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Desolation Row

So Long and Good Night

Three years ago
Patrick lay back on the grass, feeling its cool touch brush against his skin. He looked up at the clear, blue sky; his mind wandering from free thought to free form. She sighed, resting her head on grass beside him, twiddling with a strand of blonde hair as she glanced over at Patrick, a smile perched sweetly upon her face. “Thank you for today, I appreciate it” she said, staring up at the sky. Patrick turned to face her, watching her eyes sparkle. “I didn’t do anything, you needed my help and I simply bought you coffee” He replied. She looked into his eyes, her heart skipped a beat. “ahh well you’ve always had a way with the ladies huh Pat” she joked, nudging him on the arm. He frowned, folding his arm as he moved away from her. She sat up, bursting into hysterics. She pulled her knees up to her chest, laughing and crying into pale coloured legs. Patrick sat up, gently pushing her. “I hate you” He moaned. They looked at each other, her laughter fading. “You know I’ll always be there for you, I mean it” He said, putting his arm around her. She put her head on her shoulder as they looked out across the park; wishing this moment would last forever.

****

Bells rang out across the town of Bishops Stortford, dark clouds filling the sky as the cold air drifted a thin fog through the air. Crowds of people lined the streets, watching the hearse crawl through the streets. The year 13 students of Birchwood High School walked slowly behind the car. Each student dressed smartly in a black suit or dress, silently carrying a red rose in their hands as they feebly tried to stop the tears from falling.

Patrick, Frank and Mikey walked side by side behind the car, almost leading their year group up to the church. Frank’s head hung low, refusing to look up tears streaming down his face. Memories of that day haunted him like an endless nightmare. How could someone do that? He often asked himself as he clawed away at his head, trying to remember what happened that night; who he was with and why would anyone want to hurt him. He sniffed, quickly wiping away the tears with the back of his hand as he felt Pete’s eyes suddenly fall on him.
Pete quickly looked away. He pushed up the dark glasses that shielded his eyes as he held on tightly to the rose, his face emotionless. Pete was never the emotional type. Even when the police broke the news to him and Patrick about Mikey’s death, he didn’t shed a tear. He never pleaded his return, never wished for it to be someone else. Instead, he silently accepted his friend’s fate, promising to save his grief until all this had passed. For now at least, he had to be the strong one.

As the hearse pulled up to the church, the bells rang out for the final time, leaving the town in a deathly silence.The boys walked inside, accepted condolences from the doormen and sat at the back of the church. Most of the Way family sat at the front, some turned, red eyed with tear stained faces, to watch boys enter the church. Others stared at the front or on the floor, trying to hide their tears. Patrick turned up the collar of his long black coat, his head hung low as the rest of the mourners arrived. He sniffed, trying to hide his tears from Pete. He didn’t want him to see him like this; god knows what he was going through without worrying about him. A hand suddenly slipped round his shoulders, startling him slightly. He turned his head to face Pete, offering him a sympathetic smile. He broke down, hiding his face in his hands.
Pete pulled him closer, wrapping his arms around him. He leaned in, suppressing the sudden urge to kiss him on the forehead. “It’ll be alright mate” He whispered, squeezing him tighter. He cared a great deal for Patrick; he would give anything just to ease the pain.

The mourners walked into the church two by two, taking their seats as they prepared to say goodbye. Weeping echoed through the church. The mourners stood as Gerard and four other men carried the coffin inside; a black box lined with gold. His lip trembled as his pale fingers held it up, eyes fixed on the alter ahead. His father stood next to him, a large bald man who stood 6’7, red eyed and wearing the same black suit and red tie as his son. He left his brother at the front of the church, saying his final goodbyes before he went and sat with his father. Frank caught his eye, offering him a watery grin. He snatched his head away as his father pushing him down into the seat; sneering at Frank.

They sat listening to the priest, talking of spiritual guidance and how much of a wonderful person Mikey was; Patrick couldn’t stand it, just sitting here was killing him. The priest called up the students of Birchwood to lay their roses on the coffin and one by one the students walked up to say their goodbyes. Some simply put down their roses while others broke into hysterics and collapsed into the arms of their parents or friends at the sight of the coffin. Frank was one of the first to say his goodbyes. “Goodnight Mikey you were always like a little brother to me” he whispered, stroking the coffin. He left his rose upon the black polished wood of the coffin, wiping his tears as he walked away. He watched Gerard staring almost emotionlessly at the floor, as he hurried himself back.

Patrick placed his rose among the others, the cold wood brushed against his skin sending shivers up his spine. “I... I’m so sorry Mikey” He whimpered, covering his mouth with his hand. He ran out of the church, running his hand through his hair as the tears fell; sea of grieving watching him. He ran outside and into the grave yard, wondering what to do with himself. He hated this, this feeling of constant helplessness. “Pull yourself together” he said angrily, grabbing his hair in his hands. The rain began to fall, soaking his suit. Pete rushed outside, pulling off his sunglasses to reveal the dark circles from under his eyes; the sleepless nights had finally taken their toll. “Pat...” He started, unsure of what to say. Patrick turned, his heart aching. It was finally just the two of them, something he had always dreamed of. He stood quietly as the rain poured down around them. “Why him Pete? He was like our baby brother... he didn’t have to die! He... he...” Pete took him in his arms, hugging him tightly as Patrick buried his head into his chest; the smell of his cologne was almost comforting. “It’ll be ok Pat, I promise you everything will be alright” He reassured, grabbing him by the shoulders and holding him at arm’s length. He looked into his friends watery eyes. For a brief second, there was a moment between then; an unspoken emotion. Pete stared at him, raising his hand to his cheek.

“Not interrupting am I” Frank asked, standing in the doorway of the church. Both boys looked at Frank, quickly moving away from each other. “I was just seeing if he’s ok” Pete said, rubbing the back of his head. Patrick blushed, sighing quietly to himself. Frank raised an eyebrow and nodded. “Are you coming back inside” He asked Patrick, digging hands into his pockets. Patrick shook his head, he couldn’t go back in there, he just couldn’t cope with it; god knows how Gerard was feeling. “I’m taking him home” Pete said, placing his sunglasses back on. The sun emerged from behind the clouds as the rain began to ease; Frank looked back at the church then at his friends. “I’m coming with you, I don’t know about you two but I really can’t go back in there” He said, his voice choking up slightly. Pete nodded, turning on his heel and walked away with his friends.

****

They sat in the coffee shop, hands wrapped around warm drinks as slouched into the old leather chairs. Three lost boys, a torn and shattered version of former selves. Patrick was trembling, his mug chattering slightly against his teeth as he drank his coffee; he quickly put it back down, praying nobody noticed. “I think we all needed this” Pete said, breaking the long silence between them. Frank nodded; he had been staring into space for a while now; something was clearly playing on his mind.

Pete sipped his tea, his mouth screwed up at its sour taste; he could never quite get it right in places like this. “Not being funny mate, but are you ok” He asked. Frank frowned. He opened his mouth to speak but quickly closed it, a worried look spread over his face; tears welling in his eyes again. “Mikey didn’t die by accident” He croaked, unable to look at his friends. Patrick looked up from his drink, flashing Frank a confused look. “We know how he died Frank he... he killed himself” He stammered, taking a deep breath to try and stop himself from crying. Pete placed a hand on his shoulder, smiling sympathetically at him. Frank shook his head. “He didn’t fucking kill himself Pat, I was there. I saw the son of a bitch string him up half dead for us to find. He wanted us to find him! He wanted us to know that he killed him” Frank said, his voice rising steadily, a crazed look flickered in his eyes. They stared at him, dumbfounded by this revelation.

“Mikey was a great kid, everyone I know loved him, who would do that to him? Who could possibly hate him enough to want to kill him” Pete asked coldly. Frank didn’t answer, taking another sip of his coffee, his mind ticking away. Mikey was a great guy, there was no denying that. He got on well with so many people.... He dropped his drink to the floor, eyes wide with fear as it smashed; all eyes suddenly fell on him. He grabbed his coat and quickly walked out of the shop, leaving a confused Pete and Patrick in their seats.

They chased him down the high street, calling out for him to come back. He didn’t respond, the panic was rising in his chest. He had to get away and fast. “Frank, for Christ sake what’s going on” Pete cried, struggling to regain his breath. Frank turned, his face full of terror. “I know who killed him” He said quietly, quickly walking away. Pete grabbed his shoulder, turning and holding him in place. “What’s going on Frank? who killed him” Pete asked, the colour draining from his cheeks. Frank sighed, shrugging him off. “Mikey’s dad used to abuse him and Gerard... I think he might be in danger” Frank said, starting off again.

Pete pulled him back, his temper growing short. “What are you saying exactly” He said, his voice sounded almost panicked.

“I’m saying, I think Gerard’s dad killed Mikey and I think... no I’m sure of it, that Gerard’s next”

Notes

Will they reach Gerard in time? Is everything really as it seems?

Thanks for the lovely comments- I really appreciate it xxx

Comments

@mindchemicals
Don't get too sad- I'm planning to write an alternate ending to this story, it's a shocker x

ThatGeekJess ThatGeekJess
4/17/14

whyyyyy nooo, no one can die, well jane sure as hell can, but not one of the guys! why would you do that to our poor little hearts!??

mindchemicals mindchemicals
4/17/14

@mindchemicals
Thanks :) x I'm glad your enjoying it x

ThatGeekJess ThatGeekJess
4/15/14

Damn that was so worth the wait!! :)

mindchemicals mindchemicals
4/15/14

@frommars
Thank you so much! :) xxx

ThatGeekJess ThatGeekJess
4/15/14