“Grandmother, What’s death? Why does nobody ever come back?”

“It’s the end and the beginning,"

“I don’t understand”

I underestimated how good Lucas’ brother was at convincing people. I mean I heard from everyone he’s a smooth talker, and I actually knew that he’s excellent with words. But on occasions like this I’m torn between admiring and hating his talent. Though I have to give Lucas some credit, he’s the one who convinced his older brother. 

Blue. Calming vast azure. 

“As the waves washes over your sadness

It leaves an oddly still water

that’s deep and endless”

“What’s that?”

“Just a poem I made, Liam”

I’m now faced with Owen, Lucas’ older brother, who wasn’t using his usual delivery uniform. Instead he was wearing a black coat, pants, and boots which were thick, fitting for the oncoming autumn. With his casual clothes, he looked just like any other college freshman that had a knack for taking care of their body. He gave a charming smile, a smile that always reached his sapphire eyes, though only one was usually visible while the other got covered by his asymmetrical black bangs. 

When I see them side by side, I wonder how these contrasting entities are brothers. Lucas, in contrast to Owen, wore light clothing. He wore short sleeved shirts and short pants, I questioned how he wasn’t feeling cold. I had to wear a thick jacket and long pants to stop shivering. 

We walked through the pavement with Lucas’ enthusiastic chatter and Owen’s calm laughter. I stayed silent, only interjecting when they called out to me. 

“Sorry for intruding on your time, Owen,” I said when we arrived at the park. Owen, who's in the process of walking further stopped while Lucas dashed forward to the playground. 

“You don’t have to worry. It’s been a long time since I had some quality time with Lucas and I don’t mind his best friend's company,” he said it lightly with a chuckle. 

“About the urban legend, is the sighting the only thing said about it? Usually it comes with a story right?” I asked Owen. He seemed to hesitate for a bit before answering. 

“Well there’s a morbid background story. It’s said that both entity originated from an event that happened around here, where there was a woman trying to commit suicide and a man that tried to save her. As a punishment the woman was given the job to take away life, as that’s what she did right before her own death. While the man was given the job to give life, as a gift for trying to save a life before dying,” answered Owen. He gave a little nervous chuckle after seeing my horrified expression. 

“I thought you knew about it. It is quite a common chatter among children and teenagers,” he said again. 

“Well I’m not exactly a people person,” I said quietly and Owen hummed. 

“Still it would be quite nice to converse with some, even for an introvert,” he said. 

 Before I could reply, the sound of a loud thump diverted my attention to Lucas, who was rubbing his forehead after falling headfirst.

“Are you alright?” I heard Owen ask. Even when he seemed calm, he instantly moved to Lucas. I lagged behind Owen to see Lucas' condition. It seemed his forehead got scratched by a twig on the ground. 

“I’m fine! It hurts a bit though,” Lucas was mustering his sun-like smile. Owen frowned a bit, though it was hardly noticeable. But not a second later his lips turned upwards in a fond manner as he ruffled Lucas' head gently. 

“Of course it hurts, it’s bleeding,” I said to him as I offered my hand to him. He stood up and swept the dirt on his clothes. 

“I told you to be more careful-” Owen sighed “-I think you should sit first, just to be sure,” Lucas nodded. 

If any other person, including me, suggested that to Lucas, he would’ve brushed it off. But when it was Owen, he’s somehow so obedient. Owen, on the other hand, was always prepared. He brought a first aid kit. When I asked him why he brought it, he said that it is good to always be prepared for everything. 

“I think we need to get to our destination soon, I wouldn’t want to stay here for too long,” Owen said while his pale hands tended Lucas’ forehead. I hissed along with Lucas when Owen dabbed the alcohol to the wound. 

“Yeah! It’s almost twilight, we wouldn’t want to miss it!” said Lucas, almost hopping from the bench if Owen didn’t grab him. 

“You have to calm down first,” Lucas pouted but complied. 

We then walked into the alley which was quite empty if not for a girl who was covered in paint passing by us. 

Murky Brown. Unclear, Muddy. Filthy

“You’re so dirty.”

“I fell earlier, and it’s raining”

“I’ll clean you up. Actually, it’s not bad to get dirty, it connects you to mother nature, no? Just make sure you don’t get sick”

“Lily is that you?” I heard Owen say right beside me. The said girl looked towards us as she adjusted her braids. 

“Owen,” she greeted back, “It’s rare seeing you around here,” 

“I’m just accompanying these two little kids who're curious about the urban legend,” Owen took both my and Lucas’ shoulder while grinning. Lucas kept asking who she was but Owen shushed him. 

“Always the pushover,” she scoffed and turned away from our direction and waved her hands “Well good luck on your endeavor,” 

I felt the hand on my shoulder tighten. When I lifted my head to see Owen, he furrowed his eyebrow as if thinking of something. 

“Should I tell Henry about your whereabouts?” he asked and Lily stopped in her tracks. 

“Do whatever you want. You’re his best friend, it’s only right for you to call him right now and tell him where I am right now,” she said without turning her body, only leaving her back visible. Owen shrugged. 

“I’ll tell him later. I don’t want to get involved too much in other people’s family affairs,” he replied and she huffed. 

“You do you,” 

Just before she went away, I saw a flash of black and white presence flashing. The black presence was cold and uncomfortable while the white was warm. The backlash of both sensations gave me goosebumps. 

“So who’s that Owen? Is she your girlfriend?” Lucas asked. That question surely flustered Owen because he gave a little yelp right after. 

“Wha- No. My girlfriend is someone my age. That person is the little sister of my friend,”  replied Owen. He then tapped my shoulder. 

“What’s wrong Liam?” he asked as I was still focusing on the two entities floating in front of the sunset. 

“Ah it’s nothing,” I said to Owen. Because somehow, I felt that it’s scary to talk about two random things that only I saw, in front of the said entities. 

“Anyways it’s too bad there’s nothing here hm?” Lucas interjected. That tempted me to say that there’s actually something, but I don’t want them to think I’m crazy. Or worse make them as scared as me right now. 

“Well it’s an urban legend, even if some see it doesn’t always apply to everyone-” Owen propped us forward “-anyways, let’s go home shall we?”

I nodded a bit too excitedly. As we walked, we passed through the hospital my grandmother was in. I lagged behind, staring at the said building. 

After a few steps the brothers seemed to notice that I wasn’t moving, as they stopped talking. Lucas then slung his arms around my shoulder and stared at the hospital for a second before bringing me towards Owen. 

“I’m pretty sure in the end everything will be alright,” said Lucas, an optimist like always. 

“Yeah, I hope so,” I said, maybe as a prayer. Because I couldn't afford to stay positive right now. When I stared ahead, I saw pity in Owen’s face. No, it’s probably sympathy. But as soon as he realized that I stared at him, he wiped off his previous expression with a smile. 

“Hey, how about we take a little detour to the steak restaurant?” offered Owen. 

I could hear Lucas’ happy jumps, and I too was pleased, it was our favorite food after all.

When I came home, my parent’s moods hadn’t improved from the day they argued, and so I chose to go to my bedroom, which I shared with Emmet. Right when I opened my bedroom door. Emmet tackled me, sobbing silently. I patted him lightly. 

“At least let me change my clothes, I’m dirty,” I said while pulling him into the room and guiding him to sit on his bed. After tidying up myself, and his mess, I listened to him. 

In short, my grandmother's sickness had gotten worse, our parents hadn't made up, and Emmet made a mess while trying to make a cake and got scolded. I’m at a loss of words, and I didn’t think Emmet wanted my reply anyways, he only wanted someone to accompany him. 

Thus, I came down the stairs at midnight to make Emmet some hot Cocoa. What surprised me was that Mommy had not gone to bed yet. 

“Liam, you’re not asleep yet?” asked Mommy. She looked exhausted, but I don’t think it was from her argument with Daddy rather because of grandmother. Daddy is a calm and rational person, even when they fight, it hardly results in something exhausting. 

“I wanted some hot Cocoa-” Mommy raised her eyebrows, probably because even though I like it, I don’t indulge in it unless there’s something.

“-It’s also for Emmet,” I explained and Mommy frowned. 

“I was too harsh on him, ” Mommy rubbed her temple and sighed. She stood up and heated up some water. 

“I’ll make the Cocoa, just sit Liam.” she commanded and so I complied. I watched how this dimly lit room made a lonely atmosphere, instead of the usual warmth that should be there in the dining room. 

“Liam,” I heard my mother call out to me from the kitchen. 

“Yes?” I croaked, it seemed that my throat was quite dry. 

“Do you want to come visit your grandmother tomorrow?” She sounded so sad. So pitiful and broken. When I didn’t give an answer, she continued.

“I mean, I know you don’t like the hospital, but your grandmother wanted to see you a-” 

“-I’ll come,” I blurted out to her almost instantly that my mind hadn’t really catched up. 

Mommy came with the two cups and I saw her beam. Mommy bid me goodnight as I went upstairs. 

I didn’t really know why I said yes even when it could lead to a big headache. Maybe it was because I wanted Mommy to cheer up, I wanted those happy times as a family back. But the other reason was something more subtle and abstract. 

I had a feeling that if I didn’t come, I would never meet my grandmother again.