The End

“So, enlighten me Gavin, what happened?” a police officer said, pulling out a chair and taking a seat in front of the male sitting across the metal table. His short dark brown buzz cut along with his pale skin twinkling under the dim light that hung over the table. His face was barely illuminated but you could tell he was staring at the officer with his hands clasped together on the table. “I told you everything already..” He said, his voice deep but shaky as if he'd been keeping his emotions at bay.

“I know that,” The officer said, his tone calming as he flicked through the pages on his clipboard before moving it to the side and focusing his attention on Gavin. “But, I need to hear it from you,” The officer said, scooting his chair closer to get a better look at Gavin.

Gavin stayed silent for a bit before bringing a hand to his forehead and leaning into it. He rubbed his index finger and his thumb along his temple trying to think. “Let's start from a good memory,” The officer said, leaning back into his chair. Gavin gently nodded and sighed deeply thinking back.

Mary and Thomas had gotten married.. I remember that day all too well. The morning was perfect for some reason the sun rose when Mary was walking down the aisle. Her smile was a brighter white than her dress was. However, you could tell that her makeup must've been reapplied so much from her crying so much. But, you couldn't really blame Mary.. She always cried.

There were no children allowed at this wedding so I was the flower boy following Mary down the aisle as I threw pink and red rose petals. Everyone was looking at me and snickering. I couldn't blame them. The men were the ones wearing pink and the women wore red. No one had ever seen me in a different color besides black up until that day. My hair was much longer at that time too so I had to wear it in a bun.

Tom stood there at the altar, he'd always been a strong man so he stood there smiling at Mary with this warm smile. He didn't cry, didn't shed one tear. Tom may have been a jerk from time to time but I'm sure he was levitating on the inside to see Mary like that.

Once Mary was standing in front of Tom I took a seat in the empty chair in the front. I looked to my side, seeing an empty seat. I let out a sigh knowing that the seat was meant to be reserved for my best friend who at the time was known as Jewel. I gently shook my head knowing she might've had a family emergency. At that time her mother was suffering from cancer. She hadn't told anyone besides me and Mary so I went back to paying attention to the priest.

As much as I'd like to say time passed by quickly it didn't. The vows, the speeches, the prayers they took forever. I felt myself getting a wave of boredom as I sat in the chair. However, once I heard the magical words ‘You may kiss the bride’ being spoken I lifted my head smiling and clapped along with the crowd. Tom swooped Mary off of her feet and spun around with her as they both shared a smile and a kiss. He then walked back up the aisle with her in his arms as everyone threw rice at them.

The rice looked like gold with the rising sunlight and the camera flashes. The smiling faces really made the atmosphere seem.. Warm and welcoming. I genuinely felt a wave of comfort when I watched them smile so lovingly at each other. It's like I was back in high school watching them kiss and hold hands under the cherry blossom tree.

The wedding celebration took place at some venue. I remember standing along with the crowd that all took interest in the newly married couple. We smiled and shared jokes along with drinks and memories. I excused myself from the beaming crowd of people to get some fresh air. Being around people had always made me feel nauseous especially with drinks involved and I was already on my third glass of champagne.. It was careless of me since I had my final day as a taxidermy student the next morning.

As I stood outside looking at the now night sky I inhaled the warm air and swirled the champagne around in my glass. I stared at the parked cars while leaning on the brick wall before a familiar all black Cadillac with gold rims pulling into an empty space caught my attention. The windows may have been tinted but I could always tell who it was. The engine flicked off and out came a tall woman dressed in a red suit dress with black Prada heels specifically the red bottom ones. Her ginger hair was tied up in a neat bun and she wore these black gucci sunglasses. She was decorated with jewelry and a singular pink and red gift bag.

“Bout time you showed up,” I said smiling at her but as she walked closer it looked like she'd been crying all day. “What's wrong?” I asked, pushing myself off of the wall and approaching her with a concerned expression. Jewel took off her sunglasses and I knew what happened without her explanation.. Her eyes were sunken; you could barely tell that they were green. There were deep red bags underneath her eyes and her face was cleared of any makeup. Her mother passed away that day.. A day that was celebrated was a day she mourned. “Jewel I'm so sorry,” I said, bringing my arms around her. She'd always smell so expensive but today I smelled the same perfume her mother wore.

“Gavin..” She said, embracing me gently and patting my back. “I don't have much time to stay long.. I just wanted to see Mary and Tom,” Jewel said, her voice hoarse and weak probably from crying so much. I nodded and pulled away from hugging her. “They're inside,” I said, patting her shoulder and smiling reassuringly “I'm sure they'd be happy you showed up,” I said watching as Jewel put her sunglasses back on while gently nodding.

We went back inside and it's almost like Mary's eyes turned into stars when she saw Jewel. “Jewel!” She exclaimed while quickly standing up. A smile curled up on Jewel's face as Mary started hurrying over. I took a step aside while allowing Mary to hug Jewel tightly. Jewel was the business one of the group we barely ever saw her. When we did we felt honored but it's always been that way. Once high school ended she moved to Thailand and started her own fashion business out there.

Tom soon came over with a glass of whiskey in his palm. He smiled and brought an arm around Mary “You missed the reception,” Tom said, his words slurred which made it a bit hard to understand him considering his deep country accent. “I know..” Jewel said, sighing and holding up the bag. “I unfortunately can't stay long but these are your gifts,” Jewel said, smiling sweetly. “Congratulations you two..” Jewel said, smiling at both of them with a heartfelt emotion.

Tom downed the rest of his liquor and stormed off with irritation “Nothing's changed,” He grumbled, while walking away. Mary huffed softly and glanced at Tom as he walked away. She shook her head gently before looking back at Jewel and taking the bag. “Don't mind him Jewel.. How's your mother?” Mary asked, softening her British accent, placing a hand on Jewel's shoulder. I could tell that Jewel was trying to hold it together the best she could in that very moment. Mary didn't need an answer “Oh my..” Mary softly gasped. Her blue eyes widened as she brought Jewel into a side hug.

I watched from a distance sighing softly and looking at my glass. A moment after that Jewel had left and an uncomfortable feeling lingered in the air between Mary and I. We both stood outside watching as her car got further and further. “I hope she'll be okay,” Mary said, sighing softly and turning her head towards me. I stood there. I'd be a liar if I were to say that I wasn't hurt. Jewel's mother is what brought our friend group a bit closer. I turned my head towards Mary and brought my arm around her shoulder. “She'll be okay. Jewel is as tough as nails,” I said reassuringly. Mary smiled at me then she nodded.

The night continued and soonly ended..

After that night it'd been a year since we'd all seen each other. I knew that Jewel went back to Thailand and she transitioned into a man out there. He sent me letters about his journey and about a woman that we knew in college. They'd apparently gotten together out there in Thailand. Mary and Tom moved to California to be closer to work.

Mary and I had stayed in touch well at least we tried. After a couple of months she hadn't called me or anything. I thought that our friend group was finally coming to an end.. But, I was proven wrong one gloomy morning..

I sat up blindly, flailing my hand around trying to find the alarm button. Once I found the button I pressed it and rubbed my eyes staring at the dimly lit room. Every part of me wanted to just lay back down in the bed but I turned to the side of the bed and pushed myself to the end. I quickly slipped on my black slippers and stood up yawning. I brought my hands to my face and rubbed it trying to wipe off the tiredness.

It was an important day.. My manager was gonna be giving me my final project as his apprentice. I had to be awake just to get his call because he'd always call at different times of the day. I'm guessing whenever he went to town and found a phone booth.

I remember being down stairs fixing myself some breakfast. I was listening to the news radio while stirring up a batch of pancake mix.

“In other news, scientists have been further studying the rapid disease spreading through animals including the pets at home.”

I stopped stirring and turned my gaze to the radio. I placed the bowl down and turned up the volume a bit to get a better listen.

“This disease has put New York City into a full quarantine. A woman was walking her dog when a rat came up and bit him in the leg. She described the rat to have missing patches of fur and skin.”

I raised my eyebrows before shaking my head “Mage..” I muttered before I could listen further. I flinched to the sound of the telephone loudly ringing. I turned my head towards it and sighed while turning the radio down and quickly grabbing the phone. I stretched the cord out to where the phone was touching my ear. “‘Bout time you called Danny I was worried you'd forgotten about me,” I said with a slight chuckle escaping my lips as I leaned on the counter. “Gavin..?” Said a female's voice on the other end. My eyes widened and I stood up straight “Mary..?” I muttered.

“Oh thank goodness you have the same number,” Mary said with a sigh of relief. “Y.. Yeah? What brings me the honor of being able to receive a call from you?” I had many questions I wanted to ask Mary but I kept them all bottled up just in case she needed my help. “Well Tom and I were thinking about getting the group back together to go camping,” Mary said, in a cheerful and excited tone. I wasn't necessarily the camping type so I went a bit silent.. “You know I'm not fond of camping, Mary,” I said, gently tapping my fingers on the counter. “I know I know..” Mary started, “But it'd be really fun and it'll be a surprise at the end of it for you guys,” Mary said giggling softly.

I sighed and shook my head with a slight smile on my face. “Give me a moment to think about it.. I'll get back to you on that thought,” I said, rubbing the side of my neck with a nervous smile. It wasn't because I didn't want to go, it was mainly because I had such a huge project to do for my manager. Then again hearing about this disease made me feel a tad bit uncomfortable. Mary sighed “Okayy make sure to call me back,” Mary said, a small sigh leaving her. We said our goodbyes and hung up the phone. I rubbed the side of my neck before grabbing the bowl.

The phone started buzzing again and I sighed knowing exactly who it was. I picked up the phone “Hey Danny you're calling pretty late,” I said snickering and tilting my head to hold the phone between my ear and shoulder. “Hey Gavin…” Danny started, I knew something was completely off about his mood. When he'd answer the phone he'd always start off with a joke.. I also never heard Danny call me by my actual name; it'd always been “Manny” since he and I were alike. “What's up?” I said, mixing the pancake mix a bit more before placing the bowl down and grasping a pan.

“Listen, I know you've heard of this disease running wild within these animals. It's driving my bosses up a tree,” Danny said, taking a deep sigh. “I just heard about it on the news. Is it really that bad Danny?” I said, placing the pan on the stove and standing up fully. I grasped the phone and moved it to my other ear “You see Manny your project involves a bear. And right now the news is saying that the disease has affected a lot of bears.” Danny said, I could hear the defeat in his tone. “What're you saying Danny?” I said, placing the pan down on the stove. “There's no hunters, hunting bears, Gavin. They're scared shitless of this disease.. Listen Manny we might have to redo your internship until this whole thing gets sorted out,” Danny said, he then fell silent.

The silence between us was heavy, something you'd feel in a life or death situation. “Danny, I'm not retaking this internship.” I said, grasping the phone. “I'll hunt a bear myself then donate its parts to science so that they can figure it out.” I said, firmly.. That final was everything to me. It was my closest step to becoming a taxidermist and owning my own shop..

Danny just sighed “Listen, kid, I don't need you catching anything.. But you're determined so I'll allow it as long as you donate the important parts to the lab.” Danny said, sighing gently. I could hear the stress in his voice as he spoke but I didn't care. “You got it, Danny. I won't disappoint you,” I said, letting out a sigh of relief. Once the call ended I started to complete cooking breakfast with a lingering thought in my mind: how was I going to get a bear?

Then a very dissatisfying thought came to mind as I was plating my meal.

“You're coming?!” Mary exclaimed happily over the phone. I stood there with a blank expression not wanting to go at all. My stomach twisted and turned at the very thought of going camping. “Yeah..” I said, trying my hardest to sound excited for Mary knowing how much this would mean to her.

Gavin leaned back in his chair, sighing and crossing his arms. The officer swiftly wrote down everything he said while nodding gently. “So that's what led up to you guys going to Yellowstone?” The officer asked, briefly looking up to try and catch a glance of Gavin's face. But the lighting wouldn't allow it.. Gavin nodded “Can I get a cigarette?” He asked, his leg nervously shaking.

“Of course,” The officer said, his voice gentle as he grabbed his clip board and stood up. Once the officer left the room it was insanely silent. Gavin sat there staring at the table gently tapping his foot on the ground.

Once the officer returned with cigarettes and a lighter he approached Gavin. He took a glance at his feet, noticing one was chained. Then the officer finally caught a glimpse of Gavin's face. The left side was completely covered by a shadow while the right was slightly illuminated.. There was a huge scar on his face. It started at the top of his forehead and ended at his jaw. His right eye was completely white.. His eyebrows were arched making him look like he was more angry than anxious.

Gavin lifted his hand for the cigarette and lighter. The officer placed both in his hand before going back around the table and taking his seat once more. The officer cleared his throat trying to let go of the horrifying sight he saw. He looked at the files of Gavin noticing how different he looked. The room started to smell like cigarette smoke as Gavin inhaled and exhaled the smoke.

“Take me back to the reunion. Let's return to the good memories,” The officer said, going through the files and looking at the horrifying images that were being presented to him. Gavin exhaled more smoke and thought to himself.