~11 months before his death~

New Years Eve was like every other December night, cold, and dark.

Haley and Emerson were walking down the empty streets of a small town, in Nevada. The cold winds made being outside almost miserable since the suns heat was present most of the year.

Emerson noticed that Haley was shivering, he took off his jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She looked up at him and smiled but it disappeared moments later. Tears had built up in her eyes, she didn't even know what made her want to cry.

Emerson looked down at Haley and pulled her closer. She held onto him and began to cry, Emerson just stayed silent and held her tightly as she cried. He didn't demand to know why she was upset, he knew better than to ask.

"I'm sorry..." Haley sighed, her voice was shaking and nearly inaudible.

"It fine, Hal," he said softly.

"Things are hard, you know," she sighed quietly.

"I know they are, but tomorrow marks a new year, it'll be a restart for you." He reminded her.

She nodded, "thank you, Emerson."

They walked around for a while talking about what they would do in the future. Not too long later they came across a small festival, Emerson smiled looking at it.

"You wanna see what this is all about?" Emerson asked, he hoped it'd make her feel better.

"Sure." Haley laughed, mesmerized by the lights and people.

Emerson pulled out an old Polaroid camera, a smile on his face as he led her into the festival, striking up a conversation with her.

There was a small stage within the festival, Emerson smiled remembering how much Remington loved to sing. He looked back at Haley and took her hand. She looked back at him, hoping he was right about this next year being a restart for her. Yet nearly a year after that night, things went downhill.

"I always imagined Remington being up there," Emerson said as he pointed at the stage, "he's a pretty good singer, he just doesn't like singing in front of people that much. When he does he's like a different person. It's insane how passionate he is about it."

Haley nodded, and they continued to walk, the lights of the festival leading them in the dark.

Now it was 12am, Emerson looked at the camera he held a small smile on his face.

"Hey Haley?" Emerson asked, "you wanna get some photos, to celebrate the new year?"

"Yeah," Haley smiled, she knew it'd be fun so she agreed to get some photos with him.

Emerson looked around for a good place to take the photo at. Emerson spotted somewhere and led Haley there. They both laughed about how immature they must have seemed running around the area.

"Stand right there," Emerson said as he pointed to a tree.

Haley nods smiling at him. He stood and took a photo of her and showed her it once it came.

"Do you want me to take a photo of you guys together?"

Both her and Emerson agreed. And once the photos were taken the girl handed him the two photos and the camera. Although they didn't get her name they both thanked her and were glad she took the photos.

And later that night, once they both had gotten home, Emerson laid in bed and held the photo. He knew he wouldn't be able to sleep so he got out of bed and turned on the light.

He sat down at his desk, the photo in his hand. He grabbed a marker and wrote on the photo.

'New Years, 2015'

After that, he got up and pulled the box out from under his bed. He sat the photo in there before he pushed it back under there only for it all to be discovered nearly a year later.

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This chapter was a great break from all of the gloominess within this story. It also opens up a door to Emerson and Haley's relationship. Although the past has some good times in this story both of their pasts are anything but that.

I'm probably not supposed to be saying everything about this story but you'll see more about what I'm sayin in chapter 5, which will hopefully be a full length chapter. 😂