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It is a cloudy day at Ericson, the sun slightly peeking out from behind the fluffy clouds. Violet
was seated on the steps of the admin building, adjusting her eyepatch to make it more comfortable. Most of the kids were still asleep, leaving Violet with the three other early birds.
Omar stirs up the pot in preparation for breakfast. Assisting him was Clementine cleaning out the bowls and utensils. Willy climbs the ladder to his post, now armed with a more advanced crossbow.
Similar to the one Minerva had back on the boat. Everything was so different now.
Four months have passed since Delta raided the school. Since being held hostage on that damn boat, learning the truth about Minerva and Sophie. Despite the circumstances, she still had faith in Minerva.
Had she not followed Minnie to the boiler, believing in her idiotic plan to stop the bomb. Then, maybe...
The sudden breeze in the air caused Vi to grip her vest, trying to get warm. Autumn is coming.
Violet mentally reminded herself to put on the sweater she kept in her closet next time.
The sweater that Brody had made for her…
“You didn't even like Brody! You were always mean to her.” Willy argued.
Willy was right, She was mean to her.
“Because you make it weird, Brody tries and you just make fun of her,” Clementine stated.
Clementine's comment annoyed her. But, she knew it was the truth.
“You know, I've been thinking…” Said Brody.
"I wish we all could go on a road trip together.”'
“Road trip? Why bother?” Violet asked, unamused.
“It's not like there is anything worth seeing anymore.”
Flying away with Brody, from this chaotic world is one of her recurring dreams, if only this one could come true.
“C'mon Vi, live a little!”
What does it take to feel alive?
Violet hated herself. For the times she treated Brody poorly, giving her false hope when she kept living in those fantasies. Dreaming big when they couldn't. Turning down simple runs to missing the opportunity to talk, have an actual conversation, and rebuild the friendship they once had. Instead, Vi would always give her a hard time.
She would give anything to see that beautiful smile of Brody's, and those comforting crystal blue eyes. She would lose herself.
“Shit.”
Her eyes glanced towards their graveyard. Recalling all the loved ones they have lost.
Brody, Marlon, Sophie, Tenn, Minnie-
“No. Don’t think about her.”
“Breathe…”
Breathe.
Those were the exact words her grandmother would tell her to do. Whether Violet was afraid or angry. To relax her mind, it only works for a little while though.
Violet would still have flashes of that night. There was so much blood... They could not recognize Brody. He did this to her with no hesitation, it was out of spite. Vi wished she had done more. Asked more questions about the twins. Anything!
Everyone was a wreck that night. Louis, especially, has no closure as to why his best friend would ever give up his family. In exchange for safety. Being lied to for a whole fucking year, that night left nothing but scars.
Violet had not realized it. She now found herself standing in the graveyard, so caught up in her thoughts. Vi's eyes finally landed on Brody's grave.
“Hey there, Brody. I hope wherever you are is peaceful.” She finally said,
"Everyone is doing their part to keep Ericson safe now. Nowadays, I find myself daydreaming about the walkers disappearing. All of us going on that road trip, you wanted."
Of course, it would not be the same without her.
“You are still on my mind, you know? You may think I’ve forgotten about you from how I treated you. But, how could I forget such a great friend like you?”
A great friend. Still, Vi wondered if Brody ever thought of them as something more.
The eerie sound of silence made Violet fidget in her boots.
“I’m sorry…” her voice cracked.
Squeezing her eyes shut, Violet’s teeth clenched at the mental image of her friend’s auburn hair flowing through the wind. Hearing the sweet sounds of her laughter, she was so happy…
“I-... I’m so sorry, Brody.”
Breathe Violet. Breathe!
“I was blinded, by the thought of losing Sophie and M- Minnie, I kept pushing you away, blaming you. When all you did, was try to care about me. And now you are gone too... FUCK. I should have talked to you”
Her vision became blurry. Felt her knees buckling underneath weight as emotions of guilt consumed her.
“You may have lied to me about the twins, but you didn’t deserve this…”
A new image of Brody appeared in her mind, but not the one with her gentle smile. Instead, the image of her maimed face, and body covered in blood. Violet fell to her knees, nails digging into the dirt. Fresh tears spilled from her eyes.
She wanted to scream.
“The Grand Canyon,” Violet said, in a timid tone.
“What?” Brody asked.
“If we took a road trip, start diving until we hit the Grand Canyon.”
Brody beamed at her, “Yeah, that would be cool.”
“I miss you so much…”
“Vi?”
A newfound voice pulled her attention away from the grave, revealing it to be Clementine.
“Are you okay? We heard crying?” Clementine ask.
Swiping away the dried tears with her sleeve. Violet finally pull herself up from the ground. Glancing at the grave one last time before moving her gaze toward her friend. Clementine followed where her gaze was, and frowned.
“Brody…”
“She’s... in a better place now. I wanted to pay my respects, to apologize.”
“I’m sure she appreciates that.”
God, she sure hoped so.