Turns out I've found a better excuse for delays than shitty Wi-Fi. My old man just passed, so once again, I'm experiencing the joy of staving off depression and the truth of my own mortality. Gotta keep ya head up though, so rather than weave misery in this chapter, I'd rather send a heartfelt message. To all my readers out there struggling with their inner demons, with all my love, this chapter is for you.

Chapter 61: Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

"How ya doin', big guy?"

"Phones…what're you doin' here?"

"What do you think, ya big lug? We're here for you and Rhyme…"

"Oh, Beat! It broke our hearts when we found out about her…"

"Shiki…"

"Can we ask…how it happened?"

"She just had a heart attack while she was cookin' dinner…I guess years of smoking finally caught up with her…"

"That's rough…how's Rhyme handling things?"

"She…she hasn't stopped cryin'…"

"Neku, I'm gonna go talk to her…you stay here with Beat."

"Can do."

"…Rhyme?"

"…Shiki?"

"Are you okay? When was the last time you got any sleep?"

"Two days ago…I'm fine. Have you checked on Beat?"

"Yeah, he seems fine. Rhyme…we're all really worried about you."

"I know…I'll be fine. These things…these things happen…ngh!"

"Go ahead, Rhyme…just let all your tears out…"

"I just…don't understand. Why did this have to happen? Did we do something to deserve this?"

"I don't think that's true at all…"

"Then why?!"

"I think…I think the people that are meant to change the world are the same people that have to go through the most pain…"

"So what? I don't care about any of that! I just want my mom back!"

"…"

"I just…I just want her back…"

"I know, Rhyme…"

"You don't know! You get to keep both of your parents! You don't have a clue how Beat and I feel right now!"

"You're right…I don't. But I love you. And I love Beat. And so does Neku. So does Eri. So does your dad. You have a lot of people that are here for you that love you."

"Urg…I know. I know…but it hurts so much…how can I live knowing that I'll never see her smile again? That she's never going to make us sack lunches for school again? That she's never gonna scold Beat for being reckless and ask me to take care of him? I mean, she wasn't perfect…but she was my mom…"

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

"…what?"

"That's what you once told me, Rhyme…remember? Absence makes the heart grow fonder. We're all going to be reunited one day with the dead, and when that happens, there will be so much longing and love in our hearts that it will be a truly amazing reunion."

"What makes you think that?"

"I think we're all going to the same place. Is it the Reapers' Game? Heaven? Hell? Oblivion? Nothingness? Reincarnation? I'm not sure…but wherever it is, aren't we all going to be together regardless? It doesn't matter how you slice it; our bonds extend far beyond the physical reality we live in. That's how I was able to meet and fall for Neku in the Reapers' Game. That's how Beat was able to bring you back to life. That's how we are able to hold our friends and family dear to our hearts long after they've already left us. Our capacity for love is so high…how could we not see them again one day?"

"Yeah…"

"C'mon, Rhyme. Let's go grab the boys and get some food. Neku's treat, of course."

"…Thanks, Shiki."


Author's Note: This chapter was a little more serious than I would prefer for this series, but shit happens, and I wanted to extend a hand to anyone out there that needs help. If you need someone to talk to, I will answer any private message the instant I see it with love and compassion. If you're reading this, believe me when I say that I know what pain feels like, and I want to help you. If you would rather not talk to me, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 (800) 273-8255. You are valuable. You are needed. From one human to another, I love you all.

Crow