Episode 5

--Alexandria POV--

I never really thought about the afterlife.

I didn't even know if it was real.

John believed in it- he said that he didn't want to think death was the end and that the afterlife is somewhere good people get to go. He was a good person so I knew he'd go there.

But what about me? Was I a good person? Did I deserve to go to the afterlife?

When John and I would talk about the afterlife, I would imagine a bright place with angels and lots of smiles, somewhere I wouldn't have to feel lonely or be in pain.

I have to say... I didn't think I would wake up after death to hear Ryder's ear-ringing squealing. Was that some sort of awakening thing?

Ugh. I was tired.

My body was heavy, I couldn't feel anything, I couldn't open my eyes and there was this horrible itching in my throat.

I hunched over then, body racking as I released a fit of coughs, narrowly opening my eyes to see water gushing out of my mouth.

This seems Deja Vu.

Then I heard Ryder's squawk again and snapped my head up to see him sitting in front of me, an angry glare on his feathery face.

"What? Did you die with me?" I questioned curiously.

He squawked again, this time in denial and I took the chance to look down at myself to see that I was soaked. So... I wasn't dead? I was alive... but how?

The squeals answered my question and I turned to see the silhouettes of jumping dolphins in the distance as they laughed, swimming away. So they saved me? Well, that explains it.

I guess making friends with the dolphins paid off.

I released a heavy sigh, sitting up properly as I stared at the water, feeling my heart pick up its pace at the thought of what would have happened to me if those dolphins didn't save me.

What was I thinking!? I had gone mad.

I turned to the side to see John still lying there and his body had started to slip into the water as the tide began to move in closer. Quickly, I ran and pulled him out, patting the wet sand off of his face where I then just rested my hands on his cheeks. His cold cheeks which once seeped with warmth along with the rest of his body.

"I'm sorry for doing that John. I won't do it again..." I whimpered out, leaning forward to place a soft kiss on his cold forehead. "I love you too," I smiled sadly.

My knight in shining armour.

After that, I berried him in front of our tree house, in front of a large tree that we used to always climb for fun. With a small rock, I scraped his name as neatly as I could onto the bark of the old tree.

'In loving memory of Johnathon Marlowe, a best friend. A man who lived to the fullest despite what little he had. Rest in peace,'

"I won't ever forget you, John. I love you," I smiled, running my fingers over his name.

Ryder came to land on a low hanging tree branch and I stared at the bandage on my shoulder. The memory of Ryder trying to pull me away from death flashing through my mind.

I'd have a permanent scar but it was a reminder to me of how Ryder tried to save me.

"Thanks, boy," I moved my hand to stroke his head. "I don't know what I would do without you," I complimented to which he squawked, proud of himself and I coughed out a small laugh. I guess it's just you and me now.

"Our family of three is now a family of two," I mumbled.

"Or it's still a family of three since no one can ever replace John... and if what he said is true, then he'll always be with us, right?" I sniffed back my tears, turning to look at Ryder who squawked in agreement.

Hours later, I was stood on the shore watching a sunset for the first time without John being by my side.

It felt weird.

"What am I supposed to do now?" I mumbled to myself.

As the sun fell behind the horizon and the island was covered in darkness, I made my way back to the tree house where I climbed onto the roof, leaning down to gaze up at the sky.

There was nobody beside me, I couldn't hear someone's breathing, I couldn't snuggle up to anyone.

I was truly alone.

***---***---***

John didn't know that I told Alpheus to never come back but it didn't matter now since Alpheus wouldn't come back and John is gone.

I had never been lonelier but thankfully, I had Ryder and the other animals.

Smiling was a lot more difficult than it used to be... but I'm trying.

Since death didn't want me yet, I have to manage to get by alone.

I continued to study alone and train alone and even though my brain is rapidly filling up with information, the empty feeling in my chest isn't going anywhere.

I sat in front of John's headstone as I read through a book on business but was interrupted by the loud cackling of my Eagle friend. Turning my head to look at him, annoyed, he came diving towards me, landing on the ground as he continued to squawk as if trying to tell me something.

"What is it, Ryder?" I asked curiously but instead of replying he got up and started to fly and I got the idea that he wanted me to follow. So I got onto a tree and jumped, swinging from vine to vine before landing on a tree which stood at the border to the beach.

My breath hitched, eyes widening at the sight in front of me.

"No. Way," I muttered out, not sure if I should believe what I was seeing or not.

It was a ship but more specifically it was a Lysandra ship. I told Alpheus to never come again and I didn't expect him to but alas, here he was- or his ship for that matter. I couldn't see anyone specific.

I stared intently while the front of the ship came undone and it protruded forward, revealing those familiar white steps but it wasn't Alpheus standing at the top of them as I had expected.

"Who's he?" I mumbled out curiously.

I didn't move from my place on the branch as he walked down the steps with such grace. He looked like he was searching for something but the question was- What?

He reached the bottom of the steps as his head tilted around, taking in his surroundings, hands tucked into his pockets and a frown etched across his face.

But like magnets, as if drawn to one another, his eyes drifted over to mine and I felt my breath instantly hitch.

That hard gaze, those silver eyes that didn't let you move once caught- had succeeded in catching mine and I don't think he was planning on letting me go any time soon.

"We have two choices. 1) Runaway and hide or 2) Face him. What is it, Ryder? I'm voting for one," The eagle squawked his disapproval as he beat his wings, flapping towards the strangers patiently awaiting figure.

"I really don't want to do this," I mumbled out as I grabbed onto a vine before jumping off of the tree and out into the open where I landed a few feet away from him and only now did I realise how much of an imposing figure he had.

He didn't look like he was meant to be standing in the middle of a beach, dressed in the shiny black suit, he looked like he had better things to do but the question still remains, who is he?

He stood waiting for me as I took a few hesitant steps towards him until I was standing directly in front of him, arms folded nervously behind my back and I had to tilt my head back to even meet his gaze.

He held himself with pride and was taller than my 5 ft'6 figure, maybe 6 ft'2 if I compared him to John's 6' height, either way, he was tall and not just tall, he had a large build, his shoulders double the size of mine and a broad chest.

He had raven black hair which was neatly pushed back, showing off his forehead, a sharp jawline littered with stubble and pink lips. His long eyelashes almost cast a shadow over his cheek.

Then there were his eyes.

Those penetrating silver eyes which made me feel like some sort of prey. I've never seen a wolf before but I'm imagining that they would resemble him in some ways.

And I thought Alpheus had been intimidating. Man, was I wrong?

"Who are you?" I finally decided to ask.

He hummed, staring down at me as I waited for him to answer.

"My name is Valentino," He smoothly replied with a deep voice that left shivers spiralling down my spine and it took some time for me to even process his words.

Why does that name sound so familiar?

But then it hit me- like a ton of bricks just falling onto me and jolting the memory in my head.

"You're Valentino. Alpheus's first son," I stated, surprised to say the least. What was he, of all people, doing here? On a deserted island.

"Correct," And why do I shiver every time he opens his mouth?

"What are you doing here?" I asked curiously.

"Where's that friend of yours?" He replied with his own question. "Johnathon Marlowe, I believe his name is," Valentino specified. Why does he want to see John?

"He's- He's not here," I decided to answer. It wasn't false.

"I need to talk to him. Would you kindly tell him to come?"

"I'm sorry but I can't do that," I mumbled out as respectfully as I could, not allowing myself to meet that gaze of his.

He grunted in annoyance.

"I told you to tell him to come here. Don't make me repeat myself," He said it quietly but it couldn't have been more threatening.

"I can't," I could feel my heart shaking as I said that.

"I said I don't like-" I snapped my head up, meeting his steely gaze with my own angered ones.

"I don't bloody care what you don't like! I said I can't and that means I can't. You think I don't want to tell him to come here. I do! But I... can't..." I drifted off, instantly regretting that I burst like that at him.

Oh dearie me. Now I've gone ahead and done it.

John, I hate to admit it but I feel like I'll be joining you in the afterlife sooner than you would probably have liked.

Ryder squawked as he flew behind the trees to safety, once again leaving me alone. Is that the same Eagle that tried to save me from death?

"What are you talking about?" Valentino asked in a low voice.

I was hesitant but breathed in a sigh and nudged my head towards the trees, gesturing for him to follow me.

"Come with me," I didn't wait for him to follow but thankfully, I heard the sound of his feet trudging against the sand as he walked behind me.

It wasn't a long walk but once the tree house was in sight, I felt my once heavy heart begin to lighten and I began walking towards the tree where John's body lay under the dirt, his name engraved on the bark of the said tree.

I came to a halt in front of it, smiling down for a moment at his name.

"This is why," I shakily started, gulping down a deep breath when I felt Valentino's rigid figure standing beside mine as he read the words on the tree.

'In loving memory of Johnathon Marlowe, a best friend. A man who lived to the fullest despite what little he had. Rest in peace,'

"When did he pass?" He asked quietly, voice almost filled with guilt.

"A few months ago. He inherited a disease from his mother- wouldn't tell me which one but it surfaced 2 years ago after laying dormant for so long and he didn't want treatment," I explained.

"You've been alone since then?" He questioned, eyes diverting towards me. I was unable to meet his gaze and instead only nodded my answer.

"Why are you here?" I decided to try and change the subject by asking the same question from a few minutes ago.

"To try and convince you to return to Lysandra with me," He said simply, putting his gloved hands into his pockets.

"And are you going to try to convince me?" I asked, finally turning my head to meet his gaze which I instantly regretted because now I couldn't look away.

He shook his head.

"Why not?" I raised a brow.

"If you had wished to come then you would have done so already. Father sent me since I can convince anyone to do what I want if I set my mind to it but I won't do that to you," He explained.

I hummed in response to his words but wondered what he meant by when he said to 'live a proper life'. What's a proper life? Have I not been living a proper life up until now?

"However, it seems that the very reason you stayed on this island is now gone..." He added cautiously and it was obvious that he was referring to John.

He was right though. John is what made this island my home and now that he's gone, this island is just a place I live in. It's only a memory holder of all the moments I spent here.

"I think I'll go," I caught him by surprise.

He did a good job at hiding it though but I was able to tell as he released a fake cough, being the one to break the eye contact and look ahead.

"May I ask why?" He questioned after a short moment.

"Simple. I don't have anything left here and it was John's last request for me to go live in Lysandra. I have to at least try," I chuckled lightly.

There was a long moment of silence again.

"Very well then. We shall leave tomorrow. If there's anything you want to bring tell me now so I can get the guards to retrieve it. Don't worry about clothes though- we have plenty on the boat that is more civilised to be seen in than what you have,"

"Then there's nothing," I replied.

Ryder decided to interfere then as he came squawking at Valentino, landing on my shoulder. "Other than Ryder," I said, gesturing to the Eagle who nodded in agreement. He'll probably regret coming with me but we'll never know and I'm not going to complain since he's my one and only friend.

Valentino stood there, staring at Ryder who sat on my shoulder before he finally asked: "Doesn't it hurt?" I was confused for a moment. "The Eagle's talons. They're digging into your skin. Doesn't it hurt?" He specified, not meeting my eyes as his gaze was focused on the said eagle's claws that were comfortably resting in my skin.

I took a moment to process his question before I shook my head in reply.

"I got used to it," And it was true.

The first time Ryder sat on my shoulder, I had screamed in pain and shooed him away but he continued to do it all the time and slowly, very slowly, I had grown used to it up to the point where I had grown numb to it.

John wasn't very happy about that and most of the time he would put a leaf or piece of cloth on my shoulder but it would always slip off and he eventually stopped doing anything since I stopped minding and Ryder was very stubborn.

Valentino sent me an odd look but snapped out of his trance quickly. He seemed to be deliberating something in his mind as his eyes were staring at the skin on my shoulder with a narrowed, intense gaze until a single blink got rid of it all.

He stood back up straight and spun around, sparing a short glance at John's name before walking a few steps away from me, in the direction that we had come from.

"Goodnight then. We leave at sunrise, don't be late," Valentino turned his head and our gazes locked once more.

We simply stood there in silence for what seemed like hours, simply staring at the other's eyes until Ryder squawked loudly and snapped us both back to reality.

"Alright," I nodded slowly.

No more words were exchanged and he continued on his way, back to the ship that he had come from and the very ship that would be taking me to civilisation after so many years.

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