Chapter XX
Tobias

The cove.

I flapped harder. The china was less heavy now. Now that most of the ashes had gone.

But I had spared a little.

I saw the jutting rocks. The sand. The waves of the ocean.

I saw her.

I slowed down, headed to the sand as not to break the urn or spilled the ashes when I dropped it. I tried to get as low to the ground as I could, then I released my grip.

The hawk was tired. Its talons felt sore, but the boy wasn't. And he was thinking nothing but her.

I landed. Seconds later I was human.

I walked toward the urn. I picked it up carefully, carried it in my arm. On a rock slab where we often sat together I put the urn. Then I sat next to it.

The cool, sweet-smelling ocean breeze swept across my face as I stared off into the horizon. The sky was clear and bright; the sunlight twinkling on rippling surface of the ocean. It was always beautiful, the cove was.

Rachel was beautiful.

I sat there, my mind full of thoughts about her. Her long golden hair, her smile, her laugh. Her self-mocking laugh.

Her touch.

I took the urn. Holding it right now obviously felt different like when I was holding her. But it felt right.

Part of me wanted to let go. But the other said no.

The wind blew and swept a twig across the rock surface.

I reached out to catch it. Rachel moved to stop it, too. Our hands collided gently. I took her hand. The twig blew past us, and fell into a crack.

"The past is the past, Tobias. Let it go."

My hand moved to open the urn. I pour the rest of the ashes on to my palm hand, and clutched it for a moment. Then I raised my arm and slowly opened my fingers.

"Good bye, Rachel."

I let the wind did the work.

The sun was setting now. I sat there still. Terrible weight of grief dragged me, the loss of her felt so raw and fresh. It hurt.

Through the view screen I could see her. There, right there, lying helplessly on the floor. She was surrounded by the enemies, but I could see her.

And she could see me.

"I love you."

And then she smiled.

The ocean waves crashed. My time was almost up.

"I love you too, Rachel."

I wiped my face on my sleeve. Then it turned into a wing.

I flew away.