today on sorrowful terms," He said with a glaze in his eye.
Unlike our eyes, we latched onto each word as he spoke, it carried us along like an old train chugging away at rusted tracks. My eyes traced each casket that lay before us, the first in particular gravitated my attention. It wasn't any bigger than a coffee table, I felt as if I could cradle it in my arms with ease. I really wanted to.
"Lest, we must not forget, this is also a day of joy!" His voice sparked anew, a fire burning within had ignited breathing fire into his patrons, it warmed our hearts from the brisk wind. "These children may have left us early, but they continue on their journey on a different plane." He said in an almost lectured tone, the pastor stood straight and continued, "We are best to remember, that we are soon to follow."
Continuing his prayer, the pastor stood with his neatly combed red beard brushing with the howling wind pushing pass like a steaming kettle. His Irish accent became more apparent with each word. He donned long black robes that were as dark as night, and a white shirt that was as bright as day on a perfect Sunday afternoon. The caskets were each etched with their respective family crests. On a day where the clouds wrapped the skies to every end, the polished wood had a shine to it, courtesy of the Church.
The crowd was mostly mute, sans the sniffles and coughs that the weather had brought upon us. I couldn't help but stare blankly at the red roses that were tied down onto each casket, flickering with the wind.
Could I have done more? Is this my fault? It was my brothers' doing...
Jinn was beside me, but I couldn't look at him, I didn't want to. I was scared that if I did, I would only see a look of disappointment staring back at me. Sonia was a few seats back as well and I could feel her eyes burning a hole in my back.
Why did I come to this fucking funeral, I want to fucking leave.
I gripped the knob of my umbrella so tightly my hand started to ache. Finally, I gave in, I dropped my umbrella down. Starring into the heavens, past the tree shrouding us from most of the rain, the leaves danced with the wind, moving in a perfect rhythm. A single droplet of rain fell in-between the cracks, drifting down towards me. In a brief moment, I could see the reflection of everyone in the bubble right before it landed on my forehead.
"Don't fret Balan... You tried your best, it wasn't your fault." Jinn said without looking at me, his head stayed straight as if he couldn't peel his eyes from his target. "Remember I wouldn't be here without what you had done for me, I know you tried just as hard to save them."
His words were like a dozen blades tossed into the air and all miraculously find its way into my chest. I could barely breathe from how my chest had tightened.
Chapter One
Ten Years Ago
Jinn
Standing atop a mound of dirt outside the city of Alexandria, I find myself on the perimeter of a newly found excavation site at the heart of Abu Mina. Rumor says it is a monastery of a wealthy Church member from the past. This, of course, attracted the attention of the Church, which in turn surrounded the site with their crusader knights. Truthfully, I don't know what significance of the grave they dug up holds, and quite frankly, I don't give a shit. I'm not here to stake a claim and have my name remembered in history for a newfound piece of our past. I only worry about filling my stomach tomorrow, and I bet this well guarded place has something that I can borrow to get the job done.
Today was drier than usual, the sun simply shat out its heat upon the desert lands of Egypt without a care. I could feel the heat stinging my skin under my white fleece shirt, which was loosely fitted because I like to let the wind hug my body. My brown khakis blended nicely with the ruins of the site, dirt and sand filling a thin lining in my lungs. Even though I
Unlike our eyes, we latched onto each word as he spoke, it carried us along like an old train chugging away at rusted tracks. My eyes traced each casket that lay before us, the first in particular gravitated my attention. It wasn't any bigger than a coffee table, I felt as if I could cradle it in my arms with ease. I really wanted to.
"Lest, we must not forget, this is also a day of joy!" His voice sparked anew, a fire burning within had ignited breathing fire into his patrons, it warmed our hearts from the brisk wind. "These children may have left us early, but they continue on their journey on a different plane." He said in an almost lectured tone, the pastor stood straight and continued, "We are best to remember, that we are soon to follow."
Continuing his prayer, the pastor stood with his neatly combed red beard brushing with the howling wind pushing pass like a steaming kettle. His Irish accent became more apparent with each word. He donned long black robes that were as dark as night, and a white shirt that was as bright as day on a perfect Sunday afternoon. The caskets were each etched with their respective family crests. On a day where the clouds wrapped the skies to every end, the polished wood had a shine to it, courtesy of the Church.
The crowd was mostly mute, sans the sniffles and coughs that the weather had brought upon us. I couldn't help but stare blankly at the red roses that were tied down onto each casket, flickering with the wind.
Could I have done more? Is this my fault? It was my brothers' doing...
Jinn was beside me, but I couldn't look at him, I didn't want to. I was scared that if I did, I would only see a look of disappointment staring back at me. Sonia was a few seats back as well and I could feel her eyes burning a hole in my back.
Why did I come to this fucking funeral, I want to fucking leave.
I gripped the knob of my umbrella so tightly my hand started to ache. Finally, I gave in, I dropped my umbrella down. Starring into the heavens, past the tree shrouding us from most of the rain, the leaves danced with the wind, moving in a perfect rhythm. A single droplet of rain fell in-between the cracks, drifting down towards me. In a brief moment, I could see the reflection of everyone in the bubble right before it landed on my forehead.
"Don't fret Balan... You tried your best, it wasn't your fault." Jinn said without looking at me, his head stayed straight as if he couldn't peel his eyes from his target. "Remember I wouldn't be here without what you had done for me, I know you tried just as hard to save them."
His words were like a dozen blades tossed into the air and all miraculously find its way into my chest. I could barely breathe from how my chest had tightened.
Chapter One
Ten Years Ago
Jinn
Standing atop a mound of dirt outside the city of Alexandria, I find myself on the perimeter of a newly found excavation site at the heart of Abu Mina. Rumor says it is a monastery of a wealthy Church member from the past. This, of course, attracted the attention of the Church, which in turn surrounded the site with their crusader knights. Truthfully, I don't know what significance of the grave they dug up holds, and quite frankly, I don't give a shit. I'm not here to stake a claim and have my name remembered in history for a newfound piece of our past. I only worry about filling my stomach tomorrow, and I bet this well guarded place has something that I can borrow to get the job done.
Today was drier than usual, the sun simply shat out its heat upon the desert lands of Egypt without a care. I could feel the heat stinging my skin under my white fleece shirt, which was loosely fitted because I like to let the wind hug my body. My brown khakis blended nicely with the ruins of the site, dirt and sand filling a thin lining in my lungs. Even though I
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