The Loss of a Companion
He held them in his arms, tears flowing freely down his cheeks. “Come on, stay with me, Andie, don’t die on me,” he repeated, until it was simply a meaningless blur of words punctuated by sobs.
Andie, from their position on Thomas’ lap, comforted him as best they could. “Shh-” they were cut off by a heaving, racking cough that reverberated throughout their entire body. they resumed their train of thought as soon as they had themself under control again. Placing a hand on Thomas’ cheek and wiping away his tears, they murmured, “It’ll be okay, Tom. Everything will be fine. We’re both going to be fine.”
Their chest tightened as soon as they said the words, the phrase almost catching in their throat. The taste of the bitter lie resided on their tongue. Both knew they were lying. They smiled up weakly at him. “If I don’t make it, live a good life anyways. Find someone who makes you happy and stay with them. For me?”
Thomas looked sadly down at them, tears threatening to fall once more. “I did. I found you.” His voice broke at the words, and he choked as sobs forced their way up his throat again. “Andie, I love you,” he confessed, holding them tight and looking deeply into their grey eyes.
Andie coughed again before replying, too quietly for Thomas to hear. He brought his ear close to Andie’s lips to make out what they were whispering: “Took you long enough.”
Thomas pulled his head back in surprise, studying Andie’s face carefully. “What?” He couldn’t contain the exclamation of shock. “You knew?”
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Andie couldn’t help laughing feebly at the shocked boy. “Of course, idiot! How could I not notice?” They grinned weakly up at him.
Thomas began to speak, but was cut off by Andie’s gesturing hands, motioning him to lean over, to bring his head closer. Curiously, he complied, moving his face towards Andie’s. he wondered about the knowing, almost giddy expression on Andie’s face, but then decided to ignore it and pay attention.
They beckoned him even closer, until their faces were mere inches apart. Then, Andie reached up, placing their hand on the back of his head, bringing their lips together. The kiss was short and sweet, yet melancholy. Both knew this kiss would be their first and last, despite the false hope they continued to keep alive.
Even as they drew apart, smiling sadly at each other, Andie convulsed once, looking up at Thomas, and managed to murmur, “My…Tommy.” Then they went limp, the energy draining from their once lively eyes.
A sob escaped Thomas’ mouth and he choked on it. He knew this was inevitable; Andie’s condition had been steadily worsening for weeks and he had been powerless to stop it.
For an unknown amount of time he simply held Andie’s body, begging them to just wake up, to hold him, to just not be dead. The river of tears he cried was not enough to show the soul-crushing sorrow he felt. His cries of anguish fell on the deaf ears of the cold forest around him.
Then he felt nothing. Numb to any emotions or sensations. Empty. For so long he’d had the constant companionship of Andie beside him, the comfort of knowing there was someone always there for him. But now Andie was gone.
He was truly alone in this solitary world.
