Since I was a child, he had been there; whatever I needed, he had provided without question. The few celebrations and the many more tragedies of my short life, he had been there, holding my hand and occasionally my hair. He had been my protector, my constant companion, and I had loved him for it. Now, in the darkest hour of my life, he was no where to be found and I longed for his comforting presence, his warm smile, and his protective embrace. I knew now that I would never see him again, and I sobbed realizing that that hope had been the only thing holding me together all this time. Now, as death loomed closer, a malicious smile on his lips and a liquor bottle hanging precariously from his fingers, only one name crossed my mind, heart, and lips, "Embry…"