Then I Realize From The Hollow Sound

Few People Ever Kill For The Right Reasons, June. Most Do It For The Wrong Reasons. I Just Hope You Never Have To Be In Either Category.

When You Stand Out There," John Continues In A Hoarse Voice, "keep Your Chin Up, All Right? Don't Let Them Get To You." "i Won't." "make Them Work For It. Punch Someone If You Have To." John Gives Me A Sad, Crooked Smile. "you're A Scary Kid. So Scare Them. Okay? All The Way Until The End." For The First Time In A Long Time, I Feel Like A Little Brother. I Have To Swallow Hard To Keep My Eyes Dry. "okay," I Whisper.

Day Appears Again. This Time He Leans In Close Enough For His Hair To Brush, Light As Silk, Against My Cheeks. He Pulls Me Towards For A Long Kiss. The Scene Vanishes, Replaced Abruptly By A Stormy Night And Day Struggling Through The Rain, Blood Dripping From His Leg And Leaving A Trail Behind Him. He Collapses Onto His Knees In Front Of Razor Before The Whole Scene Disappears Again.

It Hurts Every Day, The Absence Of Someone Who Was Once There.

Day Just Smiles At Me, An Expression So Sad That It Breaks Through My Numbness, And I Begin To Cry. Those Bright Blue Eyes. Before Me Is The Boy Who Has Bandaged My Wounds On The Streets Of Lake, Who Has Guarded His Family With Every Bone In His Body, Who Has Stayed By My Side In Spite Of Everything, The Boy Of Light And Laughter And Life, Of Grief And Fury And Passion, The Boy Whose Fate Is Intertwined With Mine, Forever And Always. "i Love You," He Whispers. "can You Stay Awhile?