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I stood up from the couch seeing things in a brand new light, a light that was once darkened immensely and taken away from me. I grabbed my coat of the floor and pulled it over me, my brain moving faster than the speed of light. I knew that the walk to the cemetery was going to be a little less than pleasant but I had to do it. For Ava and frankly, for me. I rushed through the door and closed it with a loud bang. The crisp air seemed to whisper "Ah, Noah, you're back. We'll get you now," viciously at me. Or maybe I was simply paranoid. I ignored the soft whispers to the best of my ability and set off. Around me white branches seemed to haunt me, looking almost like they wanted to seize me and choke me. Then I would be with Ava, I thought.
With the strong wind howling into the mystic air, the sun seemed to set slowly as I progressed closer and closer to the cemetery. My vision blurred drastically when I started running. Maybe it was because of the powerful wind whipping my face with each step or maybe it was Ava's absence taking yet another toll on me. Whichever, I was bawling, to the extent where I could taste my boogers. Yum.
I reached into my pocket and fished around for my phone; gone. I forgot it at home. My brain contradicted my feet knowing that my phone was my lifeline in any case, but my feet won and so I continued. Stumbling a little, I advanced closer and closer.
Ava's face flew into my head and stayed; her warm brown eyes, her silky black hair rushing like a charcoal waterfall down her shoulder and to her waist and her gentle heart reaching out to everyone no matter what. Sympathetic, beautiful, enchanting Ava was gone. All because of a stupid bottle. One bottle was all it took. And she was gone. That stupid driver that was still alive, he was the one that drank carelessly then ventured out on the road, not thoughtful of anyone or anything. His apologies weren't going to bring Ava back. Nothing would.
I broke out into a run, my shoe soles barley touching the icy pavement. I inched closer and closer to the cemetery. I looked up at the black gates, barley open. Inside, I spotted hundreds of tombstones all lined up perfectly in rows, flowers lying on the white snow, and pictures on the tombstones of people. People who were loved and treasured that had their souls leave their body empty. They were underground but surely not forgotten. It would be preposterous to forget Ava. 'Ava' I chanted to myself as a good lucky charm as I opened the intimidating rusty gates and stepped inside. The sun was long forgotten and I could only guess mom was on her way home, in hope of an long bath.
I walked along the small path created by mourners and tried to keep my brain focused on Ava. The creepy trees created eerie shadows that seemed to follow me with every step I took. Fear arose in my heart and for the first time, my mind seemed to doubt my 'fool proof' plan. A shiver went down my spine as I saw a shovel leaning against a tree trunk. I acknowledged the fact that it also stood near a hole dug into the ground. Newly arrivals, I thought. I shivered again and started to wonder why I was there. What was I going to do? I wasn't anywhere near determined anymore. But determined for what? The wind rustled again, making me jump.
I started to walk faster as I recognized a familiar tombstone parked near a tree. I sprinted toward it more rapidly, quickening my already fast pace. I reached for all the courage I could muster and faced the overwhelming tombstone. I stopped and let out a soft breath. There stood Ava, proud and grinning. Below it, it read, "Ava Leslie, 1993-2010. Rest in Peace." I stared at her carefree smile and felt tears at the corner of my eyes, on the brink of falling. We were siblings, twins, but most importantly, friends. I screamed into the night, holding onto the fence surrounding a large rectangle of dirt that covered up Ava, in fear my feet would give out.
I jerked away from the fence and ran to the shovel.
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