had said that a few weeks before. I tried not to let that bother me much, but seeing this body. That's how my dad wanted me?
"No! Y/N! If you were dead I don't know what I'd do!" Chris comforted. "I'm no good! My dad said it!" I said between sobs. "He doesn't know you!" Chris said. "He hates me!" I said quietly. "Look Y/N! You are gonna be a great artist someday! Maybe you could draw us one day!" He suggested. "Oh already have!" I said, beginning to smile now. I wiped away my tears. "You'll have to show me when we get back!" He smiled.
Something horrible would happen next.