Grey, it was all grey. I hated it. There were no color, everything seem drained. The forecast that I saw last week, did say that this month was going to be full of clouds and possible rain. And for some reason I am here, right next to a gravestone. A gravestone seem to be glowing white, but that could just be because of what it has written on it.

Watching the broken faces, all of them worn out from tears. I can't help but wonder, 'Masae, how did you end up in this situation?' I clearly had no idea myself, everything went down so fast. This shouldn't happen. This can't be happening. All I can hear is sobbing now.

"C'mon Masae, what's the problem? You look like you were in grave danger."

The transparent figure loomed over me, a six foot tall man. I stared at and through the image, knowing what's real and what's not. Yet for some reason, probably because I felt like I was going insane, I went along with it.

"Ha that was very funny, Emile. But really, don't you think this is not the time to make jokes."

He, the image of my imagination, looked at me; glances at the forbidden stone then to the worn out person next to it. He put on a soft smile.

"This might be a good time for a laugh."

I see his smile but also through his body all together. I couldn't even tell if this illusion was wearing a red polo striped shirt or not. It could be blue for all I know.

"Emile, this is not the time for me, I should have saw it coming. I'm sorry."

The image crouched down to my sitting level. He made strange faces but my stare was trying to counter with a 'What are you doing'. He laughed or was it a giggle?

"Failing to make you smile, I see, maybe you're just a little bit cloudy today."

He pointed towards the mucked sky. 'Oh my god, he didn't just say that.' He smirked,

"Did the joke of that pour down on you."

My face cracked and was falling to a slight smile, despite myself on how stupid that joke was.

"Emile, I think that could barely count as a pun."

He cracked a smile himself, a real genuine one.

"I'm just trying to be sunny for you today."

There was a laugh from me. The laugh was brief and short. But, when I looked up he was gone. 'Of course, he is gone. Remember Masae, he was just an image!'

For a few seconds I had tricked myself, why? 'I miss his smile.' Though it's cruel to see him smile, since the smile I saw wasn't real. If not only because it was just an illusion and he couldn't talk to me. Not now, not ever could we be able to talk with each other again.

Sobbing is now all I can hear, just tears. In a graveyard filled with bodies yet the crowd right now is just one living person.

I stared at the gravestone once more. My eyes wandered towards the body next to it. The only thing I can hear anymore. He was just sitting there sobbing. 'This one isn't an image Masae' I was right on that, so much regret.

Sitting there, waiting for a miracle, was a man in a plain white shirt and a black overcoat. His clothing soaked thoroughly. The man I used to know was now faded. I gave one last look at the grave and the man, then took this time to leave. Pausing only a second to speak.

"I'm sorry, Emile. That I can't make you smile or laugh. I'm sorry. I wish I could do the same for you."

I disappeared underground to the grave. And step into the light.

The Grave reads as follows

Shauntelle Kikue- 1990-20**

A young woman, friend, whose life was stolen

And was given to Heaven

May she rest in peace.