Author's note ~ Hope you enjoy!
Tonight it was the only thing she had left to give, so she gave it to the one who needed it the most.
And in the giving, took a little comfort.
Alby woke early and alone, the bed cold and empty beside him, the house deserted. Even without opening his eyes he could tell that he tell that he was alone; the silence was too complete, too heavy for there to be anyone else in the room. He kept his eyes closed and snuggled in a little, delaying the moment when he'd have to get up face the day for as long as he could. He ran through last night in his head, focusing on the little details and trying to commit everything to memory, not wanting to forget a moment of it. He turned sluggishly, intending to roll onto his stomach and bury his head under the pillow that still smelled like her when his hand brushed up against something beside him. Cracking his eyelids a fraction, he focused on the items sitting beside him on the bed.
A roll of leather and a small, rough drawstring bag.
Picking up the bag, he immediately felt the distinctive shapes of the many small pieces it contained, the carved wooden pieces rattling as he shook the bag. He understood the implications in a heartbeat, and was filled with a bittersweet gratitude.
Althea had left him her chess set.
He fumbled the bag open, upending it and dumping the figures out in a pile on the bed. Supporting himself on his elbows, he rooted around until he found the specific one he sought - the black queen.
Althea always played the black.
He ran a thumb repetitively over the smooth curves of the figure, mentally saying the rules of the game, over and over in his head until he was certain that he'd be able to recite them off by heart.
Scooting over until he sat at the edge of the bed, he retrieved his knife from the little table where he'd left it the night before and, his brows furrowed in deep concentration, carefully carved a small A into the bottom of the black queen. He blew the fine buildup of dust away, staring down at the scratchy letter now permanently etched into the dark lips curved into a small smile.
He'd never see her again, that was a fact. It was hard to accept, and painful, but he knew it to be true.
And yet now some small part of her would always be right there, beside him, his partner in every game he played. His assassin and guard, his right hand, his strength.
His queen.
Adrian could have done without starting his day at dawn but, all things considered, there were worse ways to spend his morning than hanging out at the cook hut. Lee and Dave openly welcomed his company; Frypan merely grunted in greeting before pointing imperiously towards a small mountain of onions and potatoes that needed to be peeled in preparation for that night's feast. Adrian applied himself to the task without complaint, chatting easily with the other two preps as they all worked, even managing to pull a barking laugh out of Frypan a time or two. When breakfast was well at hand, he helped the head cook to cube up the meat and get it marinating before bidding them farewell and taking his leave.
He sat with his girls for the meal and fully enjoyed their company, and their excitement over the impending festivities.
He worked with the track hoes after breakfast, making the time to say a word or two to every glader he'd interacted with during the three months of his stay .
He shared lunch with the builders, bickering over techniques and arguing over hypothetical builds and the potential problems that they might encounter.
After a long, heated and thoroughly amusing debate over wood versus stone versus concrete for building, Adrian slipped away and headed for the swimming hole, quickly skinning off his clothes and diving into the cold clear water. He washed, he swam up and down the short stretch, he held his breath and ducked under the surface to float weightlessly in the pale blue light. He pulled himself up on the same stone he'd sunned himself on during his first swim and sat just as he had, eyes closed to the warmth of the sun, remembering the fun and frivolity of goofing around in the water with the irritated blonde.
Dusk found him sitting on the bank of the small waterway, dried and clothed, watching the water turn indigo in the fading light. He could distantly hear the tinny ping-ping-ping of Frypan beating a large metal spoon against an empty pot – the universal sound for dinner time. He sighed heavily, actively debating just staying where he was and enjoying every last drop of alone time he could get. Accepting that it would be selfish to do so he relented, heaving himself up and making his way to the bonfire.
The last to arrive at the gathering, Adrian slipped in unnoticed among the heartily feasting and laughing gladers. He filled a plate without much enthusiasm, eating generously despite his lack of appetite and watched the boys bantering and joking, their gleeful energy infectious. He wanted to saturate himself in it, lose himself in the exuberance of the others, just for the night. Sliding into a rambunctious knot of sloppers and builders he steeped himself in the experience, pleased to see the first part of the evening was moving along without a hitch.
Alby stepped in front of the gathered boys with a bundle of rough wooden sticks that looked suspiciously like primitive spears under his arm. Instead of making his usual rousing speech he pointed to each keeper in turn, inviting them forward to stand with him and handing each boy one of the wooden poles. He also waved a confused Newt forward, bringing the runner to stand directly on his right side. An expectant hush fell as the assembled leaders stood united and faced the waiting crowd.
"We are stronger now, in better shape now than we've ever been before. With all the advances and improvements done lately, I feel like it's a good time to let you guys know that I'm appointing a second in command. After all, I can only be in three places at one time."
A chuckle rippled through the crowd.
"A leader, or a second, needs to be reliable; someone you already know and trust. Someone who's earned your respect, and mine."
Jeff had sidled up beside Adrian at some point before Alby started talking and elbowed the man in the ribs now, wiggling his eyebrows excitedly when Adrian glanced over at him.
"He's talking about you!" Jeff hissed in a happy stage whisper. Adrian bit back a sound that was part laugh, part frustrated groan.
"Way off base, Jeff. You're barking up the wrong tree with that idea."
"Just watch!" Jeff insisted, a glint of hero worship shining in his eyes as he looked at his mentor.
"Someone who holds us together." Alby continued. "And luckily enough, the shank who best fits that bill just shucked himself up good and proper, so he's got nothin' but free time to give me a hand. I name Newt, former runner, as my second." Alby said definitively, to the instant murmurs of approval from the other boys.
"If you can't find me, go to him. If I'm away, or out sick, or tied up with something else, he's in charge. Listen to him as you do to me."
Newt stood stunned, propped up on his crutches, his jaw on the ground and his face pale. As the murmur died to an eager silence Alby struck a match, the sound hauntingly loud in the quiet night air. He lit a long thing twig, the sudden orange flare throwing a devilish light over the faces of the leader, the second in command, and the waiting keepers.
"Enough of this mushy klunk; let's get this party started. Spears forward!" He called, walking along the loose line of keepers and setting the tip of each pole aflame, until all held a brightly burning spear in front of them.
"Hold 'em high!" Alby demanded and the keepers instantly obeyed, the collective flames almost too bright to look at.
Alby slowly pivoted until he faced the cold, unlit hearth, the others mirroring his moves like some kind of oddly thrilling dance, choreographed to heighten the suspense. With a wide, elated grin that only his keepers could see, his defiant voice rang out into the night..
"Light 'im up!"
Going on instinct they simultaneously threw their spears into the childish wooden sculpture, torching the figure instantly and illuminating the rest of the area with a wash of pale gold light. The drummers, waiting unseen in the darkness behind the fireplace, recognized the cue and started hammering out a fast tribal beat as the effigy went up in flames, the symbolic sacrifice popping and hissing and adding to the primordial feel to the music. The waiting boys whooped and cheered, jumping forward to stomp and jump and dance.
Adrian stayed where he was, watching the simple ceremony, his face full of pride and respect. The young leader had done a magnificent job of pulling the others together, bringing in the keepers without excluding the laymen, and publicly designating Newt as the leader they all knew he already was. Alby had done well.
He made his way over to the side of the area, by the food tables, watching as Newt hobbled over with surprising speed. The boy appeared to have mastered the use of the cumbersome aides and was getting around very well on his own now.
"Some shindig." Adrian said casually, gesturing towards the rowdy boys with his head.
"Yeah." Newt agreed, puffing only a little. "Too bad I can't dance yet, I'd leave all these buggers in the dust."
Adrian just laughed at the mental image.
"I bet you would, kid. Or maybe I should call you Mr-Second-In-Command now?"
Newt winced at the congratulatory words.
"Yeah, well, I've always known Alby was a bit off his rocker. No one in their right bloody mind would put me in charge of anything!"
"You're selling yourself short, kid." Adrian said seriously, pulling out a cigarette from his last pack, one he'd hoarded specifically for this night. He lit it and inhaled deeply, savoring it. "You're a hell of a lot more important around here than you may think."
Newt just scoffed at that and Adrian wisely dropped the subject, unwilling to kindle fresh tension between them over something so trivial. As they watched the dancers the silence between them stretched on, becoming increasingly uncomfortable for the boy. Newt tried not to squirm, not knowing what to say to break it. It used to be so easy.
"Addy, what do you – "
An earth shattering, bone jarring alarm rang out, slicing through the happy atmosphere and killing it instantly. The drummers stopped playing, the dancers froze, and in the abrupt quiet every soul present could hear the unmistakable sound of the box creaking upwards. Adrian closed his eyes and inclined his head, letting out a little huff of air through his nose. The others, panicking at the unusual event, dropped everything and ran towards the center of the glade to see what was going on. The man was left standing alone in the vacant area, the fire crackling in a menacing way.
Adrian lingered, finishing his cigarette and mechanically crushing it out beneath his foot, not in any particular rush. He already had a pretty good idea as to what would happen next. When he felt he couldn't put it off any longer he trudged out to the middle of the central meadow, following the glow of many hastily grabbed torches. The gladers stood in a tight circle around the box, shoulders touching and backs rigid, as if shielding a fallen friend. He cleared his throat.
The boys closest turned when they heard him, shuffling out of the way to create a narrow path to the heart of the circle.
Alby was down in the rusted lift, holding his light up close to what looked like a set of shackles, bolted into the side of the grating, a couple of feet up from the floor. A long leather strap with a buckle on one side was threaded through the open weave of the wall in above and between the two cuffs. Alby held a partially crumpled piece of paper in his fist.
It took him three tries to pull himself out of the box.
The boys were buzzing at the bizarre arrival, tense and on edge from the unsettling event. Alby held up a hand, and every voice went silent as they all leaned in, eager to hear what was going on. Alby moved to stand in front of Adrian, his eyes solid black in the inky night. The man cocked an eyebrow and waited; and the leader held up the wrinkled paper with a lightly shaking hand. There were only two words on the page, written in fat black letters.
TIME'S UP
Adrian laughed bitterly, glancing down through the grates at the abyss below.
"They can wait until morning." Adrian stated matter-of-factually, looking up to the star spattered sky in contemplation. The leader shuffled his feet nervously, not sure how to broach the subject.
"Adrian, this…" Alby's face was ashen, his voice cracking. "This means…"
"This means," Adrian replied woodenly, "That I could really use a drink."
The other gladers hissed and whispered, most so shocked at the sudden proclamation that they couldn't fully process what they'd seen. Adrian turned and walked back to the site of the bonfire, the cheerful fire welcoming the assembly back as though nothing had happened. The man headed straight to Gally's table, barely catching the builder's eye before helping himself to a large jar of the boy's special recipe. The boys watched silently as he lifted the jar and drained it in one long, slow, deliberate series of swallows. With hardly a moment to breathe in between, he lifted and started in on a second, drinking more than half of it before turning to the waiting faces.
"Well? The show must go on. If this is the last night for me, see if you can make it a memorable one!"
The flippant dare rippled through the dumbstruck boys, snapping them out of it, and most gratefully scattered to other activities. It would take a little time for the general population to wrap their heads around the imminent change in the status quo. Only a small knot remained around the man; the leader, his newly appointed second, the two medjacks and the builder whose liquor the man was steadfastly working his way through all waited until the majority of the crowd had dispersed. When they were all but alone, everyone started talking at the same time.
"What the shuck is going on?"
"Why did the box – "
"What does it mean?"
"Why would they – "
"They can't – "
"We won't let them – "
"You can't!"
"Listen." Adrian cut in, his tone even."We'll deal with tomorrow when tomorrow gets here. As for tonight…well, I'm not gone yet. I'm standing here, aren't I? Might as well party like the world is ending. Cut loose, boys; I plan to."
No one wanted to accept that sentiment but, given the ring of authority and finality in Adrian's voice, none felt they really had the right to argue. They followed him like body guards as he worked his way through the various stations, spending time with the drummers, the dancers, the wrestlers at the ring. He challenged Gally to one last match, stretching it out to almost half an hour before solidly tromping the boy to the cheers of the spectators. The two medjacks had stepped away before the victory and were huddled in a corner of the area under the shadows of the trees, talking in low voices and gesturing angrily at each other. Alby and Newt stood by mutely, watching the man, unable to find the words to express how they felt.
After Gally courageously ate dirt and slunk off to sulk, Adrian as rightful champion turned and did something totally unexpected. He held out a hand to Alby, wiggling his fingers, his eyes glinting mischievously.
"What do you say, fearless leader? Think you can best me?"
"I don't want to fight you, Adrian."
"Come on, give me your best!"
Alby sighed, but joined the man in the ring. He waited for the call to start and stepped forward, locking his hands on to the man's shoulders and robotically struggling to push him out of the ring, but his heart wasn't in it. While they were in a half clinch, Adrian leaned forward and spoke quietly in the boy's ear.
"Is this your best? Are you ready to give up so easily? I wonder what your lady friend would say, how disappointed she'd be, if she could see you now."
Alby twisted furiously, throwing out a leg and hooking the man's, his fingers tightening enough to leave bruises. Outrage and anger on his face, he ducked and maneuvered himself out of the Adrian's hold, dropping the man face first in the sand. Adrian rolled to his back, propping himself up on his elbows and letting out a deep belly laugh as the crowd cheered. Alby grinned wryly, the light bulb belatedly going on in his head as he understood exactly what the man was doing.
He was the leader; the others would all pick up their cues from him. If he couldn't hold it together, everyone would suffer all the more. He pasted a cocky grin on his face before holding out a hand to the man.
"Ready for me to kick your ass again?" He smirked. The man took the hand and allowed Alby to pull him to his feet.
"I don't know, my poor delicate self may not survive a second defeat, but if you insist…."
They wrestled in earnest now, the mood from the surrounding boys taking a noticeable upswing. As the night grew long, Adrian downed another three jars of alcohol, taking frequent breaks to smoke from his dwindling supply of cigarettes. Newt said nothing, staying close, watching as the man drank his way through the night, laughing and joking as though tomorrow were just another day. Finally, as the crowd began to thin and make their way to their own beds, exhausted from the feasting, festivities and emotional rollar coaster of the evening, Adrian tried to make a stealthy exit.
With the better part of a gallon of liquor in his system, stealth wasn't exactly an option. Even hindered by his crutches, Newt caught up to the man easily as he shambled beyond the ring of light cast by the dying fire.
"Addy."
"Kid? Whattre you still doing here? You shllllda been in bed aaagges ago." The man slurred slightly, blinking owlishly at the boy. "Gotsta heal and all tha."
Newt watched him with dark, sober, sad eyes.
"Let me stay at your place tonight. Please."
Adrian considered the request as best he could through the alcoholic mist obscuring his brain. The small logical voice in the back of his head told him it was a bad idea, but here and now he couldn't muster the energy to say no and deal with the argument that was bound to follow.
"Yeah, ts'fine. I guess."
Newt followed the man silently through the woods, him slow on his crutches, Adrian slow as he navigated the bumpy pathways with his head swimming. When they eventually made it to the little cabin, Newt gratefully collapsed into a chair as the man washed his face at the little basin.
"Addy, I don't – "
"Not t'night, kid." Adrian said quickly, suddenly sounding much less muddled, cutting off what would surely be a tight, tense scene. "I don't want – just, not t'night, kid."
Adrian's tightly controlled, brittle voice cut Newt to the bone.
"Okay Addy." He acquiesced, his throat burning.
"Look, you'cn have the bed, I'll take the couch. I just wanna get some sleep, a'right?"
Newt hauled himself up and shuffled over to the bed obediently, everything he wished he could say and do eating a hole in his guts. He lay awake for a long time, his eyes half open in the deceptively cheerful light of the single burning candle before he finally dozed off.
A couple of hours later he snapped awake, his eyes flying open in the darkness. He listened carefully, trying to figure out what had woken him so abruptly. He was almost ready to write it off and roll over to try and go back to sleep when he heard the quiet, shuddering breath. He shimmied over to the edge of the bed, wincing as he rolled until he was sitting upright. Reaching out blindly, he felt along the nearest table until his fingers found a small box. Encouraged, he felt around again until he could grasp a small candle stub. It took a minute to navigate in the dark, but he managed to spark a match and light the wick without burning himself or setting the bed on fire.
In the sudden light, he could see Adrian sitting on the couch, his elbows on his knees, his head in his hands. His whole form trembled like a blade of grass in the breeze. Newt's stomach twisted.
"A-Addy?"
"Kid. What're you doing awake?"
Adrian's voice was hoarse and dull and fully sober, partially muffled by the hands that continued to cover his face.
"I...I just..."
"You should go back to sleep. There's hours yet before daybreak."
They were down to hours, now.
Something in Newt calcified at the thought, and he stoutly pushed his own despair away. He couldn't give in and wallow in his own grief, not now when it would leave Adrian to suffer alone.
"I just...I just need something first. Can you come here for a minute?"
Adrian took a deep breath and rose, wiping his nose and mouth with the back of his hand. He walked over to the bed and offered the boy a shaky smile, trying to put on a friendly face to mask his own pain. Newt held out a hand, and Adrian took it, ready to pull the boy up and help him outside for the bathroom break he expected. Instead, Newt tugged gently on the man's hand, urging him down on the bed.
"I don't think I can get back to sleep on my own. Can you...can you just lay here with me for a while?"
Adrian was silent for a moment before letting out an incomprehensible gurgle of frustration.
"Fine, just...fine. Scoot over."
Newt rolled back into the bed, moving to the far side as Adrian blew out the candle and flopped onto the bed next to him. They lay there, side by side in the dark, much as they had the first night Newt had spent the night. After a moment, Newt scooched a little closer.
"Can we listen to the music player?"
Newt felt the shrug and, taking it as an affirmative, he reached under the pillow and pulled out the now familiar device. He inserted one bud in his ear and poked the other at Adrian's arm in the dark until the man reached up and plugged himself in. Turning it on, they lay and listened to the quiet music for a while, the air between them heavier than a lead blanket. Newt squirmed a little, shifting closer again. Squirmed again.
Adrian sighed.
"What now, kid?"
"It's my leg - I can't get comfortable." He lied guiltlessly, inching closer until their shoulders were touching. "I think if I...do you mind?" He asked timidly, rolling to his side and moving slowly.
Adrian muttered an oath under his breath, but lifted his arm and allowed Newt to cuddle up to his side, the boy throwing his good leg over one of Adrian's and loosely wrapping his arm around the man's waist.
"Is this alright?"
"Just shut up and sleep, okay?"
The man was still shaking, the arm around Newt's back badly trembling. Newt tightened his grip and rested his head on Adrian's shoulder, his thumb gently rubbing back and forth across the man's side in a soothing gesture. In the cradle of the dark, where Newt couldn't see his face, Adrian's breath caught once, then twice, his chest rising erratically beneath the boy's arm. Newt's eyes burned, but he refused to let his own tears come – now, right now, Adrian needed him to be the strong one. As much as it hurt him, he was determined to give his friend whatever comfort he could in these last few hours. It was precious little, really, but it was all he could do.
Newt held the man as he silently cried, as he soundlessly vented his fear and despair until his body eventually slackened and he fell into a light, restless sleep. Newt stayed awake, the man in his arms, his heart bleeding as the music played a funeral dirge in his ears.
.
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
Anywhere, I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
.
And I will swallow my pride
You're the one that I love
.
And I'm saying goodbye
.
Say something, I'm giving up on you
And I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
And anywhere, I would have followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
.
Say something, I'm giving up on you
.
Say something
.
First light found them in the same position. As the dawn crept in, Newt wished with everything he had that he could freeze the moment so that they wouldn't have to face the hideousness to come. Unfortunately time stops for no man, and Adrian stirred before the sun had fully brightened the sky. He lay still for one last minute, warm and secure in the soft bed, before he gently pried the boy's extremities off of himself and rolled off the bed, his back towards Newt.
"I'm going to wash my face out back, make myself presentable."
Newt cleared his throat, but couldn't answer. As the man headed for the door, he hesitated on the threshold, speaking softly.
"Thank you."
When he returned, his carefully constructed facade of confidence was tightly back in place, his features pleasantly neutral when he went over and stood in front of where Newt waited morosely, lifelessly sitting on the edge of the bed.
"We should get going, get this done. There's no point in putting it off. But...one last thing, before we go. I figure I should probably give this to you here, when we don't have an audience."
He handed the boy a cloth wrapped package that he'd taken off of a shelf, a tiny sad smile on his face when the boy looked up at him. Newt opened the parcel, staring at it wordlessly.
It was a small rectangle of wood with curved edges, half the length of the Newt's thumb and as thin as a twig. Carved into the surface was a stylized replica of the phoenix that rode along the man's ribs. The indentations had been blackened with dye, so the design stood out against the pale blonde wood. Turning it over, the word HOPE was inscribed vertically in clean block letters, the sentiment clear and unmistakable. A small hole had been bored through the top of the token and a leather thong had been laced through, turning the piece into a lightweight necklace. Newt closed it inside his fist, clutching it to his chest as he closed his eyes. He felt the man's hand ruffle his hair affectionately as he fought not to cry, feeling like he might shatter into a thousand pieces
"Just in case you need the occasional a reminder." Adrian said quietly.
Adrian couldn't be persuaded to join the others for one last breakfast, insisting that he had no appetite. Mostly he just wanted to get it over with, and didn't see a point in drawing it out with a tense, emotional meal. He did take the time to light a cigarette – the very last in his package – and stood in the dreamy green of the forest to enjoy it, breathing in the fresh damp air and basking in the moment of peace. Grounded, resolute, ready, he collected Newt and they headed into the woods, leaving his house empty behind them.
As they approached the center of the glade, he wasn't at all surprised to see a small gathering waiting for them in the field by the box. Both medjacks and the leader, as well as his girls and every keeper, including Gally. While he hadn't been expecting the hard headed builder to come and see him off he appreciated the gesture of solidarity, and shook the proud boy's hand in gratitude. Everyone else looked a little haggard; restless nights had obviously plagued them as well. Speaking as little as possible he hugged his girls, Clint and an openly sniffling Jeff, and gripped forearms with a scowling Frypan before turning to Newt.
Holding it together by a thread, not caring about the watching eyes, the boy reached out and pulled Adrian into a hard hug, latching on tightly. One minute stretched into two, then three before the man unsuccessfully tried to nudge the boy away.
"You have to let go, kid." He murmured. "You've got to let me go."
When Newt refused to release his grip, Adrian briefly rested a hand on the top of his blonde head one more time before breaking the embrace.
Never one for long goodbyes he immediately turned and jumped down into the box, the almost simultaneous clank of Alby's boots echoing behind him. Someone needed to secure the man in the provided restraints and it was an unspoken understanding that, as leader, it was Alby's duty to do the miserable deed.
Without preamble Adrian plopped down with his back against the metal grate of the wall, reaching up and buckling the strap around his neck himself. He placed his left wrist in the rough metal shackle, watching Alby intently as he closed and secured the lock. Before Alby could reach for the other shackle, his fingers quaking, Adrian grabbed him hard by the shoulder and forced the boy to look him in the eye.
"Remember everything you've learned. Be strong, be smart. Be patient. Take care of them. And yourself."
"I...I will." Alby promised, his voice deep and sad. Adrian released his shoulder, placing his right hand into the cuff so that Alby could lock him in place. Looking at Adrian, immobilized, vulnerable, Alby scrambled back and vaulted out of the cage, disgusted with himself.
Staring up at the small group of watching boys, seeing the leaders hard, angry face, it felt like his first glimpse of glade life all over again. He cleared his throat and spoke, the words clear and heartfelt.
"It's been a privilege. Goodbye."
The grate above him began to screech shut, shutting the man in an inescapable cage. With no time left, no words left to say, the boys silently watched as the box dropped down the shaft, quickly disappearing into the greasy blackness below.
Just like that, Adrian was gone.
After dark, with the rest of the gladers tucked up for the night, the boys who'd witnessed Adrian's departure gathered at the name wall. The man had steadfastly refused to engrave his name with the rest, claiming there was no point in a temporary guest leaving a permanent mark. The boys unanimously disagreed and now watched mournfully as Gally, having the strongest hands, diligently carved the man's name into the wall with a beat up knife and a small hammer. In the small halo of light thrown by the torches they carried, each in turn reminisced about Adrian had touched their lives.
"Remember when he gave us all haircuts? For ten minutes, it kind of felt like a normal day, like we could have been somewhere, anywhere outside of this place." Minho muttered, lacking his usual sarcastic panache.
"He taught me so much...He's...He's the only reason I know what I'm doing. He was always so...so patient with me." Jeff added in a whisper, distraught.
"He showed me a trick or two in the kitchen that I won't soon be forgettin'." Frypan grunted, a hint of sorrow in his voice.
"That first bonfire, when he sang that song, it was the coolest thing I've ever heard."
"He made me think of things in a way I'd never considered."
"He changed our lives, made us feel like we're worth something – like we're wanted." Stephan said, speaking for the tearful girls.
"He saved my life." Newt said painfully, his voice cracking on the words. Silence fell after the admission, lasting long enough that Gally completed his task and turned to offer the chisel and knife to their leader, for the final stroke. Alby took them in one hand, reaching out and laying his other flat on the freshly carved name.
"He made me a better leader. A stronger leader. He taught me....so much, in so little time..."
He pulled his hand back and solemnly gouged a line through the man's name.
"And I'll – we'll – never forget him. Goodbye, Adrian."
The small gathering dispersed, each boy heading back to his individual bunk. Life would go on, as it always did. Adrian wasn't the first one to be lost, and he wouldn't be the last. But while his presence had been fleeting, his ideas and teachings, his impact, lingered in the glade for a long, long time.
Author's note ~
The song in this chapter is Say Something by A Great Big World ft. Christina Aguilera
Whew! After a year's worth of work, this story finally draws to a close. An epilogue will go up in about a week.
See you in the next - and final - chapter!
~Ruby