Path of Totality; A TDS Eclipse Event Story

🌘Chapter 6🌒

      "May his soul find peace and in Lord's name we pray, amen," the priest bowed his head as he finished his prair. Towers stayed silent. Most of them tried their best not to look at the coffin displayed with beautiful flowers and a portait of him.

      It was his identification photo but blown up. It was the only recent photo they had of him. Even then, it still brought smiles to the mourning towers whenever they stared at it. Scout always had the most goofiest grins.

      Commander couldn't even bare to even look at it. He was dressed in his black commander attire, much like everyone else here. Medic sat next to him, tightly holding his hand and stroking her thumb against him.

      She wore a knee length black dress with a black cardigan. Over her face was a decorative, black veil. Many of the other medics were wearing the same as she was. Funerals weren't new to any of them, but the death of such a young man was stabbing at everyone.

      Commander couldn't bring himself to see the coffin buried however. So after the service, he and Medic instantly went to his office.

      They had wasted a whole two days. A whole two days because one of those things out there took away their Scout. Commander didn't know what to feel. Anger and grief clouded his mind.

      "Commander. I have.. his bag. Perhaps it would be a comfort to see what he left?" Medic offered as she carried in the deceased tower's bag.

      Commander looked up from his desk and stared at the bag. The bag he packed for Scout. It wouldn't hurt to see what was left. Medic unzipped the bag and placed it on the desk, stepping back to let Commander look inside.

      He first pulled out the water bottle. It was nearly halfway finished. At least he was keeping hydrated. Snack wrappers littered the inside. The candy he had secretly packed was found. Commander found comfort in that Scout got to have some candy before his demise.

      Then he found the box of colors he packed. They were a new box when he put them in, but they were opened now. Commander gasped, there was at least one drawing in here.

      Commander dumped the contents out on his desk and shuffled through the empty paper. "Commander? What's wrong?" Medic asked, stepping over to him.

      He ignored her as he shakily lifted the drawing to his eyes. It was a drawing of him and Scout at the range. They were shooting pistols at empty soda cans. Scout was shooting one off the fence in the drawing, just like he did nearly a week ago.

      Commander slumped back in his chair and stared. His heart ached and his eyes were hurting. Never had Commander had anyone enjoy his company so much. Not even Medic liked to be around him as much as Scout did.

      Sighing and putting the picture down, Commander began to think about what Scout's life could of been like. Perhaps he would have been a great squadron leader. He would of been teaching the newer generation of towers. That was ripped away.

      "Commander. You are hurt. Maid is still willing to take over your duties. Please sleep for a little bit, you haven't slept in the past two days," Medic begged him.

      Commander thought about it. It was true, he hadn't had a wink of sleep since learning Scout was dead.

      However, Medic wouldn't leave him alone about it. "Fine.. but.. could you stay with me for a bit?" he was a bit afraid to ask. Medic stared for a moment. She was surprised by the request.

      "Uhm, of course. Come on, let's get you to your own bed," Medic took Commander's arm and helped him up. She walked him to his room, keeping him up. Commander was mostly dead weight, he was exhausted.