In Silence

His eyes started humming songs to the moonless skies. I saw a fragment of his soul buried underneath that tombstone. I saw the weight of a graveyard he carried all this time. I understood why he kept his distance with everyone. I understood where all this immense sorrow was coming from. Maybe, he wasn’t that scary after all.

“You left this yesterday in the store.” I approached with caution, kept a good distance and handed over a leather journal I’ve been keeping for two days.

“It took you so long to return it.” His inexpressive eyes bored into mine. “Did you read it?”

“No.” I lied.

“Really, Yllia?” He glowered at me. My knees began to tremble. “What took you so long to return it?”

“I’ve read everything. I’m really, really sorry. Please don’t hurt me. I’ll do whatever you say.” I confessed — head down, eyes closed, wobbly voice. How did he even know my name?

“I’m gonna have to think about what to do with you then.” My knees ceased shaking. I caught a glimpse of him striding towards the graveyard gates. I was relieved.

I recalled the last lines in his journal:

“Tajh, you bastard. Show up in my dreams and hand me a map to wherever you are right now. I want to see you again so I could punch you in the face for dying so early. I want to see you again so I could embrace you for the last time. You made life easier — from that terrible orphanage until we made it out in the real world. You were the only friend I had. Now, I’m alone again. What do I do?”

Maybe, I could be his friend. I figured I could try my luck the next day.