Until We Meet Again

It took the scattering of rose petals onto Xavius’s coffin as it sunk into the ground for Lisa to break down. It was in those final moments, that last goodbye and the finality of it to make everyone crumble. Lisa’s cries felt like getting stabbed over and over again. Dante was the one to move toward her, but I sidestepped him and placed my arms around Lisa. It was my fault. It was my responsibility. And I made a promise to Xavius. I sure as fuck had every intention to do anything and everything in my power to keep it. Dante gave me a knowing look, but didn’t voice his opinion and quietly stepped back to Azzy’s side. Lisa’s legs gave in beneath her, and it took my strength to keep her on her feet. Instead of fighting me away, as I expected, she did the opposite and rested her head against me. A certain quietness had fallen over the cemetery. It wasn’t your basic silence. It moved around us, engulfing us in a sense of hollowness. Of loss and sorrow. It was the kind of quietness that crep