This is a page to show case my college term art project. At the end of my term I will move the picks to the appropriate page, so that I can show case the next terms art.

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Week 1

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Death Becomes us

He woke gasping, the room spinning. His head was throbbing, as he tried to get up from his bed, but collapsing onto hard wood floor. He dragged himself over to his desk, using the heavy oak desk to help him stand. His legs shook as he stumbled through the dark room. Leaning against the door frame as he opened the door. He opened his eyes wide the squinted trying to get his vision to clear as he swayed stepping out into the hall.

“Kai what happened?!” his mother hurrying down the hall. Kai’s strength gave out and he fell to floor, his is mother barely catching him. Kai closed his eyes tight gripping his head, “Hitori! Hitori get over here!”

“What’s wrong with him?” Hitori asked buttoning his shirt.

“I don’t know, he can’t stand and he’s gripping his head.” His mother said panicking, “We need to get him to a hospital.”

When Kai opened his eyes and he slowly looked around the room. He tried to sit up but the doctor stopped him. Kai looked up at the doctor, who was a middle-aged man with grey peppered though his short brown hair. “Where am I?”

“I’m Dr. Scott, do you remember what happened this morning?” Kai sluggishly shook his head, “Your parent brought you in unconscious. You have a severe concussion.”

“I woke up and my head hurt. I was having a really bad nightmare.” Kai said pain written on his face, “I woke up suddenly maybe I hit my head.”

“Do you have nightmares often.” Dr. Scott asked. Kai looked over at his parents and back at the doctor. He nodded looking uncomfortable, “Kai how long has this been going on?”

“For a few months.” Kai whispered. Dr. Scott took Kai’s parents from the room to speak with them in regards to Kai’s treatment during his stay at the hospital.

Close to four o’clock Steyer came to the hospital with Kai’s assignments for the day. He helped Kai with his work until eight o’clock, when his stepfather picked him up though Steyer seemed reluctant to leave. Steyer was the one person Kai felt he could rely on no matter what. Kai laid back in his bed staring up at the ceiling. All he wanted was for one night of sleep. No dreams, just darkness, just a few hours of rest. Tears slowly rolled down his cheeks, he was just so exhausted.

He woke the smell of rotting blood and decaying flesh. The air so thick and hot, he chocked on the putrid smell so strong he could taste it. Kai slowly put his feet down. He shivered, and his stomach twisted as his feet touched the cold slimy, grated floor. The walls looked like they had been pieced together with slabs of rust decayed metal, appearing to be covered in a mix of rust and blood. Kai slowly made his way to the to the door. The heavy metal door screeched as it slowly opened. Kai cringed seeing the grime on his hands. He whipped his hands on his pant legs as he stepped out into the corridor. Looking to the left and right, the corridor looked nor smelled any better. He could hear metal scrapping metal coming from his left and drawing closer. Kai hurried right to the end of the corridor. He rounded the corner to his left skidding to a stop, falling backward onto the floor. A large, cloaked figure stood before him, his large scythe inches from Kai’s nose. The large figure pointed a long boney finger down the corridor behind Kai. Kai scrambled to his feet and headed the direction the cloaked figure had pointed, too afraid to disobey. He came to a large set of metal doors. Sweat dripped down the back of his neck as he tried to catch his breath, his heart pounding in his ears. Kai’s head to throb, and his vision blurred, as he dropped to his knees.

“So far down the rabbit whole, I feel my mind is slipping. Everything is falling apart. Hall after hall, everything leads in circles. Creatures keep trying to kill me. I feel like I’m losing my mind.” Kai hugged his knees tears falling from eyes.

“Well, you know the good thing about what you just said?” Dr. Himura asked Kai gently rubbing Kai’s back, “Those who think they are losing their minds or think they are crazy are actually sane. The human mind questions everything. The feeling of being watch is your brain’s keeping you alert to your surroundings. The feeling of going crazy or losing one’s mind is caused by the fear of having a mental illness or it can also be caused by an unknown source of trauma. This can affect your ability to sleep, lack of sleep causes stress, and stress causes unstable emotions and thought processes, understand?”

“Yeah, I do but I’ve never had a traumatic experience. I have a normal life. I’m a straight A student. Well, I was a straight A student. I have friends I see on a regular basis.” Kai said whipping his eyes.

“What is your home life like?” Dr. Himura asked handing Kai a box of tissue.

“My parents work a lot. More often than not I’m home alone. I understand they have jobs, but I do wish they were more like when I was younger. We used to spend the weekends together as a family. I can’t remember the last time we had dinner as a family.” Kai said with a sigh.

“Now what’s your school life like?”

“I like my school life.” Kai smiled, “The last few years have been hard on my friend Steyer. We hold each other up.”

“It’s good to have someone to rely on.” Dr. Himura said opening the door, “I’ll see you next week Kai.”

Kai panted heavy running from corridor to corridor till he once again came to the large set of metal doors. He stared at the doors a moment. Kai opened the door to be greeted with the disgusting odor of rotting flesh. The room was poorly lit with a pale red light, and appeared to have no bottom. There was a single catwalk that stretched the length of the room where a floor should have been. Above the catwalk bodies hung from chains and barbwire, flesh decaying from the bones. Kai fell to his knees vomiting on the floor.

“What the hell is this place?” Kai choked, tears roll down his cheek. He couldn’t keep doing it; he couldn’t keep coming to this place. His mental and physical strength were giving out on him, it was all too much.

“Kai where are you! I need you!” Kai jumped as someone called out to him. Kai got to his feet fallowing the voice; it sounded male, about his age, similar to himself. Kai listened hard trying to pick up where in the room it was coming from.

“Kai please I’m scared, please help me it hurts!” Kai quickened his pace, hurrying to the other side of the large room but there wasn’t anything living in the room. Kai found himself standing before two more large doors. His hands trembling as he reached out to open it. The doors swung open almost as if someone opened it from the other side. Beyond the door the doors a boy was suspended above the bottomless pit of the room. The boy’s thin sickly body was bound tightly in barbwire. It cut deep into his skin; blood stained his clothes and skin. Kai stared staired in disbelief, the boy looked identical to him. The boy cried out as Kai felt a sharp pain, and everything went black.

“Man, Kai where the hell have you been?” Jack asked leaning back in his chair.

“Yeah, you’ve been out of class for like a month.” Sarah said turning in her seat so she was looking behind her. She made sure to push herself up enough to make her cleavage more noticeable. Jake grinned looking over at Kai then back to Sarah. Kai sighed looking away from them.

“The truth is I’ve been having these nightmares and somehow I keep getting hurt. Twice now I’ve hit my head. I’m scared the doctor is going to turn my parents in for abuse.” Kai said softly, “They aren’t hurting me, and I’m seeing a shrink for the nightmares.”

“Yeah, but we all know your parents aren’t home half as much as they should be. You’re father makes more that enough money that your mom doesn’t have to work.” Sarah said flatly.

“I won’t deny that, Dr. Himura thinks that its stress or maybe some underline trauma that’s caused the nightmares.” Kai said looking at his textbook.

“I think its stress, your parents are never home, exams are coming up, and you’re sixteen.” Sarah said playing with her hair. Still trying to get Kai’s attention.

“What’s age got to do with it?” Kai said his brow knitted together in confusion.

“Your body is changing. Those changes don’t stop till adulthood. This can cause physical and mental stress.” Steyer said from catty corner behind Kai.

“Steyer mind your own business!” Jack snapped.

“You talk loud enough half the class has probably herd you, I simply answered his question. Stop being vague with him and say things plainly. You’re pussy footing around is going to stress him that much more. Fact is you’re a sixteen-year-old high school student with parents who neglect you; you’re bound to have a mental breakdown sooner or later. It comes from being abused.” Steyer said flatly, stacking his books into a neat pile.

“Steyer that was out of line!” Sarah yelled the whole class turning their attention to the small group, “Kai is not abused!”

“No what’s out of line is you flaunting yourself like a cheap whore.” Steyer bit back, “Have some self respect and yes Kai is abused. The faster he admits that the better.”

The whole class stared at them as Steyer stood and left the room, knocking his chair over as he did so. Kai stood up calmly. He walked over to Steyer’s desk and stood up his chair before turning back to his friends, “This needs to stop. You two keep blaming Steyer for what his father did. Steyer didn’t hurt Meg. Steyer isn’t the reason she committed suicide. Leave him alone, we all used to be friends and when he needed us the most, you two turned on him like a pack of wolves. I miss Meg, but I can’t blame Steyer for what happened.”

Steyer was hidden away in the men’s room. He choked back the tears that ran down his face. He felt horrible for lashing out but it was just so frustrating being treated like he was some kind of criminal. He couldn’t have done anything to stop his father. He didn’t even know what was happening, yet everyone blamed him as if he were destined to do the same.

Kai rushed down the hall almost running into his teacher. He quickly explained what happened then hurried off to find Steyer. Kai walked into the bathroom. Steyer stood at the sink water dripped down his flushed face. His pumpkin colored hair stuck to his forehead. Kai walked over to him and just laid his head on his shoulder. Steyer said nothing he didn’t have to. He’d known Kai long enough that this was Kai simply showing his support. He never understood why Kai never hated him for anything but he was thankful for it.

Kai took Steyer back to the classroom. Their teacher waved them to their seats as he continued his lecture. Kai switched seats with Cody so he was beside Steyer. At the end of the day they walked out of the school together as they always did. Steyer’s mother was there to pick him up. Kai walked home after they drove off. He didn’t want Steyer’s mom going out of her way given that she had a baby due in a few months. That night Kai took the long way home. He was lost in thought, Steyer’s words weighed heavily on his mind. Maybe he was right, maybe Kai was abused. Kai was brought back to reality when a car honked.

“Hey sweetie, I’m headed home from picking up dinner. Are your parents going to be home?” Steyer’s mom pulled up.

“No, they probably wont be home till late.” Kai said leaning down to the window.

“Well get in, you’ll have dinner with us tonight and I’ll take you to school in the morning.” She smiled unlocking the door, “Steyer could use the company. He’s still upset about school today.”

Steyer was caught off guard when Kai helped his mom carry the food in. After handing them some paper plates and cans of soda. Steyer lead Kai up to his room. It wasn’t anything special, a bed sat in the left hand corner, a simple writing desk sat under the to windows along the back wall, bookcase stood angled across the right corner next to a small closet, and the other side of the door was Steyer’s dresser. Kai had known Steyer since grade school back before his father went to jail and he had to move in with his mother, but he had never once been in Steyer’s home not since he had moved here. The room felt cold, lonely in a way that Kai couldn’t describe. Even with everything he was going through he suddenly felt that Steyer had it worse, “Steyer how do you know so much about being abused.”

“When dad went to jail and I moved here, my stepdad started beating me on a regular basis. Now that they have a child on the way things have gotten worse. I’ve never told my mother he beats me. So don’t you dare.” Steyer spoke softly lifting his shirt to show the burses running down his side. By the way what happened to Kei?” Steyer asked handing Kai one of the cans of soda.

“Who’s Kei?” Kai seemed rather confused.

“What do you mean? Your twin brother. You two were inseparable until our sixth-grade year.” Steyer stopped his eyes wide, “Wait, did he die or something. Oh my god Kai I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“You’re messing with me, right?” Kai sounded upset.

“You really don’t know who I’m talking about?” Steyer stood up grabbing a photo album from his bookshelf. He flipped through it un till he came to a photo of him, Kai and a boy that looked identical to Kai, “That’s Kei, I’m not making this up Kai.”

Kai stared down at the photo he felt confused and angry. How do you forget a sibling specially a twin brother. Kei was back to back with Kai, he had a part of a candy bar hanging out of his mouth. Steyer was sitting on the steps below them handing part of a candy bar to Kai. They all looked so happy. Kai looked up at Steyer tears in his eyes, “I don’t remember him. How don’t remember him.”

Steyer could only hold Kai as he cried. He felt bad for bring Kei up but maybe this was the push Kai needed to get to the bottom of what was troubling him. That night Kai didn’t sleep he lay on Steyer’s bed staring at the ceiling questioning everything he thought he knew about himself. He couldn’t remember anything before sixth grade. It was like those years of his life were just gone. Nor could he remember anything about Kei or what happened to him. Did he die? Was he with some other family? He was so confused, all he had was questions with no answers.

After school that day Kai ran home, he flung open the door to find his father standing there his arms folded over his chest, “Where were you last night?”

“I stayed with a friend so we could study.” Kai said flatly realizing there was no way he could ask about Kei. Kai’s father grabbed him by the hair dragging him into the living room, “Who said you could stay anywhere on a school night?”

“I called mom and told her what was going on!” Kai cried pain ripping through his head and neck.

“You didn’t ask to stay you said you were. Kai you are still a child we have final say of everything!” His father yelled tossing him to the floor.

“I don’t see why you’re so mad I stayed at a friend’s to study for my exams.” Kai snapped.

“Who did you stay with?”

“Steyer, I told mom that!”

“I don’t care what you told her fact is you will never do this again do you understand me!” Kai didn’t say anything he just stared at his father, “Go do your homework and go to bed.”

Kai went to his room and slammed the door; he threw himself down on his bed and cried. What was happening to his life? Nightmares, a lost brother, and now his father was abusing him. Why was this happening and why him?”

“My father grabbed me by my hair and threw me into the living room floor last week.” Kai said looking at his feet shame written on his face, “He was mad because I stayed with Steyer the night before.”

“Was that the first time your father had ever done that?” Dr. Himura asked rubbing Kai’s back. Kai only nodded. He was scared of what his father would do if he found out that he told Dr. Himura what happened.

“Yes, and Steyer showed me something, I have a bother.” Kai said handing Dr. Himura the photo, “His name is Kei.”

“He looks just like you, but your parents have you listed as an only child.” Dr. Himura looked puzzled then picked up the phone on her desk, “Marry send Mrs. Ishida in please.”

Kai’s mother walked in looking a bit worried, “Can I help you doctor?”

“Sit we need to talk. Kai informed me about what happened last week.” Kai’s mother looked over at him with a disapproving look that made him shrink back in his seat. “I also find that you have lied to me on Kai’s paperwork. All of Kai’s siblings must be listed weather they are alive or diseased.”

“Kai has no siblings.” Mrs. Ishida said firmly.

“Then who is Kei Ishida?” Dr. Himura asked pointing to the boy in the photo Kai and Steyer.

“It’s probably photo shopped. Steyer is a troubled child. After his father was arrested, that boy became a delinquent.” Mrs. Ishida snapped.

“Mrs. Ishida, this photo has a time stamp of when it was take. Further more you don’t get to judge someone based on the actions of someone else. Now tell me the truth, does Kai have a sibling!”

“Fine yes, he has a brother, he’s at Mayberry Mental Institution. He tried to kill Kai that year we had him admitted. He wasn’t mentally stable!”

“My brother is in an insane asylum!” Kai gasped.

“It’s no wonder you’re having nightmares.” Dr. Himura looked at Kai.

“I want to see my brother.” Kai said flatly.

“No, absolutely not.” Mr. Ishida walked into the room.

“No, I want Kai to see him. I will call his supervising doctor and schedule a meet for them. Kai needs this resolved the only way to do that is to let his see Kei.” Dr. Himura said grabbing the phone.

“No, were done here.” Mr. Ishida said tossing Kai his jacket, making him flinch.

“I can take you to court and have a judge order Kai’s medical emancipation.” Dr. Himura said her tone low.

“You can’t do that!” Mr. Ishida gasped.

“Yes, I can, at this point I have a testimony from Kai that you grabbed him by his hair and threw him to the floor also with his mental state I can have him taken away from you on grounds of neglect. So it’s the easy way or the hard way.”

The sound of water dripping echoed through the darkness. He walked through the silence trying to find his way out of the endless room. His body felt heavy. It all looked the same, he felt like he had just been walking in place. “Kai we don’t have time. If you come here you’ll never leave. Neither of us will ever leave. You have to stay away.” Kai didn’t have time to respond before a large shrouded man lifted him from the ground by his neck. Kai grasped trying to pry the man’s hand loose. He kicked at the man’s ribs before the man tossed him against the wall with easy. Kai hit the wall hard knocking out what little air in his lungs. He lay on the ground unable to get any air in or out. Kai woke on his floor coughing heavily as air returned to his lungs.

He winced as pain flooded his back. His heart pulsed in his ears. Once Kai was able to move he grabbed a sleeveless turtle next and his the his jacket. Kai met his parents in the kitchen. His stood at the counter with drinking his coffee his back to Kai. His mother gave him a disapproving look before sitting his breakfast on the table. Once the meal was over they got into the car and left for the Mayberry Mental Institution. Kai sat in the back seat quietly staring down at the photo in his hand. He still couldn’t believe that what was happening. He felt like his life was a bad twist in a horror movie.

Kai let out a soft sigh watching the trees as they passed, the closer they got to Mayberry the more uneasy he felt. The clouds over head grew heavy and dark rain beginning slow at first. Thunder bombed as they found a parking space in the large lot in front of Mayberry. Kai looked up at the sky as lighting skittered across the sky. He shivered wrapping his jacket around his thin frame, and quickly fallowed his parents to the door as the rain picked up. Once inside they headed to the reception desk where Dr. Himura spoke with a man he assumed was Kei’s doctor. She smiled waving them over.

“Before we go see Kei I’d like to evaluate Kai myself. Not that I’m saying that Dr. Himura hasn’t properly daignosed him, I just want my own understanding of his mental state.” Dr. Jameson said gestering toward his office.

“With all do respect doctor I’d rather not.” Kai said rather apprehensive. There was something he didn’t like about Dr. Jameson.

“Its alright Kai, I’ll be with you. Unfortunately Dr. Jameson refuses to let you see Kai without first evaluating you himself.” Dr. Himura sighed. Kai rolled his eyes, he had no desire to sit through another evaluation but if he wanted answers and closer this had to happen. Dr. Jameson lead Kai and Dr. Himura to his office. Dr. Jameson spoke with Kai for an hour, while going over Kai’s file. He scribbled something on a note pad before looking up at Kai with a smile that put him in mind of a snake, which sent shivers down his spine. Dr. Jameson lead everyone to a visiting room. Inside Kei sat at a table by a single window. Kei looked over his shoulder as the door creaked open. He looked just like Kai but his eye looked worn as if his he had his spirit broken down over the years. His hair was matted and tangled.

Kai felt tears fall down his cheek as he remembered the day in the photo Steyer had given him. Kai and Kei were sitting on the steps of Steyer’s grandmother’s house laughing about a show they had watched the night before. Steyer had run up with a large chocolate bar, his grandmother has told him to share with the twins. It was a hot summer day and they had been invited to go with Steyer to his grandmother’s for the weekend. They had spent the day swimming in the large pond that was split between three properties.

“Dear sweet brother, it was a good day wasn’t it? The summer heat, the cool water, and the bitter sweet taiste of chocolate.” Kei smiled lovingly at Kai holding out his arms. Kai couldn’t help but push past Dr. Himura and fall into his brother’s embrace. Kei held Kai tight stroking his hair soothingly. Kai sobbed feeling as if a weight had been lifted off him, “I missed you Kai, have you been well?”

“Kei you know the rules.” Dr. Jameson cleared his throat as he walked over to the boys. Kei said nothing, laying his head on Kai’s as. Their grip on each other tightening as Dr. Jameson tried to separate them.

“Dr. Jameson stop, this is clearly a much needed and healthy interaction.” Dr. Himura said forcing Dr. Jameson back.

“You shouldn’t have come here. He won’t let you leave.” Kei whispered in Kai’s ear sadly as Kai pulled away. They were left to talk for before Dr. Jameson instructed a nurse to take Kei back to his room.

“Well, I think this will make great improvement. Kai, I’ll see you next week and maybe we can start making this a regular part of your therapy. With Dr. Jameson’s permission maybe we could set up a time to do joint a joint therapy session.” Dr. Himura smiled triumphantly. Kai smiled feeling good about everything and nodded. Dr. Himura left saying goodbye to Kai and thanked his parents and Dr. Jameson for cooperating.

“After what I saw today and with my evaluation, I hate to say Dr. Himura is massively under-qualified to deal with your son. I’m afraid that your concerns are well justified.” Dr. Jameson said walking over to Kai’s parents.

“What do you mean by that?” Kai looked at Dr. Jameson rather unnerved. Dr. Jameson looked at Kai, the to a couple of nurses, “Take him to the vacant room across from Kei. Mr. and Mrs. Ishida, I have some papers for you to go over and sign.”

“What do you mean papers to sign? What’s going on?” Kai screamed as the nurses grabbed him. Kai yanked away running for the door.

“Grab him, he’s clearly an endangerment to himself.” Dr. Jameson called. Several nurses and orderlies blocked the door. Kai kidded to a stop and tried to get away, but two of the orderlies, grabbed him pinning him down to the floor. Dr. Jameson walked up with a syringe in hand. Kai screamed and tried to get loose but no matter how hard he struggled it did no good. Kai winced as the needle pierced his skin. Within moments Kai’s body felt week and everything faded to black.

“My dear sweet brother, take comfort in knowing we are trapped here together.” Kei said hugging his knees. Kai woke to the sound of something scuffling around him. Kai tried to move but found himself bound to the bed. His heart skipped at beat as something jumped onto the bed. He could feel its weight on his stomach. He froze as it sniffed around his body. He felt something wet drip onto his neck. Kai held his breath trying not to move. He heard a low growl the impact of something hitting whatever was on top of him. The creature flung off him, crying out as it hit the floor.

Kei made quick work of Kai’s bindings and pulled him to his feet. They rushed from the room, quickly making their way down the corridors. Kei skid to a halt as they heard something slither along the floor. Kei stepped back putting his arm over Kai as if to protect him from something.

“You’re not in your roomss. Why are you not in your roomss?!” A large snake like creature slithered around the corner, “You musst be punisshed for leaving you rooms!”
Kei and Kai took off back down the hall they came from. They darted through the first door they could find. Bookshelves and tables were smashed about the room. Kei grabbed Kai’s arm and yanked him across the room, “There’s a door on the other side.”

“Kei what is the thing?!” Kai panted.

“Dr. Jameson, nothing is safe. Don’t trust anything.” Kei said suddenly throwing Kai to the left, a large tail landing between them. The snake creature hissed diving at Kei, who dived under one of the broken tables. He grabbed Kai’s hand and ran through the door. The ran down the hall heading for a staircase. When they reached the stairs, Kei pulled Kai around and under the stairs The creature once known as Dr. Jameson fallowed slamming into the wall at the bottom of the stairs. Kei covered Kai’s mouth seeing him tense up. He watched Dr. Jameson’s body coil about as he frantically looked down each hall. With a his he slithered down the left-hand hall.

Kei waited a moment then pulled Kai down the right-hand hall. The hall seemed to go on forever. Kai stopped hearing something scratching at the wall. Kei looked back at Kai, before he could say anything the door across from Kei busted open, and a creature lunged out sinking its sharp teeth into Kei’s arm. Kei screamed in pain, blood rushing everywhere. Kai grabbed a piece of the broken door breaking it over the creature’s head. It let go of Kei, whipped around and sunk its teeth shoulder. Kei winced grabbing the board, repeatedly hitting the creature till it fell limp on the floor. Kai lay against the was gasping. Blood rushed from the bite of his on his shoulder.

“Kai it’s going to be alright. We’re almost there we just have to get downstairs.” Kei said ripping his shirt, using it to make a bandage for Kai. Kei helped Kai to his feet. Kai was so weak he had to lean on Kei to keep from falling.

“Kei, did you really try to kill me?” Kai’s breath was labored and his voice was horse.

“No Kai, I’d never hurt you. I was trying to save you.” Kei said carefully helping Kai down the spiral staircase. Kai tensed as the sound of metal scraping metal filled the darkness.

“Kei I don’t know what that is but I don’t think we should be going toward it.” Kai said as they stepped down into the darkness of the room. Like that time before the room was pitch black. Kai felt Kei leave his side and the room suddenly became brighter. Kai could see Kei standing with his back to him. The sound of metal on metal was unbearable. Kai felt lightheaded, as he tried not to fall.

“Kei what were you trying to save me from?”

“That place, its not home. We don’t belong there. Haven’t you felt like that world is suffocating? We belong here, this is our home.” Kei turned to face Kai, “I was trying to save you from them. The only way to come home is to die.”

“Kei you’re not making any sense.”

“We belong together Kai. We were born together, we have to die together. Father wants us back Kai. He loves us and he wants us to come home.” Kei wrapped his arms around Kai resting his head on Kai’s uninjured shoulder. Kai’s eyes widened as the cloaked figure rose from the shadows of the room. Kai tried to pull free from Kei as it approached them, but Kei only held tighter. Kai screamed as everything faded into darkness.

Two years had passed since their deaths. The police did a full investigation of Mayberry. It was determined that Dr. Jameson was at fault and charge with negligent homicide. Their parents we also charged for child endangerment and neglect. When Dr. Himura phoned Steyer he had been devestated to hear they were both dead. Everything changed after that. For his own well being he was moved our of town. He couldn’t cope with Kai’s death not after everything they’d been through. This was the first time Steyer had stepped foot near their grave since the funeral, flowers rested on his knee. Tears dripped from his chin as he stood up leaving the flowers lay between their names so elegenatly carved into garnet stone. He was somber as he headed down the gravel path. He stopped briefly at the gate, looking over his shoulder, “Goodbye, my friends.”

Kai woke his head resting on the arm of a throne made of bone. Kei stood before him with a smile playing on his lips, his head tilted to the side. Kai sat up and looked at Kei who stood next to their father, next to Death.

“You know Kei you were right.” Kei continued to smile, “Death becomes us.”