Sorry for the gap between updates; I've written the same apologetic note on my "Stuck" fic as well, so I don't feel the need to repeat all the details except: sorry, I'm very sorry! But, here is an update, I hope it is enjoyable for my lovely readers' long wait. So, Dharke, are you old and gray while reading this? Anyway, please enjoy and review!
Chapter Five Foreboding Feelings
It was no surprise to Alex that he couldn't sleep. In fact, he expected never to be able to sleep again, after everything that had happened in the past couple of hours. So, instead of sleeping like his parents, he paced the downstairs of his house, the latest information about the plane explosion ringing in his ears in the form of a news report. All the reports were the same, no matter what station or reporting was voicing them: there was no leads on what had caused Flight 180 to explode shortly after take off and, what was worse, it was highly doubtful that there would be any survivors. The reports also lightly touched down on the fact that several students had been removed, but they were reluctant to give too many details. 'The F.B.I. doesn't want them tampering with their investigation,' Alex realized, though it wasn't much of a revelation. He could have cared less if the public screwed around with the investigation, Weine and Shrek all ready thought he was responsible.
Alex continued to pace around the living room, stopping by the window to gaze out into the seemingly peaceful world that they beyond the glass. The neighborhood was quiet, aside from the occasional rumble of thunder in the distance. The worst of the natural storm was beyond them now, but Alex feared that another storm was waiting to overcome them once more.
* * *
Thirty-nine days had passed since the explosion of Flight 180 as it took off from John F. Kennedy airport, heading toward Paris and a chance for freedom. But now, everyone that had been onboard the plane was now dead, with no chance of freedom in sight for them.
Alex sat beside his mother and father as he listened to his balding principal deliver the best eulogy his academic training had prepared him for. The entire surviving Mt. Abraham student body was gathered outside on the courtyard, sitting in silence and waiting for the memorial to be unveiled.
"So, before we can heal, begin to celebrate life, we must remember and celebrate theirs, with this memorial." The pudgy man finished as two female members of the student council tugged away the beige sheets covering a huge bronze eagle with its wings spread wide, remaining stationary on a heavy block engraved with the names of those that had perished on Flight 180.
Alex let out a slow sigh as he studied the statue, taking his eyes away from the golden names he couldn't read and glancing behind him. First his eyes settled on Clear, who was sitting off to one side, alone as she always was, dressed in flattering black and holding a white rose. She seemed to sense him staring at her and looked over at him, locking eyes with him for a brief moment before Alex tore his eyes away. Instead, he noticed Agents Weine and Shrek staring his way, their arms crossed over their perfectly pressed suits, attempting to look threatening and commanding. The agents looked neither to Alex and he looked away again, noticing that a throng of students had begun to file toward the memorial to lay their roses upon the bronze base.
Without a word to his parents, Alex stood and threaded his way toward the students as well, not noticing that Clear stood when he did, heading toward the front to join him. It was just his luck that he ended up behind Carter and Terry, who were leaning against each other in support; he couldn't help but notice how perfect Terry looked, not a hair out of place upon her head, nor was any of her makeup smudged. Alex did his best to try and ignore Carter, knowing that now was no time to get into a fight with the jock but Carter had other ideas.
"Browning, I don't owe you anything 'cause my name ain't up on this wall." He called over his shoulder, causing Alex to sigh and shift his weight as he walked, closing his eyes briefly.
"I know." Alex mumbled, hoping to leave the conversation at that but, perhaps because he sensed the teen's discomfort, Carter whirled around, catching Terry off guard.
"Because of these people I've learned to live my life to the fullest." Carter snapped, as though attempting to justify exactly why he hadn't died on the plane explosion with some of his much better classmates.
Alex rolled his eyes, though he hoped that the antagonistic jock didn't notice. "Then why don't you stay off the J.D. Carter." He mumbled, unable to help himself, smelling the alcohol thick on his breath.
Carter let go of Terry, pushing her aside as he grabbed at Alex, gripping his arm tightly and pulling his closer. "Don't ever tell me what to do; I control my life, not you!" He hissed, tightening his grip when Alex attempted to wrestle away.
"Carter." Terry hissed, pulling her boyfriend away from Alex, who looked too exhausted or bewildered to resist fighting against his violent advances. With a final glare at the teenager, Carter released his hold, and, before turning back to face Terry, said, "I'm never gonna die."
Alex watched him continue down the line, wishing that he could take comfort in Carter's ill-comforting words but he could do no such thing; it wasn't the fact that he knew that Carter would say someday, they all would. He just hoped it wasn't someday soon.
* * *
Alex had just laid down his rose when he was aware of someone standing beside him. When he turned, he was relieved to see that it was no one other then his friend Tod, whom he hadn't spoken to since the night of the accident. Tod dropped his rose as well, straighting again and turning to look at his friend, who gave him a stretched silence.
"Tod, don't take this the wrong way, but...I've missed you lately." Alex confessed, feeling that he could speak with candor to his childhood friend.
Tod offered a weak smile as well, shrugging his shoulders slightly as he sighed. "Yeah, I've missed you too man. But, my dad, you know, he doesn't understand. But, you know when some time has passed, we'll do something together, maybe go on a road trip to the city, watch a Yank's game." He offered, attempting to let Alex know that he didn't blame him for what had happened to the plane and his brother. Not anymore.
Alex was relieved that his friend was offering to make amends first, for he didn't know how he could go about doing such a thing. "Yeah, okay, we'll do that man." He agreed, his smile much more genuine this time.
Tod nodded once before saying, "I'd better go, Miss Lewton showed me this thing that they're going to let me read. It says what I'm feeling." The two friends shared a brotherly hugged before Tod wandered off to find his parents and Miss Lewton, who was going to introduce him and his connection to the deceased before he spoke whatever speech he had been given.
Alex turned to go but was stopped when he ran into Clear, who quickly thrust her white rose into his hands, as though she had to act before she changed her mind. "Because you I'm still alive. Thank you." Alex took the rose, bewildered, wanting to say something to the brunette what she was gone before he could even open his mouth.
He stared down at the white rose in his hand, staring after Clear with a confused look upon his face. So far, she had been the only one to say thank-you for the strange actions he had preformed.
* * *
"We say that the hour of death cannot be forecast." Tod began, pausing and clearing his throat nervously, staring down at the gaggle of people who were seated before the platform he now stood upon. "But, but when we say this we imagine that the hour is placed in an obscure and distance future; it never occurs to us that it has any connection with the day all ready begun. Or that death could come this very day, this day which is so certain and has every hour filled in advance."
Tod paused, clearing his throat once more and letting his gaze drift toward the overcast day. He couldn't help but think about his brother, who had teased and mocked, but surely loved him.
TOD: "The rage in my eyes could have compared to the eye of the sun. Then rain took its course through the hands of the sun. The world is at war leaving hope behind.
"So, is this the end for us my friend? The saints in the sky are there to remind us of man and his plight. When two worlds collide, one steals a life like a thief in the night. So look to the sky, He holds the keys for your life and mine.
"So, is this the end for us my friend? Well, as the wind rides, as the day breaks for dawn and as the moon hides the sun. No more sorrow, oh those crying days are gone. No more sorrow, now its gone.
"Now it's gone. So, is this the end for us my friend?"
Even though he was the survivor of a horrible accident and everyone said that he should feel lucky...he didn't. He felt guilty, and, strangely afraid. Afraid that the end was near, after all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, I know this wasn't the best song but I wanted to put a song in there cause it is, after all, a musical. And I don't want to repeat the movie word for word, because we've all already seen it. So, anyway, please review!
Chapter Five Foreboding Feelings
It was no surprise to Alex that he couldn't sleep. In fact, he expected never to be able to sleep again, after everything that had happened in the past couple of hours. So, instead of sleeping like his parents, he paced the downstairs of his house, the latest information about the plane explosion ringing in his ears in the form of a news report. All the reports were the same, no matter what station or reporting was voicing them: there was no leads on what had caused Flight 180 to explode shortly after take off and, what was worse, it was highly doubtful that there would be any survivors. The reports also lightly touched down on the fact that several students had been removed, but they were reluctant to give too many details. 'The F.B.I. doesn't want them tampering with their investigation,' Alex realized, though it wasn't much of a revelation. He could have cared less if the public screwed around with the investigation, Weine and Shrek all ready thought he was responsible.
Alex continued to pace around the living room, stopping by the window to gaze out into the seemingly peaceful world that they beyond the glass. The neighborhood was quiet, aside from the occasional rumble of thunder in the distance. The worst of the natural storm was beyond them now, but Alex feared that another storm was waiting to overcome them once more.
* * *
Thirty-nine days had passed since the explosion of Flight 180 as it took off from John F. Kennedy airport, heading toward Paris and a chance for freedom. But now, everyone that had been onboard the plane was now dead, with no chance of freedom in sight for them.
Alex sat beside his mother and father as he listened to his balding principal deliver the best eulogy his academic training had prepared him for. The entire surviving Mt. Abraham student body was gathered outside on the courtyard, sitting in silence and waiting for the memorial to be unveiled.
"So, before we can heal, begin to celebrate life, we must remember and celebrate theirs, with this memorial." The pudgy man finished as two female members of the student council tugged away the beige sheets covering a huge bronze eagle with its wings spread wide, remaining stationary on a heavy block engraved with the names of those that had perished on Flight 180.
Alex let out a slow sigh as he studied the statue, taking his eyes away from the golden names he couldn't read and glancing behind him. First his eyes settled on Clear, who was sitting off to one side, alone as she always was, dressed in flattering black and holding a white rose. She seemed to sense him staring at her and looked over at him, locking eyes with him for a brief moment before Alex tore his eyes away. Instead, he noticed Agents Weine and Shrek staring his way, their arms crossed over their perfectly pressed suits, attempting to look threatening and commanding. The agents looked neither to Alex and he looked away again, noticing that a throng of students had begun to file toward the memorial to lay their roses upon the bronze base.
Without a word to his parents, Alex stood and threaded his way toward the students as well, not noticing that Clear stood when he did, heading toward the front to join him. It was just his luck that he ended up behind Carter and Terry, who were leaning against each other in support; he couldn't help but notice how perfect Terry looked, not a hair out of place upon her head, nor was any of her makeup smudged. Alex did his best to try and ignore Carter, knowing that now was no time to get into a fight with the jock but Carter had other ideas.
"Browning, I don't owe you anything 'cause my name ain't up on this wall." He called over his shoulder, causing Alex to sigh and shift his weight as he walked, closing his eyes briefly.
"I know." Alex mumbled, hoping to leave the conversation at that but, perhaps because he sensed the teen's discomfort, Carter whirled around, catching Terry off guard.
"Because of these people I've learned to live my life to the fullest." Carter snapped, as though attempting to justify exactly why he hadn't died on the plane explosion with some of his much better classmates.
Alex rolled his eyes, though he hoped that the antagonistic jock didn't notice. "Then why don't you stay off the J.D. Carter." He mumbled, unable to help himself, smelling the alcohol thick on his breath.
Carter let go of Terry, pushing her aside as he grabbed at Alex, gripping his arm tightly and pulling his closer. "Don't ever tell me what to do; I control my life, not you!" He hissed, tightening his grip when Alex attempted to wrestle away.
"Carter." Terry hissed, pulling her boyfriend away from Alex, who looked too exhausted or bewildered to resist fighting against his violent advances. With a final glare at the teenager, Carter released his hold, and, before turning back to face Terry, said, "I'm never gonna die."
Alex watched him continue down the line, wishing that he could take comfort in Carter's ill-comforting words but he could do no such thing; it wasn't the fact that he knew that Carter would say someday, they all would. He just hoped it wasn't someday soon.
* * *
Alex had just laid down his rose when he was aware of someone standing beside him. When he turned, he was relieved to see that it was no one other then his friend Tod, whom he hadn't spoken to since the night of the accident. Tod dropped his rose as well, straighting again and turning to look at his friend, who gave him a stretched silence.
"Tod, don't take this the wrong way, but...I've missed you lately." Alex confessed, feeling that he could speak with candor to his childhood friend.
Tod offered a weak smile as well, shrugging his shoulders slightly as he sighed. "Yeah, I've missed you too man. But, my dad, you know, he doesn't understand. But, you know when some time has passed, we'll do something together, maybe go on a road trip to the city, watch a Yank's game." He offered, attempting to let Alex know that he didn't blame him for what had happened to the plane and his brother. Not anymore.
Alex was relieved that his friend was offering to make amends first, for he didn't know how he could go about doing such a thing. "Yeah, okay, we'll do that man." He agreed, his smile much more genuine this time.
Tod nodded once before saying, "I'd better go, Miss Lewton showed me this thing that they're going to let me read. It says what I'm feeling." The two friends shared a brotherly hugged before Tod wandered off to find his parents and Miss Lewton, who was going to introduce him and his connection to the deceased before he spoke whatever speech he had been given.
Alex turned to go but was stopped when he ran into Clear, who quickly thrust her white rose into his hands, as though she had to act before she changed her mind. "Because you I'm still alive. Thank you." Alex took the rose, bewildered, wanting to say something to the brunette what she was gone before he could even open his mouth.
He stared down at the white rose in his hand, staring after Clear with a confused look upon his face. So far, she had been the only one to say thank-you for the strange actions he had preformed.
* * *
"We say that the hour of death cannot be forecast." Tod began, pausing and clearing his throat nervously, staring down at the gaggle of people who were seated before the platform he now stood upon. "But, but when we say this we imagine that the hour is placed in an obscure and distance future; it never occurs to us that it has any connection with the day all ready begun. Or that death could come this very day, this day which is so certain and has every hour filled in advance."
Tod paused, clearing his throat once more and letting his gaze drift toward the overcast day. He couldn't help but think about his brother, who had teased and mocked, but surely loved him.
TOD: "The rage in my eyes could have compared to the eye of the sun. Then rain took its course through the hands of the sun. The world is at war leaving hope behind.
"So, is this the end for us my friend? The saints in the sky are there to remind us of man and his plight. When two worlds collide, one steals a life like a thief in the night. So look to the sky, He holds the keys for your life and mine.
"So, is this the end for us my friend? Well, as the wind rides, as the day breaks for dawn and as the moon hides the sun. No more sorrow, oh those crying days are gone. No more sorrow, now its gone.
"Now it's gone. So, is this the end for us my friend?"
Even though he was the survivor of a horrible accident and everyone said that he should feel lucky...he didn't. He felt guilty, and, strangely afraid. Afraid that the end was near, after all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, I know this wasn't the best song but I wanted to put a song in there cause it is, after all, a musical. And I don't want to repeat the movie word for word, because we've all already seen it. So, anyway, please review!