"In the mourning
I'll rise
In the mourning
I'll let you die."

The leaves rustle beneath my feet as I step out of the car. I close the door and walk towards the house. Autumn breeze makes me shiver, so I tightly clasp my coat. Just few more minutes and I will be in the warm covert.

I see her standing under the huge apple tree. I always loved that tree. Even more now when it reminds me of him.

She gives me a warm and welcoming smile. The breeze is gone.

I've reached the tree. She looks up at me, her eyes gleaming. The wrinkle between her eyebrows becomes more prominent. Please don't cry.

I bend down a bit. Her embrace feels warm and safe, like it always does. Will I ever be able to tell her how much do I love her? I close my eyes and try to engrave this moment deeply in my memory. Her grey curly hair smells like spring rain. She caresses my back and tells me it's okay.

But it's not. I don't want to leave her embrace. I don't think I'm strong enough to deal with the reality all over again.

I just don't want to let her go. Like I let go of him. Not even a simple 'Thank you.' even tough he much deserved it. Never telling him that I loved him. But did he know?

I open my eyes and glance over her shoulder. He is standing next to the doorstep, smiling at me.

This can't be. He can't be here. He is gone.

I straighten up, leaving the warmth of grandma's embrace. She looks at me and tells nothing, but I read her eyes.

I look back. He is still there. Wide smile shines on his face as if nothing had changed. Doesn't he know?

But I won't tell him. We won't tell him. He should be happy. Let him smile.

I glance at her. She is smiling back at him, barely holding back the tears.

So we agree. We won't tell him the truth.

I run to him right away, my eyes filled with tears I can hold back no longer. He laughs and spreads his arms and I jump into his embrace. I miss grandpa.

My eyes are wide open and I stare at the ceiling. I can feel the warm tickling down my cheek. The room is silent. So quiet I can hear the teardrop hit the pillow. But his laughter echoes in my mind. I can still see his smile.

But slowly, the echo mollifies.

Green of his eyes fades away.

Until it's all gone.

He is gone.

• • • • •

A/N: So this the first work in my collection of short stories! I hope you like it. Feel free to leave your opinion in the comments, feedback is always appreciated!