This is the first that I've attempted to write a one-shot/sad story. I have to say that I am quite happy with myself. While I was reading it, it was just so sad…
Disclaimer: James Patterson would never bring such cruelty to such innocents…
I held Iggy to my chest as closely as I could, my sobs echoing through the darkness of the world. The Flock was crying loudly, wailing like banshees, and even Fang was dripping with tears silently. On my knees, I prayed that I was just having a bad dream… a bad dream, and nothing more.
"This wasn't what was supposed to happen! Why? Why? Tell me, you cruel bastards! Just tell me why!" I shouted in a fierce anger to the night sky, standing up, leaving Iggy's prone form on the ground.
The Flock was crying so softly, the world around me quickened, lightened. A voice. I heard a voice. It was small, but it was there. Iggy…oh, Iggy. If only you knew…If only we knew…
"Max…?" His voice was hoarse and he sounded scared, frightened. We can't cry in front of him…maybe he doesn't know it yet…
"R-right here, Ig. I-I'm here." I dropped back down to my knees. I tried to keep a brave face – I didn't want to scare him even more than I already had – and bit back a terrible yawning grief.
"I feel…different, Max. It's so…strange, this…feeling. It's like I-I'm sort of light…and it's bright. A light... No! Lots of…lots of lights…yeah…" he trailed off, and a new look of awe overcame him. He seemed oblivious to his surroundings except for something that only he could see, beyond us.
"Don't leave us, Iggy! We love you…w-we love you s-so much…" cried Gazzy. Nudge sniffed loudly and Angel sobbed. Fang was crouched near us. Total was weeping and shaking.
Suddenly Iggy's expression changed. Bewilderment. It was like someone had removed a large film from his eyes. His sparkling blue eyes widened. His voice was like sandpaper: scratchy and coarse. He spoke in a whisper, but his actual words were deafening.
"The stars…I can see the stars…"
"Yes. They're beautiful tonight, aren't they, Iggy?" I sad softly, tears dripping onto the soft grass, small pearly drops hitting the twisting green plain.
"Stars…"
And, with that one last breath, his soul had fled.
Please tell me what you think.