Slow repetitive gusts of wind flew through the night sky as the stars and the moon shone above, giving light to the dark galaxy beyond. Families lay asleep comfortably in their homes as the two boys from Kansas sat on a rooftop, snuggled in their hoodies and staring up at the beautiful horizon. School ended hours ago and it was now Saturday at twelve in the morning, Sam and Colby were both conscious of their surroundings. 

Their night was calm, peaceful even, as they stayed close to each other, leaving their worries from Friday behind and enjoying this. Sam was the one to ask Colby if he wanted to hang out even though he already knew the answer, and of course, Colby said yes as he wanted to get away from life for a little while and just lay in the arms of his best friend for a little--feel his embrace once again. 

With an arm wrapped around Colby's waist, Sam held the younger close to his chest, keeping him warm and safe from the wind that dared to get him cold. "Is Gage going to snitch on you again?" Sam asked softly, keeping his voice just above a whisper as he felt Colby snuggle into his chest slightly. 

Smiling, Colby shrugged, "Dunno... I don't think he will, but there's still a chance. " He stated simply, knocking it off his worries as he didn't really care what the aftermath of this night would look like; He was too focused on this moment with Sam, too comfortable to let his mind race.

"We should probably be more careful about sneaking off..." Sam sighed, reaching up and tangling his fingers into Colby's soft, brown locks. He massaged the area gently, a small hum escaping the brunette who lay on his chest.

"Maybe," Colby said, "Then again, we never get caught. I think it's fine as long as we just keep sneaking out of our windows." He finished, making Sam chuckle a little.

Comfortable silence fell over the two boys as they didn't feel the need to talk. Laying in each other's arms felt good enough, almost normal as they did it all of the time. It honestly took a lot of stress off their shoulders which gave it a better power. 

As the wind continued, Colby spoke up quietly, "What do you think happens when we die?"

Taken off guard, Sam laughed. "Woah, that was quick."

Rolling his eyes with a smile, Colby hit Sam gently, earning a yelp from the blonde. "No, but actually, what do you believe in?"

The older male took a moment, thinking--he didn't really believe in anything. Life was Sam's main focus, he'd worry about dying later. Shrugging, Sam said, "I don't really believe in anything." 

Colby opened his mouth to say something but then paused, taking a second to think about it. 

With a quiet and genuine voice, Colby asked, "Why don't you believe in anything?"

Pulling Colby closer to his chest, Sam held him tightly, feeling the warmth of the brunette boy on his chest. It was grounding.

"It's just..." Sam trailed off before regaining his words. "There never was a reason to believe."

Colby hummed, snuggling into Sam's chest once again. "Well, you should think about it." Colby whispered with a small smile. "I think it'd affect you in a good way."

"Maybe," Sam sighed. "I think about it, okay?"

The brunette just nodded.

.

.

.

Where the hell is he?

The weekend was over and Sam was patiently waiting for his best friend to arrive at school as he was already there, alone. Sam hadn't heard from Colby since Saturday, which was unusual for the brunette as Colby always answered his texts no matter the circumstance. Millions of times, Sam tried reaching out to Colby's parents but had no luck as they didn't respond to anything.

It felt like Colby was gone forever, and Sam missed him even though he was okay.

The brunette would always be okay.

Colby's okay.

"He's fine, Sam..." Sam mumbled to himself as he slammed his locker shut, locking it quickly and walking to the bench he and Colby met up at every morning. Sitting down, Sam felt as if someone was pressing on his stomach, a knot tightening every time he tried to breathe. It was just off. Something felt off.

Sam couldn't pinpoint it--it was just something that he couldn't describe.

But it hurt, whatever it was.

Minutes passed by and students continued to walk and laugh with their friends, making Sam feel worse. A small sigh escaped Sam's lips as the bell rang, leaving him hopeless.

Colby was nowhere to be seen.

At least he'd see Colby tomorrow...

Right?

.

.

.

As the door creaked open, Sam slung off his backpack and placed it on the wooden floor. He took off his shoes and kicked them to the side before making his way to the kitchen, an unsettling feeling sinking in his gut. Grabbing a glass from the cabinet, Sam went to turn around and-

"Woah! Jesus Christ, dad..." Sam yelped, not expecting to see his dad stand awkwardly with a solemn expression on his face in front of him. Eyebrows furrowing, Sam noticed the air shifting, noticed the way his dad didn't react.

"Sorry, Sam..." Words seemed to get caught in his father's throat. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

Sam nodded hesitantly, placing his glass down and leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. "I'm listening..." Sam said uneasily as if his statement was a question.

Sam's dad gulped before sighing, looking directly into Sam's eyes with a hurt expression. "Listen, son..." He started, pausing slightly before continuing. "I don't want you to take this... hardly."

Sam tightened his arms that were crossed against his chest.

"Colby's parents, uhm, dropped off a note today." Spoke his father sadly, making Sam's heart thump faster in his chest, banging on it harshly. 

Pulling out a note from his pocket, Sam's dad passed it to him, a small letter seeming to be the object. Quickly, Sam opened it, reading intently and urgently as his heartbeat grew faster and faster--palms sweating, knees feeling unstable, breathing picking up.

For the Golbachs,

This weekend has been a heavy part of our life and we're all hoping that Sam doesn't deal with the same grief we did. Our son and the best friend of Sam has passed away. We just wanted to let you know that. Sam, we're sorry. You have every right to grieve. 

Tears pricked at Sam's eyes as his hands began to shake, feeling a sob clog in his throat and threaten to break out.

Colby would've wanted you to live a happy life. Don't let his death ruin that for you, Sam. Promise us you'll live on without him, but never forget him.

Take care.

And just like that, Sam crashed to the floor, sobbing. His body shook with sobs and cries of agony, his father rushing to his side, comforting him as best as he could. 

Colby's dead?

He can't be dead.

He can't be!

"H-He can't be dead! No, no, this isn't happening!" The blonde cried, gripping his hair tightly in terms of trying to manipulate himself into believing Colby was alive.

He isn't.

"He d-didn't deserve this, h-he didn't deserve death!"

The sobbing and rapid breathing didn't stop.

"C-Colby's... gone."

And Sam knew he would be soon too.

.

.

.

The rope that hung from the ceiling fan called out to Sam and tried bringing him in closer. He didn't fight it off, succumbing to it, drawing closer to the fan and the chair that stood beneath it. Shakily, Sam stood on the chair, his expression numb; His eyes were red, puffy, and his wrists were just pools of blood. 

He wasn't going to make it regardless.

Gusts of wind from the window moved his curtains, and Sam's eyes averted over to the moon that stayed plastered brightly in the sky. 

Sam's eyes widened as he saw...

The blood loss must have been getting to him, huh?

How... how was Colby there?

Sitting on his window, the brunette sat happily with a smile on his face and a bright ring around his head, glowing beyond him.

A shaky sob escaped Sam as he jumped off the chair, running to the angel that sat on his window sill. Sam wrapped his arms around his waist instantly, holding him tightly as he sobbed into his chest. A sad smile appeared on the brunette's face as his fingers caressed through Sam's hair gently, kissing the top of his head lightly.

"It's time, Sam."

Letting go gently, the blonde nodded, looking up at Colby with determination and sadness. 

As he got onto the chair, Colby watched painfully, watching as Sam got closer to his death by each second. Sam out his head through the noose and looked back at Colby with a sad smile one last time, tears pricking his eyes.

"Guess... there's a reason to believe now..." He whispered, seeing Colby's nod of approval.

Lastly, Sam whispered, "See you up there?"

"See you up there."

With a kick of a chair, Sam's beliefs changed.