Coffin

His coffin was so small. I made it myself actually; it was a thick cedar that I painted black. It's lining was silk I had bought from China and inside I laid dozens of flowers. My little brother didn't deserve what happened to him but it was my job as his big brother to make sure he had a safe trip into the afterlife. So in his hands I laid a cross along with the long broom he always carried with him. "Oh little brother…" I said softly as I grabbed the nails. "May God take you in with open arms." I said with each strike of the hammer. "Lord, keep him safe until he can see his little brown haired girl again."

Once I'm finished I motion for the few other barriers and together we walk him to his resting place.

His coffin was so small but the weight it bared was nearly too much for us to hold. My little brother was gone but I knew it wouldn't be for good. His current body would dissolve as a new one would be made for him.

Sure his memories would be hazy and he would not recall who the girl in the green dress was but at least he'd be with me again.

We placed his coffin into his grave as the priest said a few more words. Then as they stood back I took a touch and sent the black coffin on fire. "I'm sorry." I whispered as the wood cracked and splintered. "But it's for you own good. " They looked on in horror but I stood tall as I watched the fire burn and listened to the high pitched screams. "Soon it'll be over…"

As the clouds above let out a crack of lightening the coffin was reduced to ashes and soot. I turned back towards the church hoping that one day when I fall in battle that he does the same thing for me.