Author's Note: This was such a sad scene two write. ): I cried. However, I'm pretty confident with it, I think the emotions were conveyed well…Please review, tell me what you think, if it was in character, etcetera. I love feedback and it encourages me to write more and update fast. :) I'll update when I have two reviews. ^^
Act Two, Scene One
Exterior-Campsite-Early Morning
(It is quiet at the campsite, and almost serene—dew laces the grass and undergrowth, and all have fallen asleep at some point. At this time, Irwin and Upham are the only two awake. Irwin's brething has slowed and he looks over at Upham, who has been watching him with a worried look.)
Irwin: (Softly.) I'm going to cross the border soon, Upham. (Upham watches him and his eyes widen. A look of pain immediately comes across his face.)
Upham: Don't say that, Wade, don't say that! You're going to live, I…I know you are… (His voice shakes. His eyes have begun to water.)
Irwin: Shhhh….Please don't wake the others, Upham… I know that I'm going soon, I can feel it….
Upham: (Beginning to cry) No, you can't leave, Wade, you can't leave me and Mellish and Reiben and Miller and Jackson…
Irwin: (Gently setting a hand on Upham's arm) Quiet, Timothy…Don't cry, please… don't cry….It's okay, I promise…From what Jackson's told me, the Beyond is a…peaceful place…
Upham: You can't go, Wade, you can't go! You're too young! You have a life ahead of you, a family, you---
Irwin: Hush. I'm ready to go, Timothy…
Upham: H-how…?
Irwin: (Softly. It's evident that he's growing tired and weaker.) Liver failure, probably….I…think that's what's happening to me…It's an interesting organ, the liver, it responds and heals…to most things, but being punctured….doesn't seem to go well…with it…
Upham: Please, Wade! Stop talking like this! You'll live, I know you'll live!
Irwin: Listen to me, Timothy…you have to keep going…I'll always be your friend, and when I'm up there, I promise you…I'll watch over you, to the best of my ability… (He gently reaches forward, holding Upham's hand in a loose, comforting grip for a few moments before he lets go. Upham's openly crying.)
Upham: No! Please, no…I don't want to say goodbye, Irwin! I want you to live--!
Irwin: Shh….it's time to say goodbye, Timothy…Come here… (Irwin holds Upham close for a long moment. He presses his face into Irwin's shoulder, sobbing, leaving a dark, wet mark in the fabric. With a shaking hand Irwin gently strokes his friend's hair.) Please, don't cry… (His voice quietly fades. His arm goes limp.)
Irwin: (softly) Goodbye, Timothy.
(Upham quietly looks up. Irwin's eyes are closed in a serene expression and his breathing has stopped. Upham's voice rises in a sharp wail of grief that wakes both of his comrades.)
Upham: Wade, no---!
(Richard and Mellish both get up. Seeing the situation Reiben falls against a tree, putting a hand on his forehead, the fingers bent and stiff. Mellish starts towards Upham.)
Richard: Oh, God. Oh, God. (He looks up at the sky and screams a string of profanities, swearing at everything in general, screaming, as if he were to be heard by the god of every religion, every minor deity, as if he could single-handedly tear them all to pieces. For if he could, he would.
Upham is sobbing, pressing his face into Irwin's shoulder again. Mellish sets an arm on his back.)
Mellish: He'd want you to be happy, Tim. He wouldn't want you to cry over him like this. (Upham silently looks over at him with a tear streaked face, as if he doesn't process the words. Mellish helps him up and holds him close, like a mother comforting her child, the pain of his own grief stilled to help the other…)
End scene 1, fade to black.