The stars were exceedingly beautiful that night, twinkling in that late October sky. The air was cold, colder than typical for this time of year but none of the brothers paid it any mind. It felt nice in fact, invigorating.
Seated atop one of the many abandoned buildings in the city the brothers and their father remained silent. It was an anniversary, not unlike ones before it, but now as much in celebration as in remembrance.
So much had changed in the last year and yet so much had somehow remained the same, too, and though every day she was on their minds, this day more than the rest, her spirit dominated their thoughts.
Despite numerous exhaustive searches the small family never did learn who she was. Fingerprints, DNA, facial recognition yielded nothing. She lay in an unmarked grave beneath the tree, his grave, with no one to mourn her absence but the secluded family and their small clan. Briefly they considered traveling to the farmhouse to see her this night but somehow knew they were needed here.
The night was a calm one, especially for them, and they were grateful they were permitted to mourn in peace.
Huddled together around a small glowing candle while their father spoke a prayer for her sacrifice and departed soul, the brothers linked hands, each one finding a way to be in contact with the others, together. No bond had ever been this strong.
One final moment of silence to allow them to collect themselves and their belongings, and they prepared to leave only to halt suddenly as a light breeze picked up, dancing along their skin and singing a soft song in a ghostly voice.
Tearing across the rooftops they ran, following the voice, without question, until the singing stopped. Landing on a rooftop miles away they waited, peering over the edge to the building across from them. Inside sat and elderly man, asleep in his chair, a warm blanket draped across his legs this chilly night.
Moments became minutes, became hours it felt, and just before they turned to leave time seemed to stop and a girl stepped into view. Her waist length chocolate hair was pulled back and low, her green eyes seemed to smile as she strode forward, singing.
"Ooo – ooh, would you meet me in the morning? Ooo – ooh, you left without any warning. Ooo – ooh, I don't know where to put you know."
She picked up the elderly mans hand, cradling it comfortingly in her own before pulling him to his feet to stand with her toe to toe.
"Ashes like snow. Where did you go – oh."
During that moment that time had missed their clasped hands began to glow until the light engulfed them both, warm and bright. As the light faded away and time resumed, the man was again sitting in his chair, his blanket draped across his legs this chilly night, and in his hand a framed photograph.
He did not stir and his lungs did not draw breath.
Smiling a bittersweet smile and nodding in understanding the brothers and their father turned to go home. Together.