Markus Vasco
xxxThey say I may be making a mistake
xxxI would've followed all the way, no matter how far
xxxI know when you go down all your darkest roads
xxxI would've followed all the way to the graveyard
The soft chirping of birds, the sound of the engine of a car that occasionally passed by on the busy street, and the sound of the wind softly hitting against the large pine trees that encircled the area were the only sounds that filled the air, in the otherwise entirely silent graveyard. A soft sigh escaped Markus' mouth as he remained crouched down in-front of one of the graves. It was somewhat worn and weathered, due to the constant onslaught of a vicious winds and harsh winters in the small town. Markus lifted his hand to wipe away the thick layer of dirt that had gathered over the front of the grave marking, his eyes seemingly life-less as the name Soren Bowers was now visible again. "I...I'm so sorry..." Markus choked out, the words came out as barely above a whisper. He could feel his eyes begin to burn once more as tears slowly began to creep into his vision. Markus sniffled as he wiped his nose, slowly getting to his feet as his hands shook by his side. "I'll...I'll be back sometime later this week..." he said softly, the words falling from his lips as his eyes glanced back towards the headstone and then to his feet. It didn't matter how many times he came to visit the two graves for his friends, the pain never left. Almost like he could never fully accept the fact that it had been seven years since Soren's accident, and five since-He shook his head of those thoughts. Doing his best to disgard them as best he could. He'd be back later, that was all that mattered.
Markus looked over the small headstone once more, before he began making his way back a few rows to the front of the graveyard, before stopping. Turning his head to look in the direction to his right, resided another grave. Somewhat newer than Soren's, but still somewhat old and weathered. His eyes glanced at the name, quickly averting it just as quickly as his eyes landed on those etched in letters. It was still too soon, still hurt too much to think about. Hell, shortly after the accident, Phoenix left for college, even though Markus couldn't blame her. The town took everything from her. First her girlfriend, and then her sister. It was only fair she left too but, it still didn't change anything that he had lost his last remaining friend from heighschool. But he couldn't hang onto those feelings and thoughts anymore. She was off in New York, making something for herself while he resided in this small little god forsaken town. He couldn't continue to be bitter, it wasn't healthy. He was just hurt, even if he didn't want to focus on it anymore.
He sighed once more, and turned and left the graveyard. He could come back anytime. He just needed to get his mind off things. And today he was in luck as the local Halloween Festival was taking place this week, and if he wanted anything to help cheer him up, this usually did the trick. But it was usually with his friends, but...Markus needed to grow up and accept what had happened and move on. Shaking his head to himself as he walked down the old worn pathway back to town.
Markus arrived in the market-place a few short minutes later, and the town-square was already buzzing with life. The pumpkin patch was busy as ever, with locals and visitors busily carving them for the small little competion they held every year. Leo and his parents must have been here somewhere, Markus thought to himself. They'd never miss out on this. A faint smile crept across his face for but a moment, as he could have sworn he saw the quickest flash of blonde main of hair flitter by in the corner of his eye. Markus took a double-take, as it would have been impossible. But by the time he looked off in the direction he thought he saw her, the person was gone. Markus blinked, his mind was playing tricks on him. That was all. As Markus looked back around, he could have sworn that a familiar face caught his eye among the pumpkin patch. The brown wavy hair, darker skin and eyes. It had been a few years but, there was no mistaking it. It was Phoenix. A small smile appeared on his lips, seeing her once again after all this time. But a somber feeling hit his chest, it couldn't have been easy for her to be here. For whatever reason-Oh. He blinked again as he saw a red-haired woman talking with her. Slowly he nodded as another smile appeared on his face. He was happy she was doing well for herself. She deserved it after all she'd been through.
Markus began to turn and walk away in the opposite direction of the two women, he wasn't ready to talk to her just yet and found himself practically walking into someone. "Oh shit, I am so fucking sorry. I didn't mean to-" Markus stopped as his eyes found themselves bounding over the person that stood before him. A flashy and shiny jacket, dark blue dyed hair. Maybe it was just an coincidence, but the moment the two locked eyes, Markus froze.
It wasn't possible, was it? It had been seven years. But those eyes and his face. However aged it may have been. But it couldn't be, right? Markus had been to the hospital. He went to the funeral for god's sake. This couldn't, there was no logical or realistic reason for it to be him, right? Markus found himself with mouth ajar as he tried to say something, anything at all other than staring at this man who simply could have just looked like him, right? After what felt like forever, which in reality was no more than a minute or two, Markus shook his head. Snapping himself out of his dazed stupor. "I am so sorry. I just...I was clumsy and didn't watch where I was going...And...I accidentally spilled your drink." Markus said numbly as he saw the freshly spilled beverage on the ground. "Uhm...How about I...How About I pay for a new one, huh? And whatever else you may want. Only fair, right?" he chuckled awkwardly, outstretching his hand to the man. "I know this is going to sound weird but...You don't happen to be from around here, do you? Sorry if that's a weird question just...I don't know. Sorry." Markus fumbled for something to say, anything to help get rid of the awkwardness he was feeling. "But what do you say...Let me buy you another drink?"