I stand in front of the graves of my parents and beloved brother. Their names are engraved on each grave, one for each.
“Julia Kestos,” the first one reads.
“Jonathan Kestos,” reads the second one.
“Julian Kestos,” the last one reads.
Each one holds someone I loved dearly. My mother, my father, and my older brother.
I have another brother, adopted by my parents at his request. He and Julian were close friends, and he apparently didn’t have a good relationship with his biological family, so we adopted him.
I looked up to both of them, and now Julian’s dead and Cassius is a fugitive. Sometimes I curse Cassius for not being here, but how can he show up if he’s a wanted man?
I place a lilac on each of their grave. It starts to rain as I think about my family. I feel sad and alone.
When I return to the ship that will take me back to the capital, my face still hasn’t dried from the tears.
“You ok?” the captain asks.
I say nothing as I walk to my quarters. There, sitting on the desk, is a picture of my family before it all fell apart.
I miss you, brother.