Word Count: 584

“I’m on my own, now. Don’t worry, it was my own choice,” Ilian said softly as he sat cross legged in front of the grave marker that bared his brother’s name. He could not yet afford to purchase a proper headstone, but he was saving up for it. One day he would be able to mark the place where his brother was laid to rest with something more worthy of him than a tiny stone.

“I was able to work out a deal with the landlady to let me keep the place we got together. She knows I’m on my own, so the rent isn’t as expensive. But that’s okay. I have my own job, too. You know that burger place down the street we used to walk past? The one with the weird picture of the old man that looked like Santa? Yeah. It’s not much, but it’s a job, right? And don’t worry, I’m still going to high school and playing piano. I have a competition coming up. I’ll probably not do too well because I’ve been so busy. Lovely’s been letting me use his piano to practice at least. I have the keyboard, of course! But you know it’s not the same as playing an actual piano,” he went on, feeling the loneliness seep out of him for the time being. It wasn’t so bad when he was speaking to his brother, even if he knew he couldn’t hear him.

He liked to think that maybe, just maybe, he was listening from the other side.

“After you died… I joined the Negaverse… I hope you’re not too upset with me. I know revenge isn’t going to bring you back but… I have nothing else to do with my life. Yeah, piano, but… what good is that going to do? Jericho is still around, I guess, but he has his own family. Lovely’s… he’s been helping to keep me out of too much trouble. He seems to think I’m going to end up getting myself killed if I’m not careful. Oh… yeah, Lovely and Jericho joined with me. The Negaverse, I mean. I know it’s dangerous, but…”

Ilian paused as he played with a blade of grass that had been missed by the mowers. Was he ashamed of what he did with the Negaverse? Partially. Part of him felt like he knew he was being brainwashed, and yet… he couldn’t back away. “I’m going to be a Captain soon, just like you were. I haven’t been told I’m getting the promotion yet, but I can feel it. I’m so close… I know they won’t be able to deny me that power much longer.”

Everything that he did was to gain enough power to protect… who…? Jericho and Lovely were the only two people who seemed to care if he lived or died. He was the reason they joined, and the reason he was fighting so hard to grow in strength. Sure, he got his butt kicked more often than not, but one day, he would be able to repay them for everything they’ve done.

And one day he would be able to meet Sorin again without shame or regret.

He stood then and brushed off his pants, “I should get to work, but I’ll see you again soon. Thank you… and I’m sorry.” Ilian knew he was still growing, still learning, still making mistakes, but he hoped he would one day become the man he knew his brother wanted him to become.