Miles Tuck sat under the tree by the spring, tossing a rock back between his hands. Today was a difficult day for him. It was Thomas' birthday. This had been one of the happiest days of his life for 10 years, now it was a day he could barely navigate though. On these days he would come here and ponder what would have happened if he had Anne and Thomas drink. One drink and they would still be here with him. Now they had no idea the spring was the cause of their immortality when she left, but he couldn't help but think what would have happened. He had these thoughts every year. Yes if they drank they would be here with him, but would they be happy? He wished he could end this all and find out what was beyond this life. In a way he was a little jealous of Anne and Thomas for being able to move on.

"No" He thought… "I wouldn't let them drink! This is a terrible curse no one should live like this...if you could call it living."

All the Tucks went through this cycle, often wondering what would have happened if they hadn't drank from the spring. But Miles was the only one who felt really alone.

Ma and Pa had each other, and while it was difficult at times they still were able to lean on each other. They spent their 10 years apart together. His younger brother Jessie, seem perfectly happy just living in his own world most of the time, or traveling by himself. Miles was always jealous of Jessie's ability to make friends with everyone he met.

Miles had never been like that. If he had maybe things would be different?

"Miles...I brought you some lunch."

Miles was pulled from his thoughts. He knew that voice.

"I'm not really hungry Ma."

Mae Tuck sat down next to her son. Miles continued looking not looking over at his mother.

"Miles you can't keep doing this to yourself. I haven't seen you in ten years, but it feels like you slip farther back each time I see you."

Tears filled Miles' eyes

"Ma...He's...he's gone."

Mae Tuck's breath was stopped short. They had all had these thoughts about Thomas, but no one had ever said it out loud.

"Miles are you sure...did you…"

"I finally tracked him down and he got sick and died when he was 17. Anne's gone too. They caught scarlet fever ."

Mae took her son into her lap and stoked his hair like she did when he was little. Tears started to pool in her eyes too. Thomas, her grandson, the little boy who ran around, picking flowers for her, helping her with the baking. Was gone. They all knew this day would eventually come, but they hoped it would be years later.

"Ohh Miles, baby I'm so sorry! We all loved Thomas so much. But no Father should live to see his child pass."

"I wasn't there Ma! I could have done SOMETHING...I could have got him medicine, taken him to a doctor, if Anne hadn't...He might...he could...he would have…I just can't do this anymore. I want to die, I want to be with him. I can't live like this...Forever…"

Mae didn't know what to say to him. She often felt the same but she had her boys to stay strong for and Angus. She couldn't crumble. If she did they would all fall apart. There had to be some reason this curse was given to them. This is one of the few positive thoughts that woke her up in the morning and kept her going out into the day.

"I know Miles...but we have to, we have to live now for Thomas."

Miles sat up and looked out at the spring again. Nodding.

"I'll try Ma, I'll try"

He then tossed the rock into the spring and he watched as the water rippled out away from it.