It wasn't a dark and stormy night.

In fact, for an early March evening in Lapis city, it was astounding. The sky was a clear midnight black against shining stars, the air cool laced with a faint whiff of fresh-cut grass.

The park was not buzzing with crowds as Zach would've assumed. Was it a school night? Or there was a big game going on or whatever normal people did that kept them out of his way and him out of theirs.

As he wandered deeper, he passed a couple making out on what looked like a picnic blanket. Lost to passion, a basket toppled spilling pieces of toast, wrapped snacks and green apples. The blonde girl moaned when her partner gnawed on her lower lips. Zach wished he could avert his ears as well as his eyes.

But he didn't do it fast enough, the all too familiar pang of hate and jealousy crept up. While he passed for human, could walk, talk and fight like one; he wasn't. There would always be things out of grasp. Things like relationships, safety and...well living all by itself.

"I love you," the guy kissing the blonde said behind him.

What an imbecilic line, Zach thought. This time it was the realist in him talking, they'd break up in a few weeks or months tops. Not that he'd see it, but he'd seen enough of lovers turning in on each other. Tongues lashing where they've once caressed skin.

On the bench with the crooked back and an engraved butterfly under the seat, he found Michael waiting with a small cardboard box next to him. Just as Zach had instructed.

At the sound of Zach's footsteps, Micheal looked up. "Why the park?"

Because it had no walls, Zach thought. There were no shops inside or phone booths. It was not quite like being in a forest or high up a mountain yet there was a lingering sense of peace he couldn't find in a cooped-up apartment.

Zach shrugged and plopped himself between Michael and the box. "Why not?"

By what society deemed 'standard', the two men couldn't have looked any different. While Michael sported a button-down shirt and dress shoes, Zach didn't hide his piercings or the tattoos circling his arms and wrists. Where Michael's demeanor was amiable and open, Zach's was...hollow.

Sometimes they did get the occasional questioning glances before the stares moved on. They got along fine enough and for that, Zach was grateful.

"Didn't know you had it in you to show up on time," Michael said.

Zach scoffed, reaching to undo the silver clasp around his neck. The chain slipped down his shirt. For a moment he palmed the chain along with the locket holding it, relishing the feel of the metal one last time. He dropped them in the box. He wouldn't break.

"What're you doing?" Michael asked.

Zach didn't look up and took off the single earring next. "You can sell these or throw them away. Up to you."

"Hang on," Michael leaned closer, and Zach caught the smell of stale cigarettes. "Why are you glowing blue?"

Zach sighed and closed his eyes basking in the fleeting warmth. He could pretend it was already the summer he'd never see instead of the swansong of seasons. "I was worried it would rain."

"Hey," Michael snapped his fingers in front of Zach's face. "What the hell is going on?"

He heard the horror in Michael's voice, the guy wasn't stupid.

Zach swallowed the panic induced bile down his throat. There was no point in resisting the inevitable onslaught of the end. He couldn't stop his own demise, but he sure wasn't going to go out sniveling and weeping like a weakling.

Not again.

Zach looked at Michael. "I think you should leave."

The glowing blue embers danced along Zach's skin. The pain would soon follow and still Michael sat there not taking a hint.

"It's over. This is our final meeting."

Michael blinked. "When will you...come back?"

Zach tried to smile, and it came out in an ugly smirk. "If I come back."

He didn't expect the sinking ache that stabbed at his heart or Michael's awestruck gaze to turn melancholic.

"We could try—"

"There is nothing to be done."

"We haven't—"

"This is goodbye, Michael." Zach stood; tone flat. "Get lost."

The older man stood too and shook his head. "Alright. How about this?"

Zach's hands shook and he shoved them in the pocket of his dark jeans. Out of sight, out of mind. Time was running out. "What?"

Michael ignored the sharpness in his voice. "When you come back, come straight to the house." Zach opened his mouth and Michael held up a hand. "Come and then decide if you want to go threaten or shoot someone."

"Huh," Zach stifled a grunt. 

 "I mean..." Michael said. "Let it be a place for you until you settle in."

A sudden chill made Zach's spine stiffen. He curled his fists as a wave of agony rippled in his very bones. The shock of the beginning of the end always hurt no matter how much he prepared. His pulse raced and his vision blurred. The trees around him melted in hues of muddled browns and yellow. 

He was aware Michael had spoken over the deafening beat of his dying heart.

Through gritted teeth he asked, "Why would you help..."

"Are you alright?" Michael's form was getting closer.

No. He shouldn't be here. No one should. He wasn't some monster that deserved to be pitied.

"Get. Out." Zach spat.

"I—"

"Leave." Zach's breathing was growing shallow, the pain switching to full agony. "Now."

He didn't know how long it took Michael's fading form to walk away. Zach stood while his body quaked and the second he felt abandoned, his knees buckled.

He couldn't feel the earth beneath him nor hear the roar of traffic in the distance. He writhed, trying to keep from begging to a God that has long since condemned him.

He failed. Through clattering teeth, he begged for mercy. He pleaded for the torment to stop.

Too cold. Freezing.

Then he heard it. Distant sobs.

Were they for him? Did anyone care or miss him?

He tried to concentrate. Who? Where?

Then nothing.

The sobs were gone.

And so was he.