Azun:

It was all a trick. A magic trick.

"We are gathered here today because somebody," Dustan looked at my closed coffin. "Couldn't stay alive."

It was important I stayed right where I was, hidden in the line of trees, where no one can see me, but I can see all of them.

"Earth was his gift." Larkin took the stage, saying her fair wells. "Even though he didn't do much, he did set an example to the rest of us of what not to do."

The one who shot me, Larkin, doesn't speak the rest of the evening. As far as everyone knows I committed suicide, let's keep it that way, it will help my cover up.

"Azun was very secretive about his emotions." Aspen stated. "It was no wonder why he died."

What's that suppose to mean Aspen?

"His suicide was uncalled for." Jasper mumbles.

"It was absolutely devastating." Emler looks at my cold empty coffin.

Next up was the longest speech, Ames. That double crossing little brother that stole my job, loaded the the gun, watched as I died then threw my body into a river to wash away his tracks. Why was this boy in tears at my funeral?

"Azun." Ames spoke to himself, ignoring the little audience I had, continuing like he was talking with me. "To you, to your life, to your death. It is your brother, Ames, talking to you now. I hope you can hear me wherever you go after you die. I don't know if their is a Heaven or a-" He stops not wanting to think about that place. "But it's long time I give you the spotlight, the credit, the only thing you're better that then me. Being remembered. I won't forget you, but I know everyone will forget me, but not you. I promise to always remember you, not just in my mind but also my heart." He pulls a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe away his tears, streaming down his face. "So, to you brother. From your lesser brother. I hope you are happy wherever you are, maybe you are with Nathaniel and Vestry."

Nathaniel is not dead. Don't tell me he is dead. My little brother is not dead.

"I hope that you can try to visit." Ames continues. "But above all I hope that you are satisfied wherever you are."

What the heck am I suppose to say to that? He loaded the gun, he cocked the gun, the only thing he didn't do was pull the trigger. My self-stitched stitches are pulling at my skin, I did a crappy job, but can you blame me? All I had was a fishing hook and some grass, I'm surprised it held to be honest.

"To Azun!" Ames leads the crowd in Malison's funeral chant.

"To Azun!" The crowd repeats after him.

"To his life!"

"To his life!"

"To your celestial glory."

"The hope that you are on high."

"We all hope-"

"That you are destined to be where you are."

"Life or death, always succeed!" They chanted together.

The crowd applauded, we believe the dead can still hear that we remember them if we applaud loud enough. Little do they know I can hear every word they say from my hiding place behind this tree. The dead are among us, we believe, the dead hear us. For once this has made sense in my life.

Ames. I think to myself. I am not satisfied where I am. I am not succeeding where I am. I am not dead.