“A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once. It seems to me most strange that men should fear, seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come”


    -William Shakespeare-


    Tristan kept looking at the clock above his teacher who was standing at the front of his class.Hewas having trouble keeping his attention on the lesson since he had already learned all of it previously and also because he was very excited thathis parents were supposed to be home today. They had been out of town for the past week and he had been staying with his baby sitter. Although he really wished he could have been staying with his uncle instead, but he was always gone himself. He tookanother quick glance at the clock then went back to trying to concentrate on the lesson.


    He was finally able to concentrate on the lessonwhen the teacher’s phone rang.Itwas quicklyanswered after only a couple rings and the teacher who stopped her lesson said.“Hello this is Mrs. Martinez." there was a breif pause before her kind voice sounded out again. "Oh ummm ok, I’ll send him right over”She set thephone down and scanned the classroomthen called out. “Tristan, the principal would like you to go to his office please.” The normally well spoken Tristanstutteredinresponse “yuh yuh yes ma’am i i i’ll head right over there”. Hejumped out from his desk and startedto rush out the door. He glanced at Mrs. Martinez who caught his gaze and smiled to reassure him that he wasn’t in any trouble and told him to not forget his things.


    He quickly gathered his things andput them in his backpackthen rushed down the hallway to the Principal''s office. He was followed out by the loud snickers of his classmates. They all assumed he mustof been in trouble for something, since you only wentto the principals office if you were in trouble and they always delighted in seeing others getting in trouble. Especially with such an uncharacteristic response coming from the quiet kid who never got in trouble.


    Tristan couldn’t help but wonder why he was being sent to the principal''s office. He hadn’t done anything wrong and had never had to go to there before. He always tried to follow the rules, just like his parents had taught him,then smiled at the thought of them. He really missed them but was excited since they were going to be back today and were going to be there to pick him up when school ended.


    He quickly arrived atthe Principal’s officeand could see several tall figures talking to each other through the shadowed glass. He opened the door slowlyand looked around at the figures. It was a group of police and a large man with short blonde hair in a military uniform without insignia. Tristan''s eyes immediately lit up as he Recognized the man and a smile that went from ear to ear grew across his face dropped his things and rushed towards the man. “Uncle Connall!"Connall gave him a sad smile as heknelt downwithhis arms opened wide for a hug “ Hey there little buddy”.


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    Tristanwrapped his uncle into as tight of an embrace as he could. His arms barely wrapping around his uncle''s large body."What are you doing here. Is it cuz mom and dad are gonna be here soon?" The joy was palpable in his voice as he looked up athis massive uncle.


    The deep sadness hidden in Connall''s eyes grew as he held his nephew. “Yeah little buddy that’s sort of why i’m here, your parents aren’t gonna be home tonight.” Tristan released his hold on his uncle and took a step back filled withconfusion.He looked around at the men inthe roomand recognized the looks on their faceswhichfilled him full of anxiety. It was the same look his parents gave to the homeless man that always hung out next to his favorite burger place.As well as the look they gave him when they told him his dog Sassy died. “what do you mean they’re not gonna be here. But they’re supposed to pick me up. They told me so, they’re driving back today and they''re supposed to be here to pick me up after school.”


    A hand took hold of Connall’s heart in a fierce grasp as he Looked at Tristan and saw the change in him. “ I know little buddy. We have a lot to talk about. Why don’t you come with me and we can talk somewhere private. I can explain everything to you.” Tristan took another step back from his uncle. His voice raising in volume and pitch “ Explain what. What''s there toexplain! Just tell me now! Why aren''t my parents gonna be here to pick me up!”


    These things were always so hard for Connall and even though the hand that gripped his heart squeezed even tighter. He felt being blunt was the best choice even with his own nephew. This choice was one of the hardest things he had done in recent memory. Destroying monsters was nothing in comparison to telling his only nephew that his parents were hit and killed by a drunk driver. Especially when he was still fighting desperately with his own emotions which wasn''t helped by the knowledgethat the drunk driver had walked away without a scratch.


    He Forced the emotions that were threatening to take control down and reached a trembling hand out towards his nephew. Then sighed and spoke in a quiet voice that was barely audible to the surrounding men, but was like a banging drum to Tristan''s ears. “There was an accident early this morning. Your parents were on their way back from the airport when they were hit by a drunk driver. Theydied at the scene before the ambulance could arrive.”


    Tristan’s world closed around him and a throbbing pressure constricted his body.Blood throbbed through his head and blocked outall otherwords that were being said as he became lost in the darkness that was takinghold of his world. He shook his head and tears sprang from his eyeswhile sobs broke free from his throat.Through the tearshescreamed. “No! You’re lying to me they can’t be dead! I talked to them just last night! There’s no way! Why would you lie to me about this! No!” His words trailedas his small body became wracked with emotion.


    Connall moved forward and wrapped his arms around his nephew just as tears sprang from his eyes as well“I’m here little buddy i’m here” Tristan shoved his uncle away and turned and ran down the hallway slamming the door to the principal’s office behind him.


    He was bombardedby pain and confusion as he ran through the hallways taking turn after turn. Getting lost in his pain just as he got lost in the disused hallways. His running slowed as his breath ran out. Hefinally came to a stop in a dark corridor that was no longer used. Then collapsed into a corner, wrapped his arms aroundhis knees and lost himself to the pain. Rocking back and forth on the floor.


    He cried until strong arms wrapped him into a tight embrace. He opened his eyes and saw the tear stained face of his uncle and hugged him back as he buried his face into his uncle’s chest. Connall Pulled him deeper into his embrace and kissed the top of his head while whispering “I’m here little buddy, I’m here. I’ve got you” They lost themselves for an unknown amount of time until he managed to coax Tristan to get up and leave with him. There was a lot they had to get taken care of in the coming days and a lot they still needed to talk about.