I read today that a young man who belonged to a message board I frequent died and I was suddenly struck to write a story. I don't know why, but this is what popped out.


This ficlet is ambiguous. It's a eulogy for one of the guys given by one of his friends.


His life ended. Just like that. His mortal life ripped from him without a choice. Without a second chance. There were no last words. Not a final goodbye to friends and family. Just the end. It proves how quickly life can pass us by.


"He was a great man. A noble man. Someone everyone could talk to and walk away feeling worlds better no matter the situation. People like him are far and few between. And I would know. It took me nearly a fourth of my life to run into someone like him.

"He did a lot of good in his life aside from saving the world with us whether on the front lines or behind the scenes. He touched everyone he met whether he knew it or not. And hopefully the stories about him and what he did will touch a great many more. There are so many I could share with you, but that would take a lifetime. Like the lifetime it took to create them.

"His wife has to live on now. She may believe she's alone now, but we'll still be with her. She's a strong woman, but she'll never have to carry on the burden of his death on her own. As long we're still here, as long as our kids and grandkids are still here she'll never have to live through anything alone.

"He will always be with us. He'll live in our minds and he's been etched in our hearts. We won't forget that twinkle in his eye or that one particular look of his that never seemed to leave his face.

"So, until we meet again, good buddy. May you rest in peace. Rest in peace."