Disclaimer: I own nothing but the Plot. Please don't sue me I'm poor.

It had been two days since Athelstan had been told abut the death of his friend. He still didn't know why his friend had killed himself. And today he was preparing for the funeral. He would be picked up in an hour and taken to the church. He had put on his best clothes and brushed his hair he was just waiting now, waiting to see what remained of his friend.

It had been a tough few days for the residents of house crow. They had all been worried for Athelstan. He hadn't left his room and hardly eaten anything. They tried talking to him but he ignored them. They tried leaving him food and water. He eat bits but it wasn't enough. The only thing they could do was comfort him as much as they could.

Athelstan's phone rang his taxi was waiting for him in the car park. He grabbed his bag and went down stairs.

When Ragnar heard movement from upstairs he left his chair and ran to the front door. He saw Athelstan coming down the stairs. He was dressed nicely and had a small bag in his hands "Athelstan, are you ok?" he asked

Athelstan stared at him blankly for a moment and replied "Yeah. I'm going to the funeral today. My taxi is waiting for me in the car park"

"Do you want me to walk you to the car park?" Ragnar asked

"If you wouldn't mind" Athelstan replied

"I don't mind. Let's go" Ragnar smiled

Not a word passed between them as they walked to the car park. Ragnar was almost fine with this he wished Athelstan would talk to him but he was glad he let him be by his side.

Athelstan saw the taxi and turned to Ragnar "Thank you. I guess I'll see you in a few days"

"Yeah. You know you can call or text any of us while you're gone" Ragnar said

"I will. I'll let you know what happens" Athelstan gave Ragnar a weak smile and got into the taxi. He waved goodbye to Ragnar as the taxi left the school grounds.

As Ragnar waved goodbye to Athelstan he hoped the funeral would bring him some sort of closure.

The journey to Athelstan's home town was a long and boring one. But even if there was excitement around him he wouldn't care. The taxi dropped him off at his home, thankfully it was prepaid so he didn't have to worry about paying the fair.

He knocked on his door until his father answered.

"Athelstan. Come in" his father said

Athelstan entered his former home and sat on the sofa. It hadn't changed much since he had lived here. The only thing that had seemed to have change was the clock on the mantel piece. The old clock had obviously broken somehow and been replaced.

"How was your journey?" his father asked

"Uneventful" he replied

"How has school been? Did they cancel your classes because of the news?"

"School has been fine. And yes I haven't been for a few days. The school board understood my situation and let me take a few weeks off" Athelstan told him

"A few weeks? I don't think you should take that long off. Think about your education Athelstan"

Athelstan looked at him shocked "My friend is dead and I am grieving. I can't think about school work"

"You should conceal your feelings during school hours and then mourn in private" his father said. There was no compassion in his voice for his sons feelings or well being.

Athelstan wanted to scream and rage at his father but he held it in, he didn't even reply.

Athelstan sat in the church wearing his black suit. His father said his other clothes were not suitable so he changed. He stared silently at the wooden coffin that contained the body of his friend. He felt numb when he realised that one day, any day that would be him.

A few more people came in and took their seats. There were quiet murmurs amongst a few groups of people, but Athelstan couldn't hear them. His father sat next to him as still as a statue. He made no attempt to comfort Athelstan and for some reason Athelstan was fine with that.

Athelstan noticed that there was something odd about this funeral. He could only see a few of his former class mates. Where was everyone else? He didn't understand his friend Abel had many friends, where were they? He didn't have time wonder about it further as the funeral had begun.

The priest opened the service by reading from the scriptures, followed by other readings and then the sermon.

Athelstan noticed Abel's parents in the front row but something was wrong with them. Neither of them were crying. Athelstan was shocked. They had just lost their son, he had killed himself. Why weren't they crying or showing and emotion at all? Something wasn't right.

The priest began the personal reading of Abel's life that his parents had written for him to read out "Abel was born a happy and healthy child. He had a loving family and many friends. He had done much good in his life and had been blessed with a future full of hope and opportunities"

Athelstan felt tears pour down his face. He was glad he brought four handkerchiefs with him.

The priest continued "It is however a great shame that he threw his future away for a life of sin and corruption"

'WHAT!' Athelstan thought. His eyes flew open and his mouth gaped 'Sin and corruption? What did he mean?'

"Abel was a sinner and had taken his life in shame, instead of trying to rid himself of them. And now in death he will be judged by the Lord. Let us hope that everyone will learn from his mistake and not follow his example. Let us commend Abel to the mercy of God, our maker and redeemer amen" The priest finished

'What the fuck was that!?' Athelstan couldn't believe what he had just heard. Did Abel's mother and father really write that about their own son? How could they? Why would they? Athelstan's hands were shaking but he would keep calm until the funeral was over.

Abel was buried and people began to leave. Was there no reception? Athelstan wondered.

"Come Athelstan" his father said "We are going to the will reading"

The will reading? Did Abel leave him something? They entered a small room and sat down at a table. Abel's parents were there and two of his other friends. There was only six people at the will reading the other person was Abel's benefactor.

"Ladies and Gentlemen we are gathered here today to read the last will and testimony of Abel Howards. To the twins Jacob and Jonathan I have no ill will against you, what happened was not your fault. I understand why you told me I was not your friend anymore and was glad when you offered a small amount if support. For you two I leave all my work and text books to help with your studding. I may not be here to tutor you anymore but consider my way of continuing to help you"

The twins nodded the younger twin Jacob, Athelstan could see his bottom lip trembling. Abel often tutored the twins. They were both born with learning difficulties and they were always grateful for his help. The twins grabbed two bags containing text books and other pieces of work and then left.

"To my mother and father I have nothing to give you as you had provided everything for me. The only thing I can leave you is my pity and the phrase 'God will forgive me. Can you?' that is all"

Athelstan saw Mrs Howards red turn red and scrunch up her fist in anger.

"And finally to my friend Athelstan. Athelstan you have been one of my closes and dearest friends, I will never forget you. I'm sorry things turned out the way they did but I guess that is life. For you I have left a letter. In it I have a written a list of things I want you to have and I have written a person letter for you to read in private"

Athelstan was handed two letters and thanked the man. On the front of one of the letters it read items to be given and the other one read to be read it private. Athelstan tucked the private letter in his pocket and opened the other one.

"What has he left you?" Mrs Howards asked, her voice seemed cold.

"Oh um, just a few things " he replied. He read down the list "School photo albums, a few books, a small safety box and his chess set"

"You may pick them up this afternoon and be quick about it" Mrs Howards said "What about your other letter?"

"It's to be read in private" Athelstan replied

Mrs Howards seemed to scowl at him. 'You can scowl all you like you nosy bitch' Athelstan thought as she and her husband had left.

"I take it you won't tell me what he's wrote either?" his father asked

"I'm going to respect Abel's wishes and read it in private" Athelstan replied

"Very well"

As his father drove him to the Howards house hold, he was twitching to find out what Abel had written. But he was determined to keep it private. They parked outside the house and then knocked on. Mr Howards opened the door and let them in. Athelstan was taken to Abel's bedroom and told to collect the items he was given and then leave.

The first thing he picked up was the chess set. Athelstan remembered how he and Abel would play chess for hours. But now was not the time for reminiscing he wanted to leave quickly. He managed to find all the things Abel had left him and leave.

During the drive home his father asked "I suppose you're wondering what Abel had done to deserve his parents scorn?"

"Yes. I thought something was wrong at the funeral. Abel had lots of friends where were they? And his parents seemed so cold and that personal reading they wrote. Abel a sinner? What was that about?" Athelstan asked

"A lot of things happened after you left. Abel's mother caught him committing a most heinous act. Sodomy"

"What!? Abel was having sex with another man?"

"Yes, and his mother caught him. In their own home no less. Needless to say she told everyone what she had seen and Abel what made an outcast, at school and in his own home"

Athelstan was gobsmacked. He never knew any of this "What happened?"

"He was kicked out of school, his family disowned him and then kicked him out of their house. I heard he lived on the street for a while and then went to a shelter, but I can't be sure about that" his father explained

'Oh Abel. How could they?' Athelstan felt tears in his eyes again. He finally understood why the funeral was so strange "Didn't anyone try to help him?" he asked

"We did. We tried to cleanse him of his sins and convince him that he wasn't...that way"

That was not what he had meant "Didn't anyone try to help him when he was starving on the street?" he said hissing through his teeth

"We left him to his own devices Athelstan. We tried to help and he refused, so we left him"

Athelstan balled his fist in anger and clenched his teeth. The rest of the ride home was quiet. Athelstan told his father he would be in his room if he needed anything. Athelstan was a whirlwind of emotions right now.

Rage, anger, hatred, sadness, grief and guilt. He didn't know if he should scream in anger or wallow in sadness. How could they have done that to Abel? His friend his family, how could they? And why didn't Abel ask him for help? He would have never turned him away no matter what. He took the letter out of his pocket and sat on his bed. He didn't know how long he looked at the letter but finally he decided to open it. He tore open the seal and unfolded the paper.

The letter read: Dear Athelstan if you are reading this then I am dead. I wrote you a letter and told you to read it in private so you would know the truth. Months ago my mother caught me in bed with a man. But I knew I was gay long before that. When my mother told people they started to look at me different. My friends stayed away from me and my family started treating me like a disease. I was bullied mercilessly after that. At school people would call me names, throw things at me, hit me and the teachers did nothing, sometimes they would encourage it. My parents bullied me as well they would call me vile names and look at me in disgust. Eventually they tried to 'help' me or so they called it, they tried to teach me the errors of my ways. At one point they even suggested going steady with a girl just to show how 'normal' it was. I did indulge in their ideas of trying to help me but it was too much, so I stopped trying and they didn't like it. Eventually they my parents didn't want me soiling their house with my disease, so they threw me out. I lived on the street for a few weeks before living in a youth hostel. I hated that place. I was mocked for everything. My religion, my sexuality, my height even my red hair wasn't safe. I moved to another hostel and found it was just like the last one. I didn't want to live anywhere like that. I stayed on the street and in homeless shelters and soon began to realise how cruel the world was. People walked past me in the street like I wasn't there shivering in the rain. Men wanted to pay my for my body especially paedophiles. I never did it though. Then I started to look for ways to escape my pain. Harming myself was easy enough. Then one day something happened, I was walking down a street when I bumped into some punk they turn to me and said 'watch where you're going, you piece of trash' and then walked away. That word, trash. It seemed to echo in the back of my mind. Trash, trash, trash and then it hit me, I was trash. I was worthless. I was nothing. Nobody wanted me and I didn't have any where to go. So I decided to get my affairs in order and end it all. I was so scared when I put that pill in my mouth, but I didn't care. I was doing the world a favour by getting rid of myself. I even put my body in the rubbish bin like the piece of trash that I am. But I did have one thing that made me happy and that was memories of us. If you were still here I have no doubt that you would have stuck by me. It would have made me happy if you did but then people would have turned on you as well. I wished you were here but I was glad you were not. Athelstan I left you a few keep sakes in my other letter however I also left you something else. I left you the money I had saved in my bank. Because of my parents I was not allowed to touch it until I was twenty one, however thanks to some clever business sense I was able to transfer it to your account. It should be in there the day after my funeral. My parents will be angry that I gave it away, instead of letting them have it but I don't care, let them be mad, they can't hurt me anymore. Just make sure you don't tell them or anyone else. Well...I guess that's it. I guess this is goodbye my friend. I just have one more thing to say I'm sorry for leaving you alone and good luck.

Athelstan read the letter over and over again until the words started to looked blurred. He felt deprived of all feelings and emotions. All he could do was curl up in his bed and hold the letter close to his chest.

Athelstan still felt devoid of everything when morning came. He re-read the letter again and made the decision to go to the bank. He left without saying anything to his father and walked down the familiar roads. He made it to the bank in only twenty minutes.

He entered the building and used the bank machine. He put his bank card in the machine and punched in his pin. He waited for a moment before pressing the check balance button. When the screen displayed the amount he almost chocked. He wrote down the number and removed his card. He ran back home and went back to his room.

He gaped at the number he had written down. £200,000! Where had Abel gotten that amount of money? And now it belonged to him. What was he going to do with it? Well he could afford a lot of things now, he could survive by himself for a long time or for life if he used it wisely.

Athelstan couldn't lie he was a little angry at Abel for thinking a large amount of money would make up for his death but maybe Abel wasn't thinking about that. Maybe he didn't want his parents or anyone else getting their hands on it. Athelstan could understand his reasoning. But still it was a lot of money. He would be careful with it.

*KNOCK, KNOCK*

The sudden knocking at his door made Athelstan jump. He shoved the papers in his pocket and said "Yes?"

His father walks in and says "Athelstan there will be a taxi waiting for you soon. You have an hour to get ready"

"Excuse me?" Athelstan said confused

"The taxi will take you back to school Athelstan. You can't take too much time away from your studies" then he shut the door and left

'Oh my God' Athelstan couldn't believe this. When had his father become so cold towards him. Well whatever if his father didn't want him there so be it. He packed everything he needed and waited for the taxi. When the taxi arrived he said a quick goodbye to his father and left.

On the journey back to school Athelstan wondered what he was going to do with his life. He and Able had made many plans for the future. They wanted to live together to half the rent. There were many things they wanted to do like go to a concert just because their parents wouldn't like it and there were so many places they wanted to see. But they couldn't do any of that now.

Although, now that he thought about it there was one thing he could do with that money.