40 GONE


    ARIEL’S POV


    I walked behind Mason as we both got close to the gigantic fire. Well, he got close. I was a little bit far


    from him, slowing down my pace. Yeah I knew he was a psychopath, but I had not idea he was this


    crazy.


    Getting really close to a fire huge like that? No one in his right senses would do that? But this scumbag


    right here was actually surprising me.


    And I kept on watching him inch closer to the roaring inferno. I couldn’t help but question his sanity. I


    would keep on doing that over and over.


    I mean, who willingly gets up close and personal with a fire that could roast a Christmas turkey in 3


    seconds t? It was like he had a secret death wish or something. And if he did, I would be really d.


    At least it would reduce the number of scumbags in the earth.


    Meanwhile, I continued to do my best to maintain a safe distance, like the responsible, self- preserving


    human being that I am.


    “What are you even doing?” I aksed, still walking slowly.


    “You ask too many questions,” he replied, not ncing at me.


    “This is crazy, you know. Like, are going to walk in that fire?”


    Mason turned to give me a quick look. “Maybe.”


    “This is absolutely insane. But it won’t be surprising, cause you’re insane yourself.”


    “You can shut up, and just follow me, okay.”


    “You’re like six inches away from that fire. And you want me to keep on following you. Okay, what are


    you nning to do now, huh. Perform a miracle?”


    Mason red at me, but gave the fire his attention back. He squatted, and I just crossed my arms,


    watching him.


    And you want to know what happened next? Oh boy, when that fire started crackling and growling like


    an angry beast, I swear I let out a scream that could rival a banshee! I mean, who wouldn’t? It was like


    being in the front row of a pyrotechnics concert gone wrong!


    But you know what really cracked me up? This jerk sitting in front of me. While I was busy channeling


    my inner Olympic sprinter, this guy was just chilling there,pletely unfazed. I mean, seriously, who


    stares at a raging fire like it’s thetest episode of their favorite TV show?


    I couldn’t help but admire his unshakeable calmness. It was like he had a secret pact with the mes,


    or maybe he was just auditioning for the role of the Fire Whisperer.


    Who knows? All I can say is that while I was two steps away from dialing the fire department, Mason


    was still sitting on his heels, probably contemting the meaning of life amidst the inferno.


    And at this moment, I couldn’t decide whether to call him brave orpletely bonkers. Maybe a bit of


    both. But everyone has their quirks, right? Some people collect stamps, others stare


    down fiery monsters like it’s a walk in the park.


    So there we were, me who screamed like a maniac, and Mason casually enjoying his front–row seat to


    the hottest show in town. But this needed to stop. I wasn’t going to spend the whole night staring at


    some idiot who was staring at a holocaust, like he was worshipping it or something.


    LUKE’S POV


    “What’s the problem? What terrible news have youe to give me?” I aksed my


    grandfather’s driver. His name was Peter, a middle–aged man. And I kind of loved him for his calm


    attitude.


    Perter’s gaze was fixed downwards, and his hesitation to give me a reply, had a million thoughts rolling


    in my head at the moment. I just hoped nothing bad had happened to my grandfather. Of course, the


    man was old, but I still loved him, and didn’t want to lose him yet. “Why are you being silent now? Tell


    me what the problem is?” I asked Peter, moving closer to


    him.


    And at this moment, my heart pounded in my chest as I waited for his response. His hesitant silence


    only fueled my worry, and my mind raced with a whirlwind of worst–case scenarios. What if my


    grandfather had left the earth? What if his sickness had finally prevailed over him? The uncertainty


    gnawed at me, and I struggled to keep my anxiety in check.


    Memories of my grandfather flooded my mind his gentle smile, his wise words, and the warmth of his


    embrace. Well, sometimes he was a total maniac.


    But he had always been a pir of strength for our family, and the mere thought of losing him sent


    waves of fear crashing through me. This was the realization that life was fragile and unpredictable.


    Struck me with a heavy weight right here.


    And as the seconds ticked by, I couldn’t help but rey thest conversation I had with him in my mind.


    Did I tell him how much he meant to me? Was there anything left unsaid? Regret washed over me like


    a tidal wave, intensifying my worry and fueling a deep sense of unease.


    But I needed to pull myself together. All these were just thoughts. Maybe that wasn’t the news Peter


    hade to give me.


    “Answer me now!” I yelled at Peter, tears popping up in my eyes.


    “It’s Sir Reynold. He’s… he’s… he’s dead.”


    “Say what now?” I seized Peter’s shirt. Riley held me immediately. “What did you just say?” I yelled


    again, not wanting to believe the information.


    “I’m sorry sir, but he’s no more.”


    Content bel0ngs to N?vel(D)r/a/ma.Org.


    Peter couldn’t look me in the eyes. He was also shattered. But his pain was nothingpared to mine.


    This was really intense. My grandfather, dead? No this couldn’t be. I loved that man. I didn’t want to


    lose him.


    We stood still, with tears streaming down our faces, the weight of the news hung heavy in the air, and


    had to let go of Peter.


    It felt like the world had crumbled beneath my feet, leaving me stranded in a sea of sorrow. My heart


    ached, unable toprehend the reality that my beloved grandfather was no longer


    AS GONE


    with us.


    The memories flooded my mind, each one a precious moment spent with him. From his warm smile


    that could light up a room to his gentle voice that always reassured me, his absence left a void that


    seemed impossible to fill. He had been a pir of strength, a guiding light in my life, and now that light


    had been extinguished.


    This was so painful, losing a remarkable friend, who always wanted me to be in the right path. And


    indeed I was angry at me sometimes. But he was only trying his best to prevent me from going astray.


    Peter cleaned his tears. “An hour before his death, he handed me this letter, and said I should give it to


    you.”


    Peter slowly gave me the letter. “He said you that was his wish, and he wanted you to fulfill it, even if he


    was no more.”


    Peter burst into tears again, and quickly turned his face away. Riley ced her hand on my shoulder,


    crying as well. She loved the man just the way I did.


    With my eyes still filled with tears, I carefully opened the letter.