The End Of Waiting - The Valentine Series

The first chapter of The Valentine series. Felix is confronted with the passing of someone dear, his struggle has only just begun.

Chapter 1

My fingers fondle the satin sheets gently, I dare not move any further, for now this shall suffice. I can feel it though, the mid summer sun licking into my room through those fine curtains suspended on that grotesque cream wall. The colour sickens me, so plain and numb, the wall cream walls that I have witnessed since childhood. The emptiness in the walls only reflect that hollow feeling I feel within my heart, I place my hand on my chest to feel its pace beating faster and faster. Removing my entwined fingers from the satin I raise slowly, pulling my body up, still weak, I find myself slumped sitting on my knees. The room hasn't changed since last time I felt this way, I remember it exactly, so much so I don't even need to open my eyes. The bed large enough for three people my size with its red satin sheets to its left is a small self with a clock on it, it laminates the room while dark and I often find myself lost in those black ticking hands, time it seems has no place with them. The end of my bed with enough room for one man in between  to stand is the door and to is left a set pine drawers. Suspended above them is the only thing that offers me comfort. My feet find ground, I keep my eyes closed afraid of brightness the sun sneaks into my room, the soft gentle carpet comforts me and reassures me that they have found a foot old. Raising off the bed I leave the comfort of the satin causing my skin to quiver, taking the few steps to the draws I begin to open my eyes. Look back at me a young man with a pair of pure blue eyes and blonde hair that in its current state would be no more presentable then a lions mane. Although I hear at Madsbury that has become seemingly popular. My voice is croaky from the night of rest but I allow myself a quick "Hello" my reflection of course it is speechless and the act itself suddenly feels pointless. Lifting my hand I allow myself to pluck off a picture that has been stuck to the mirror, I can see the image clear in my head, like it was yesterday. But it wasn't, far from that in fact, so I stare blankly at the photo in my hands. My mother as fresh as the morning dew that settles comfortably on a daisy, her large brown eyes with deep chestnut hair drifting slightly in the wind. My brother climbing the back of her chair smiles playfully and full of pure. He looks as if he was seven at that point, With the same fine blonde hair and blue eyes that I now find myself staring at the other person in the picture. My father, he does not smile, nor does he frown. He just stares blankly into my eyes, I hesitate and begin to tremor. In his hands I sit, the age of four, excitement plastered from one side to the next, not noticing the shadow behind me, the hole. Not once back then did I think that would be the last time I would see him, not for an instant.

The feeling of remorse hangs heavy in the air around me, I can feel myself getting more and more distraught every time I think of him. The man who was never there. My hands slide along the smooth railing of the staircase that stretches into the room below. The house seems gloomy, the curtains drawn closed. The warm sunlight I felt only moments before is replace by a cold chill, a lack of life resides in the residence. Sun flowers that once sprang to the world with life have been left to their demise, left to descend to the underworld. I shrug this off, perhaps this is the sign of my mothers life fading as well, the flowers she no longer cares about. Could it be the extent of her giving up? Leaving all to die around her? It seems that, it has seemed that way for over a year now. She gave up waiting for him to return, leaving my brother and I to fend for ourselves as we struggled. She had given up her life, but we hadn't given up ours, no, my brother hadn't given up ours. He removed himself from the academy to work full time. He provided for our family. A few months ago I found some flowers in the field near our home, I took them instantly to her. At the time I didn't know they were weeds but her face lightened at the sight of something fresh, a new beginning perhaps. In no time flowers became her full time job, the more flowers we gave her, the more colour returned to her face. The day I bought home the sunflowers was the day we learned. None the less she cared for them, for a day or two all seemed OK, but this morning is different, this morning we all have to face the truth. And now the flowers wither, and soon so will my mother. A sound behind me catches my attention, the silent attempt of a step? I turn around with hesitation. Standing before me with a almost frightened look on his face is my brother, my chest tightens as I see his grin, the same grin I've seen before, the grin that says 'Chin up, the ground isn't as nice as the sky!' He looks at me, I subconsciously lift my chin pulling my head up and look at him. He, like me, have our fathers eyes, that ocean blue that you only see in dream's, high cheek bones bring out the more elegant features in his face. It's no wonder why the girls at my school still talk about him, the broad shoulders and sturdy stature that I hear them rave about is now the only thing between me and the outside world. The door he stands in front of is open forcing a wonderful and sensitive breeze which make my fingers tingle.
"Heya Pip!" He rubs my hair and messing it up. I push my fringe out of my eyes and neaten it up again. Unlike me his hair is a fine red like colour, the first in our family to have red, mother said that when he was younger he was naughty so gods gave him red hair to show the world he is dangerous, we would laugh as he would be blush and hide it under a hat. He continues to grin.
"Hey," I force myself to say, I can see outside the black chairs being set up, he notices me starring at action outside, I hesitate "They almost seem done" He smiles, this time its empty, absent of meaning and feeling, fake.Fixing up my bow-tie he whispers in my ear
"Never give in to weakness. Leave those feelings behind and face the challenge ahead" I respond with a simple nod. I head off in the direction furthest from the door, the event outside. Behind me I hear him call out, but I do not catch what he says, I shrug it off thinking it unimportant if he does not follow.

I stand before a crowd, my face tense and without emotion. You do not show emotion at things like this. I look into the sea of people, some I have never seen before, one or two who I vaguely know, but one, one man stands out from the rest. While we are dressed in black he wears a white suit. His fine hair, white as snow dangles in wisp's over his ears. The man has attempted at suppressing a small grin as I look upon him, this act itself causes me to tremble. Who would smile at a time like this? How could they. I force myself to turn my attention away from him to the voice beside me. My brother stands tall, his shoulders drawn back, and head held high. Where my mother and I buckle under pressure, he rises, taking on the stance that not many can do. His voice is calm, hearing it almost makes me feel more comfortable - even in front of this wave of people - I listen to every word he has carefully chosen.

"My Father was a great many things. Father, friend, brother, neighbour and most of all a hero. Not just among his family but the pride that this town was built on. The hopes of the children, the wisdom of our women and the courage of our men. He was a leader among this town, a champion for this land, a saviour for our people. And for that," My brother pauses, I do not know if this is for a dramatic affect or if he is in fact having trouble conjure the next few words, his hand tightens on my shoulder.
He continues, "He will be dearly missed. Missed by all, missed mostly by he beloved, children and siblings. But he has passed," The crowd moves around uncomfortable, they didn't expect my brother, Arrow, would be so blunt about it. He raises, his posture stands taller then before, he waits until the commotion has stopped, "He has passed, gone and to fade into the past. I will not let his death hinder this family, nor should it affect any of you. This man, this hero has been gone for 14 years! Let him remain a memory, let him fade into our history books, while we aim forward, while we climb to the heavens and show him that the courage he gave our men! The wisdom our women! and hopes of our children! Will not be wasted! Thank you for all coming and showing your respects. Rest in peace Kayne." My brother grins, a odd act at a funreal but then again my brother speech was far from sympathetic "And I'll smell ya later Pa!"
With Arrow finishing I am almost stunned, my mother has turned as pale as those sickly cream walls, the crowd stirs. The audience remains hesitant, unsure weather to turn their noses up at Arrow, distance themselves from him, leave him to live alone. You can see it in their eyes, they think of him as a monster, a loony. But Arrow does not care, he is the only one who could of said such things with out guilt. The man was nothing to him, so why would his death truly bother him. Arrow was the one to inspire though, his words hang in my mind, but my eyes and heart rate shift, they dart from person to person to see who will be the first to revolt against my brother. My eyes meet the man in white, and for a moment everything stops. His grin has grown, he no longer hides it. Stretching from one side to the next the maniacal smile sears my heart, this was not the reaction I expected. The man's hand is now raised and slapping hard against the other, he is clapping! Why is he clapping! What? What is this madness! Who is this man! coming into view behind him, walking up the hill is two other men, dressed in navy blue they too clap. Could they have been listening in. Fear strikes me, and I begin to panic, my breath catches every time I breath in and a picture of worry is explicitly shown on my face, Arrow pulls me closer to him but I remain slightly behind him. Who was this man?
"Felix," The man's hand gestures to me. "Shall we go inside?"

Author's Note

Hello :) This is the first chapter, I'm just trying something new. Seeing if a can effectively write a novel to expand more writing rather then only scripts. :) Please tell me any grammatically incorrect errors or points I should correct so I can simply edit the writing. If it is liked I will continue to write more. The idea behind it will be a pirate spacey thing. ;P Thank you for your time! :D

Reviews

[MissEpic2902]

If i may suggest something I would, even though the same person might be talking, Make a new paragraph every time someone speaks, but all in all I loved the imagery you created in this piece of no doubt amazing picture (metaphorically speaking of course) I loved it and will be excited to hear more!!!!

[Panda]

Hey thanks! I will get onto correcting that now! It'll make a lot more sense of I do that for sure!! Thank you for you constructive review :) And I'm glad you liked it ^.^ hopefully there will be more to come

[Panda]

I am considering turning this into a script :P I think I do better with them ^.^

[MissEpic2902]

I'm glad you like my advice :) and i think you should make this into a script but still keep this piece the way it is and see what your fans say about it!!