Octavia's POV

Just when I think that I was feeling the worst possible pain, life decides to stab me in the gut.

I was in my room, cooped up and crying when Melia rushed into my room, tears in her eyes.

"Melia, what-"

"Master James," she sobbed.

I got up slowly.

"What about James?" I asked, causing her to cry louder.

"Melia!" I yelled, "What about James?"

"They're saying James is dead."

I dropped my pillow.

No...

That can't be right.

"You're fucking with me Melia," I said, regarding her warily, "my brother's life is no joke."

"He was stabbed. Master Hale and Miss Kate just came back with his body."

My body went cold.

"What?" I said, not believing the words I heard.

James... is dead?

No...

That can't be right.

Pushing past Melia, I ran downstairs.

********************************************

Kate was on the floor, her eyes red and puffy.

Dad just sat in a corner, his eyes wide with disbelief.

All the servants were in terrible tears.

And there lay a body covered by a white sheet.

I laughed and everyone looked at me.

"Get your asses up. My brother is not dead. This has to be a serious prank."

This only made them cry even more.

I bent down towards the figure in the sheet.

"James, get your ass up. This is not funny. Please," I said.

I uncovered the sheet and true to Melia's words...

James.

His eyes were closed.

I took the entire sheet off and let out a scream.

My brother.

My baby brother.

His body was covered in stab marks, the deepest one being where his heart was.

I covered my mouth, my tears just falling.

"JAMES!" I screamed, beating the ground with my bare hands.

Kate came and tried to comfort me.

"Oct-" she said sobbing.

"HE DIDN'T FUCKING DESERVE THIS! HE WAS ONLY 15 KATE! FIFTEEN!" I screamed.

"DON'T YOU THINK I FUCKING KNOW THAT?" she snapped, tears in her eyes, "I tried to save him. I did everything in my power and it still wasn't enough. I had to watch him take his last breath. That fucking sucked Octavia. That sucked so fucking much. So don't tell me what he didn't fucking deserve, I know. I know. I'm a failure as a doctor."

And with that, she walked away, into the solitude of her room.

I turned to my brother's body.

"You didn't deserve this James. I hope the person that did this to you rot in hell." I said.

I leaned on my brother's body, crying bitterly.

*****************************************

His funeral was held a few days later.

Only a select few were there.

Including the Richleys.

Julianne wept so much. She didn't speak to anyone, just stared at James' body and cried.

The ceremony was simple. Some kids from James' music class played a piece to send him off. Julianne recited a poem:

"For a musician that hated music so much

I recite this in the hopes that it reaches you in the afterlife

Your book was closed so early, that sucks

You had so much to do, who would've thought that your time

would be cut so short?

Fates you could've mended that thread

And we wouldn't have been here, instead

We'd be happy today

Alas, we are here, our grief clear as day

To honour a fallen Hale

An abrupt ending to his colourful tale.

Sleep well my darling James

Your absence will be felt every day."

I cried as she finished her piece.

I had to deliver the eulogy.

With a broken heart, I got up to the podium.

"James David Hale, so named because my parents liked the names was my little brother. Yet, he was more than that. He was a musician, one who hated music. He was outspoken, honourable and colourful."

At that exact moment, the last person I wanted to see entered the church.

Refael.

And his girlfriend.

He gave me a sad smile and I simply rolled my eyes.

He didn't matter.

At least, not anymore.

"My baby brother would get me on my last nerves every day. We would bicker but at the end of the day, he understood me better than any of my family members. He just had a messed up way of showing his understanding. My only regret is that I could never tell him that I loved him. That I could never tell him he didn't need to practice every day. That I couldn't take him out on walks and take lots of selfies. That I'll never get to tease him about his first date. That I'll never get to show his significant other his baby pictures. That I'll never get to comfort him the way he comforted me when I got my heart broken."

I stood there and looked at everyone, tears in my eyes.

"But such is death right? Death comes and takes away the people we love and leave regrets. What could've, should've and would've been...such is death. Sleep in peace my dear baby brother, we'll meet again in another lifetime."

With that, I walked off the podium and out of the church, ignoring everyone's calls for me.

************************************

I sat on the park bench, my eyes aching from the tears I've been crying all week.

He was really gone.

And I could never bring him back.

"Octy."

I ignored him and pulled out a blunt. I light it and drew in, exhaling the smoke.

"Octavia, please-"

I got up and punched him.

"Get the fuck out of my sight!" I yelled.

He clutched his jaw.

"You and James punch the same," he muttered.

When did James punch him?

He turned to walk away when I stopped him.

"When did my brother hit you?" I asked.

"Last Saturday morning. He hit me, told me off and then left."

I scoffed.

"He should've just knocked you the fuck out," I snarled.

"I'm sorry Octavia! If you could just hear me out-"

"What happened between us was a mistake Refael. Go to your girlfriend and leave me be."

"But-" he started.

"I lost a brother. I don't need this kind of wound to reopen. Allow me to grieve. Please," I said, putting the blunt to my lips.

He sighed and left.

As soon as he did, I fell apart again.

*******************************************

I'm in tears.

Just terrible tears.

More to come.

-Safiello.