Part 99: Last Words

The day light had finally arrived. Most of the survivors spent the night by themselves. McKay managed to get his wound stitched up but that didn’t stop him from digging Brendon’s grave. He felt he owed it to him to make sure he was given a proper burial. John walked over to Mia, who stood near the ocean, holding the Jade Buddha that Brendon gave her. When the archer approached, he just looked at her. She looked at him, with red eyes, from all the crying she was doing. “John?” she whispered.

“Yes?” he said, approaching her.

“Could you . .could you help me . .put this on?” she asked, holding the necklace string around her neck.

John didn’t hesitate. He walked over and took the string around her neck. Mia pulled the hair to the side, as she felt John tying it around her neck. When he was done, he just put his hands on her shoulders. She felt of the jade symbol between her fingers. Turning around, she looked to John. “Hold me.” She whimpered.

John embraced her, resting his chin on her head. Mia cried into her chest, like she had done a few times before. The archer felt so bad for her; he knew how close she and Brendon had gotten. He gently stroked her hair as she continued to weep. “I don’t want to be strong,” she cried, “I just . .I just want to cry.”

“Then cry, Mia,” John whispered, “Cry as long as you need too.”

Mia squeezed John tighter as she started to bawl her eyes out. Seth looked at his friend, embraced with the archer. He had lost all strength to cry. His eyes were wet but he stopped crying the moment he realized his friend was gone. Brendon faced death with such bravery. Seth knew in his heart, why he stepped in front of that barrage. It was because Brendon had nothing to live for; yet he did. He gave Seth the change to get home and continue his life with Tanya. The young man gently held the sword his hands, silently vowing to his fallen friend that he would keep his promise, no matter what.

The time had come to bury him. Bernard and Cecil volunteered to carry the body toward the grave sight. Everybody else followed them. Jenny stayed with Kristy making sure she could walk easily. Martin walked with them and Natasha followed behind. Yolanda held onto Eddie’s hand, and he held his Mr. Kangaroo in the other. Marita walked with Tony, holding onto his arm. John and Mia finally stopped their embrace, and joined the others. Taylor and Mandy walked over to join McKay who was already at the grave.

Bernard and Cecil then used the blankets to lower Brendon into the grave-site. Once he was down, the old black man took another blanket and covered him with it. Cecil stood up coughing. He pulled out his cigarette from shirt pocket, his last one. Quickly lighting it up, he looked down at Brendon. “Good bye, kid,” he whispered, “I hope I have just as much guts when my time comes.”

Everyone didn’t expect Cecil to deliver such a sincere message. He obviously didn’t want to stick around for the funeral, as he slowly left the group. They stood around the grave, looking at their fallen friend. Seth stayed with Shanna, holding her hand. John held onto Mia, as she continued to cry. The silence was nearly overwhelming as they stood there. All they could hear was the crashing of the waves and the wind hitting the palm trees. “Shouldn’t somebody say something?” asked Mandy.

McKay took her hand, holding Taylor’s as well. The group continued to be silent. John wanted to say something but he felt choked up all of a sudden. Tony gently placed his hand down on Eddie’s shoulder. “I didn’t know Brendon all that well,” he spoke, “But from what I had known about him, he was a man of honor and integrity.”

Everybody looked at the blind man as he continued to speak. “Last night, we were fighting for our lives,” Tony said, “The Black Faction came and took one of our own. They took John. McKay and I knew we had to go after him but we asked for volunteers. Brendon was one of the first to step up to help. He was selfless. He was a true warrior.”

Tony sniffed away of his tears, “Last night, we didn’t fight for oil. We didn’t fight for democracy. We fought for John. Brendon knew this and he didn’t hesitate. I’ve had to bury many men. Men I considered friends, brothers and soldiers. This . . .is . .is the first.:”

Tony held onto his blindfold. Marita squeezed his arm, telling him it was okay. He raised his head back up to finish what he had to say. “As I said, I buried many men, “ he whispered, “This one? He was the most bravest.”

Everybody nodded their heads; even Bernard said Amen. Everybody stood around and waited for someone else to say something. Seth wiped his tears and then said, “He was a good man,”

Shanna held onto his hand as he talked. Seth sniffed and whispered, “I know why Brendon told us not to grieve. He told . . .he told me and Shanna and Mia why he was in so much pain. The grief he suffered in his life had darkened his heart. He told us that secret and it lifted it from his shoulders. The fact that he died, saving my life was what he wanted. He thought he lost his honor; and in that moment he regained it. I can guarantee you . . .he died happy.”

Seth looked to his Lakota friend. “Mia?”

Mia looked to Seth through her tear soaked eyes.

“Brendon told us not to grieve.” He sniffed, “I know why. He’s at peace. He’s . . .he’s gone home.”

Seth collapsed into Shanna’s arms at that moment. He was putting up a brave front but he couldn’t hold in his tears anymore. The red-head held onto her friend as he wept. The sight of him crying made Mia cry a little more. The others said their farewells and silent prayers. Tony picked up Eddie as he held onto him. The young boy didn’t cry but tears slowly came out of his eyes. As the others walked away, Mandy and Taylor stayed with McKay. He picked up his small shovel and proceeded to bury Brendon. The two young blondes decide to contribute by creating him a cross made of wood.

Seth mentioned that would be nice, as he walked away with Shanna.