Dead or Alive: Makes No Difference-Epilogue

Although the sun shone through the clouds it didn’t take away from the chill in the air. Milo ignored the chill though as his long black coat stayed open. His hands were stuffed into the pockets as he walked up the grassy knoll. His eyes were on the tree planted there. If it had been any other tree, in any other place, he most likely would’ve ignored it. This tree was special though, because right next to it, six feet under the ground lay the body of his best friend, Luke Darth.1

Upon reaching the tree he read the inscription on the smooth granite.2

Lucas Ethan Darth
March 14, 1980-September 19, 2008
Beloved Son and Friend
He died too soon3

His long fingers traced the engraving as he knelt next to the stone.4

“I’m sorry I got you into this. Should’ve know doing what we were doing would end badly.” He said into the wind. He received no reply and he was expecting none.5

Standing up he looked out at the entirety of the cemetery. If he wanted to he could point to the very spot where his brother’s gravesite lay. He didn’t want to though because he knew David wasn’t buried there and he knew that there were lies engraved in the stone. Their parents knew nothing of those lies though and Milo had made sure of that.6

After the cops had done an investigation, Milo had made sure that they didn’t say anything to his parents about David. David was now spread over Lake Erie, never to be seen again. 7

He walked down the hill and looking over to his left, he spotted a figure. Caitlyn was there; she was visiting Jess. There was silence between them both as he approached her. For a minute they both just stood there, neither one speaking. 8

“Sorry I dragged you all into this.” He said, not looking at her.9

“We all wanted to do this, it was our choice to get involved.” She said, turning her face to him. He was looking down at the slab of granite in the ground.10

Brown eyes met blue ones as he turned his own head towards hers. She slipped a hand out of her jacket pocket and took his arm. The touch startled him slightly and he didn’t try to hide it. A small smirk grazed her face at the reaction, but quickly fell as she became serious.11

“I’ve learned that blaming yourself gets you nowhere. Don’t do it. This project we had was all because we wanted to do something grand. You just started it by saying something, we all made it happen. And your brother, how were you to know he’d faked his own death? This wasn’t your fault, Milo.”12

“Well, because of this project three people have been killed, someone has to take the blame.”13

“It doesn’t have to be you.”14

“Then who?” he shot, his voice angry.15

“Your brother.” She said after a minute, her voice only slightly hesitant.16

“But…” she cut him off.17

“If it weren’t for him faking anything, we wouldn’t be here.” Milo didn’t want to believe her, but deep down he knew she was right. There was still that part of him that looked up to the brother he’d lost, the one he’d known for the first sixteen years of his life. 18

Milo walked back to his black SUV right as it started to rain.19

“Does the weather have to reflect my mood?” he said sarcastically into the air and as a way of an answer, he heard a clap of thunder. 20

Taking out his keys he reached for the lock, he froze however when he saw a note placed on the windshield. Reaching out he took it. 21

Milo, 22

Saw your car when I came. I won’t try to be your best friend, because we both know that just trying could end badly. But know this, I am your friend. After everything we’ve been through I’m not sure I can say otherwise. You protected me and killed your own brother so I didn’t die. It’s been a year since it all happened, but it feels like it was just yesterday. We’re both going our separate ways, whether it just be to try new things or to get away and start fresh. I won’t say I know your reason but I will surmise that it’s similar to mine. Goodbye and good luck Milo. I hope that wherever life takes you, you find happiness, because heaven knows it’s time you had some. 23

Love, 24

Catelyn25

Milo blinked as the rain hit his face. The paper in his hand was getting wet and the ink was starting to run. This letter was the end, this letter was the closing of the current chapter in his life. He didn’t know if he’d try to connect with her once he left and got settled into his new life or if he’d let her go. Part of him wanted to just let her go, because by letting her go he could leave it all behind. 26

Running a hand through his wet hair he opened the door to his car and slid in. He put the keys in the ignition, but didn’t start the car right away. His eyes watched as she made her way from Jess’s grave to her own car. With a sigh he started the engine. 27

“Goodbye and good luck to you, Catelyn.” He said as he drove off in the rain leaving it all behind. 28