Part 244: Day 47

Mia slowly opened her eyes. The soft smell of flowers invaded her senses. The warm sun shined brightly above. The Lakota girl slowly leaned up, looking around. She wasn’t on the Island anymore. She was on a field covered in nothing but yellow daisies. She gently picked one and smelled of it’s sweet scent. As she took up, she felt the bulky feel of her father’s overcoat; her protection. Mia was happy that she was having another vision, knowing she would be seeing her grandmother again. Then an strange sight appeared out of the corner of her eye.

Someone was in the field with her.

Shanna slowly raised up from the daisies surrounding her. She looked around in confusion. She then stood up, and Mia giggled at what she was wearing. Her friend’s long red head was tied up in bun and she was dressed like a ballerina. Mia couldn’t hold her laughter, wondering why she was imagining her friend as a dancer. “Mia, what is going on?” Shanna asked.

“I don’t know but it’s funny,” Mia shrugged her shoulders.

“How . . .how did we get here?” the redhead asked, “Why aren’t we still in the caves?”

Mia then paused. Why would a dream figure of Shanna be asked her such a question? The Lakota girl noticed that the redhead’s confusion and language she was using seemed real enough to her. Mia then walked over to Shanna, who just stood near her. Abruptly, the Lakota pinched her. “OW!!” the redhead said, pulling her arm back, “What did you do that for?”

“Shanna, are you really here?” Mia asked in amazement, “Are you really in my dream?”

The red head hear Mia’s words but the comprehension was more than she was able to give. “Am I?” she asked in desperation.

“Uh . . . . . “ someone said behind her.

Both of the girls turned to the sound of the confusion and screamed at the same time when they saw Seth standing the in daisy field with them. The young man looked around and felt of his clothes. He had no shoe, nor any socks. He was wearing dark green swimming trunks and a white t-shirt with black letters on it that said, Seth Say Relax. Seth pulled down the bottom of his shirt to read the strange message. “Da Hell is this?” he asked, royally confused.

“I can’t believe this!” Mia laughed, covering her mouth, “You are both really here!”

“Really where?” Seth asked her.

“Seth, we are inside Mia’s dream.” Shanna replied for her friend.

“Come again?” the singer said, feeling he was about to throw up.

“This is the type of vision’s I had, Seth,” Mia laughed, spinning around, “You both realize you are not on the Island, don’t you? I am wearing my father’s overcoat, yet I don’t feel hot or cold. Exactly like my visions!!!”

Seth then leaned down and picked up a daisy. He smelled of it and gently pulled off one of it’s yellow buds. “But . . .this isn’t possible,” he grunted, then looked at her, “Is . .is it possible?”

“I am beginning to think the line between possible and impossible is becoming very thin for us that are on the Island.” Mia skipped through the flowers.

“But Mia . . .if you are having a vision, why are Seth and I here?” Shanna asked.

Mia paused when she smelled smoke. She turned and saw a pillar of smoke in the distance. Beyond the horizon of daisies, she could see woven parchment with three sticks poking out.

Just like a Native American Tee-Pee.

“Something tells me we will get our answers over there,” Mia pointed.

“What is that?” Seth asked dumbfounded.

“Come on,” Mia held out her hands.

Seth gently took her right hand and Shanna took her left. The young Lakota girl began to lead her friends through the field in the direction of the smoke. As they walked, the scene before them was growing more and more incredible. In the far distance, a rainbow appeared out of nowhere, followed by a flock of doves. The daisies would flow in one direction and then into another. Kittens would leap up from the fields, chasing grasshoppers, making Shanna giggle. “I am glad you are having a good time, “ Seth whispered, “Me? I am still freaking out.”

“Just go with the flow, Seth,” Mia said, with a smile.

Before Seth could answer, he heard two flutes being played and it was a bad rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. The young musician turned and stared slack jaw at the sight in the distance. Two cartoonish like penguins were dancing up and down, playing plastic toy flutes. Seth found his throat going dry as he recognized both of them. “Primo and Bentley,” he pointed.

“Who?” asked Mia.

“Primo and Bentley, “ he responded, “Two . . stuffed animal penguins I had as a kid. I can’t . . believe they are here.”

The two toys then stopped playing their bad music. They turned around, kissed their fins and slapped them on their butts toward the three friends; then quickly ran off laughing. “They’re your toys, all right,” Mia smirked, crossing her arms.

Then soft horse trots echoed behind them. Shanna turned around onto to be greeted by a small gray horse. The creature whined as it approached her. The redhead was nearly moved to tears as she then hugged the animal. “Shepard.” She wept, kissing the animal.

“Shepard?” Mia smiled.

“My pony when I was kid.” She said, stroking his soft fur, “I used to ride him, until my father sent him to a stables cause we couldn’t afford to keep him. Oh, Shepard, how I missed you.”

“If this is Mia’s dream,” the singer stood with his two friends, “Then why are aspects of mine and Shanna’s childhood appearing here?”

“Let’s keep moving,” Mia motioned, “I am certain my Granny will have the answers we need.”

The three friends continued walking. Shanna blew Shepard a kiss as the horse seemed to smile at her. They continued on through the field of daisies, brushing the flowers aside. They had finally arrived at a small clearing where a decorated Indian Tee-Pee was there, and an old woman was stoking a nearby fire. She looked up with no eyes but Mia knew she could see her. “Sunshine,” the old woman whispered.

“Granny!” Mia said, embracing her elder.

“Wow,” Seth whispered. He heard all the descriptions of Mia’s grandmother but never expected to see her for real.

“Sit, children, sit,” the old woman beckoned.

Before there was nothing to sit down on, then as they turned three perfectly carved tree trunks designed to be stools. The three friends then sat down. Granny took her large metal stick and continued to stoke the fire before her, sending small embers into the sky. “You’ve done well, Mia,” she smiled, “You have solved the puzzle.”

“You wanted to me help those poor beings in the Hatch, right, Granny?” the Lakota girl asked, “That’s why you sent me down that path.”

“Correct,” she smiled, “Only you could have had the strength to free them. No one should have suffered as they have.”
“Are their more trials I am going to face?”

“There are always more trials, honey. That is why it’s called a life. How you face them is what will define you as a person. And I know in my heart, you will be up to the challenge.”

Mia smiled at her grandmother’s compliment. Shanna and Seth were not saying a single word; they were still amazed they were even there. The elder then sighed and placed down her metal poker, and picked up a dark green bottle of Mellow Yellow, quickly finishing it. “Well, that’s it then,” she said, standing up, “Time for me to go.”

“Go where, Granny?” Mia asked.

“To join my ancestors and your father,” she said simply.

Mia’s smile then slowly became a frown. “You’re leaving . . .for good?”

“It was bound to happen, sunshine. The circle of life has closed for me. I got you through the obstacles you faced on this island and now, I can go onto my eternal rest knowing full well you will be all right.”

Mia quickly got up off her stool and ran toward her grandmother. She quickly embraced her, trying to hold back her tears. “I don’t want you to go,” she cried.

“Mia, “ her grandmother kissed her on the head, “That was the exact same thing you said at my funeral. But I was truly dead, as I am now. And you are not that little child anymore.”

“But . . .what will I do without you?” she said, looking up at her.

“You will never be alone, Mia. I wanted to make sure you had a guardian and I found the perfect replacement.”

“Guardian?” the young girl said in confusion.

Then more horse trots echoed behind the Tee-Pee. Within seconds, two full blown Lakota Indians came over the horizon, each on a horse. Mia quickly took notice that one of them was pulling a horse with no rider. She quickly deduced that her grandmother was going to be it’s rider. Her granny then embraced her once again. Mia hugged her tightly, not wanting to let her go but knew she had too. Seth wiped a tear from his eye, easily seeing the love Mia had for her grandparents. Granny then kissed her granddaughter on the cheek and whispered something in her ear. Mia’s eyes opened for a brief second, hearing what she told her.

Gently the two relatives parts and the elder turned; and got on her horse. She then looked down to Mia and spoke something to her in her native tongue. Mia responded in kind. The three riders then turned around, preparing to ride back over the horizon. “Granny, wait!” Mia called.

Her grandmother turned around to face her as the other riders continued on. Mia then pointed back to her two friends. “Granny, why are Seth and Shanna here?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” her grandmother said with a sly smile, “ I didn’t call them here.”

“Huh?” Mia replied.

Her grandmother took her small whip and struck the horse on the rear, making it trot onward toward the horizon. She turned around to face her friends and shrugged her shoulders. “What did that mean?” Seth asked, “If she didn’t bring us here, who did?”

Mia then held her hands up as a blinding light erupted behind Seth and Shanna. The two friends then turned toward the light source, unable to stare at it either. They looked and saw the light slowly dim down and take a human shape. The light was the side of a human and then began to form it’s shape into a familiar Chinese man. “Brendon?” Mia gasped.

The oriental man smiled a big smile at the sight of his friends. He wore a light blue Chinese Komono suit with no sleeves and it had a small white lotus flowers over it. The Lakota girl then laughed and ran toward him. Brendon smiled as the two friends embraced. Mia laughed with tears coming out of her eyes. She felt his familiar smell and the warmth of his skin against his silk robes. As they parted, the Asian man looked down at her, rubbing her hair. “Mia, “ he whispered, “The rock who held us together.”

Mia laughed, wiping her eyes. Brendon then moved from her and walked over to the ballerina. Shanna was in shock about seeing him. Somehow in her heart, she knew it was really him. “Shanna, “ Brendon smiled, ”With the gorgeous red hair.”

Shanna laughed and hugged him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He chuckled, kissing her on the cheek. As they broke off from each other, the Asian turned around and faced Seth. The young man was in shock, tears streaming down his face beyond his control. Brendon slowly walked forward and stood in front of him. “The truest Friend I have known,” he whispered.

Seth gulped, trying to maintain his composure. He felt his arms trembling, staring at his friend he lost. “Is . . .is this real?” he asked.

Brendon held his palm aloft. “Take my hand, brother,” he smiled, “Does it not feel real?”

Seth slowly raised his hand and grasped Brendon’s, feeling as if he was never gone. He then embraced the man who called him brother. Seth began to cry heavily in the arms of his friend, while Brendon patted him on the back. “I miss you too, Seth,” he admitted.

“How . .” Seth sniffed, “How is this possible? How can you do this magic, Brendon?”

“There are some things you shouldn’t question, Seth. Merely accept.”

Mia and Shanna walked up to them. The Lakota girl gently placed a hand on Brendon’s back. “My guardian?” she smirked.

“You don’t really think you were going to walk down that road alone, did you?” he smiled back.

“You brought us here, Brendon?” asked Seth.

“Yes. I called in a favor from someone and they allowed you to join Mia’s vision. I wanted to see all of you again. All of us, as I will always remember you.”

Brendon took Seth’s hand and then took Mia’s hand. Mia then took the redhead’s hand and she in turn, took Seth’s. The four friends stood there, forming a circle, each holding hands. “We came together on this Island and our friendship grew, “ the Asian smiled, “That bound became more than friendship and it’s strength is stronger than any metal out there.”

As they stayed together, Brendon continued saying, “Before my passing, I asked you never lose that moment, when were all embraced among our friendship. You haven’t. You have kept it close to your heart and you honor me. I will cherish all of you, for all eternity.”

“Will we every see you again?” Seth asked.

“Of course you will, my brother.” He smiled.

The four friends then came together and embraced in a group hug yet again. They held onto each other, basking the love and strength they created in such a short amount of time. As they slowly parted, Brendon smiled. “It has been a great joy to see you, “ he said, “But now, you must go.”

“I don’t want to,” Seth quickly admitted.

“You never need feel alone, Seth, “ the Asian man placed his hand on the younger man’s chest, “I will always . . .be right there.”

“Good bye, Brendon,” the singer sniffed.

Mia then gasped as Seth disappeared into a bundle of musical notes that floated toward the sky. Shanna held onto his hand, almost brought to tears again. “I love you, Brendon,” she sniffed.

“I love you too, my sister. Make peace and light shine upon you always,” he said, kissing her knuckles.

Shanna then disappeared into a burst of light which became several red and gold butterflies. Mia then turned to her tall Asian friend. He said nothing, just smiled. If he had become what her grandmother was, she knew she would see him again. “Promise me you will look after both of them.” He whispered.

“I promise.” She greatly agreed.

Brendon leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. As he did a strange light bound portal began to open behind him. Mia smiled as she watched her Oriental friend turn to walk away. He slowly stepped into the portal but paused and then turned to look around at the skylight and the horizon of flowers. The coy Asian then gave her a playful smirk. “I think I am gonna like this job,” he chuckled.

Mia giggled at his statement. Then she closed her eyes, feeling a blinding light and warmth envelope her. She knew it was time to wake up.


Mia slowly opened her eyes and her vision focused on the cave ceiling. She leaned up, leading her jean jacket fall off of her as she was using it as a blanket. The water fall continued to rush beside her as the rest of the cave was fast asleep. Mia then pulled out her pad and pen, quickly writing down what her grandmother whispered before riding off into the horizon. She knew she would have to decipher what it means but at the moment, she was enjoying a feeling washing over her. A feeling of warmth and kindness, like a great weight had been lifted from her. The Lakota girl then gasped as she saw Shanna slowly rise.

The redhead held onto her arms, tears streaming down her. Mia slowly smiled. She knew. It really happened. For one brief magical moment, they shared each other’s dreams. In the distance, Seth slowly awoke. Mia then stood up and put on her jean jacket, then motioned for Shanna for follow her. The red head wiped her tears and got up, following her friend. Without words, Seth then stood up and followed them. All three friends gently made their way through the sleeping bodies and walked outside.

Mia slowly sat down. Shanna then sat down on her right and Seth gently sat down on her left. The Lakota girl smiled at both of them, then gently put her arm around each of them; bringing them closer. Shanna smiled and sniffed, resting her head on Mia’s shoulder. Seth just smiled, letting his head touch his Lakota friend. The three friends held each other in the darkness, as the wind washed over him. Mia rocked them back and forth; basking in the warmth of a love that goes beyond friendship and was closer to family. They were no longer sad but at a special peace with themselves. They knew Brendon was no longer with them.

But they also knew he wasn’t that far away.