The sun was setting, and a chill was in the air. A cold breeze danced through Thomas's short hair, but he barely felt it. He was numb. Physically and emotionally, and it was a relief. Night soon fell and and the darkness began to envelope him. Thomas smiled, and closed his eyes, reveling in it. Yes this was as it it should be. All light, all hope reduced to nothing. This is how all the world would be in the end. Reduced to pure nothingness. Anything that came before a mere unnecessary complication delaying the inevitable.
But when Thomas opened his eyes it was not to pure darkness as he had expected, no there was a light shining before him. He blinked, and his contorted body ached. The lantern. That's right.. Quincy... his brother had left the lantern. He had left him there all alone, probably given up on him... Numbness.
You know that isn't right!, some nagging part of him cried out. Quincy is your brother and he loves you! He wouldn't have left behind the lantern if he didn't! Thomas moaned, letting the pain wash over him once again. That's right... he'd been in a daze before, but Quincy... he'd gone for help hadn't he. He'd promised to be back. Maybe... maybe things weren't so bad... if Quincy hadn't given up.
Thomas coughed as the edel branches slowly retreated from his throat. He fell forward, no longer supported by them.
The lantern
Thomas reached for it and clutched the handle. He was too weak to move, but if he could just hold onto a glimmer of hope until his brother returned...