The school day had ended quietly, the weight of recent events still lingering in the air like a thick fog. Heldale students moved slowly across the school premises, the atmosphere brimming with high pitched voices punctuated by the sound of car engines and rustling leaves on the ground.
Kant and Marin made their way toward the school's parking lot, their footsteps echoing faintly across the pavement. The late afternoon sun stretched long shadows across the ground, casting everything in a soft, melancholic hue.
A voice called from behind them.
"Kant! ."
They both turned sharply to see who it was, the voice familiar yet strange in this setting. Running a few feet behind was a boy—probably younger than him, slightly taller, with tired eyes and a solemn expression. Bruck, Tam's younger brother.
Marin walked a few steps ahead of Kant, her hands tucked into the sleeves of her cardigan. "I'll wait by the car," she told him quietly, sparing him a glance before walking off. He nodded.
Kant blinked, caught off guard.
"Hey," Bruck said as he approached, the corners of his mouth trying to form a smile. "Sorry for stopping you. I just… I saw you."
Kant took a step forward. "It's fine."
" I'm Bruck," the boy offered, though he already knew he didn't have to.
"I know," Kant replied gently.
They stood there for a moment, silence weighing down between them.
"I was really glad you could make it to Tam's funeral. It meant a lot " Bruck said, glancing briefly at the pavement. "He would've been happy to know you came… that you paid your last respects."
Kant's chest tightened. "It was the least I could do. Tam was my dear friend—someone really important to me."
Bruck nodded, his gaze distant.
Kant studied his face. "How are you holding up?"
"Better than my parents," Bruck admitted after a moment. He sniffed quietly, rubbing his nose with the back of his sleeve. "They haven't been the same since it happened. None of us have, but… I'm trying to stay strong. For them."
"That's good," Kant said, placing his hands in his pockets. "Tam would be proud of you for that."
Bruck gave a faint, bitter smile. Then his expression shifted.
"By the way, we're leaving town," he said.
Kant blinked. "What?"
"Yeah," Bruck continued. "My parents were already planning to move after Tam's final year graduation. But now… after everything, they're speeding it up. We'll be gone before the end of the month."
Kant's shoulders stiffened. "Tam never told me that."
"He didn't tell a lot of people. Guess he didn't want to make a big deal out of it."
There was a long pause between them, the wind picking up slightly as dry leaves danced past their feet.
Bruck looked down at the cracked pavement and then back up.
"It's still hard to imagine my brother getting involved in gang fights and drug use. Because that's not who my brother was. I knew him well enough. If something was going on, I would've known."
Kant nodded slowly. "I don't believe it either."
"Had the police found any suspects to the case?."
"They haven't found anyone. No evidence of gang brawl taking place in that area. Just blood and a dead body." Bruck replied stiffly.
"The cops said they're still investigating but it seems like they haven't gotten anything to trace the people also involved in the fight."
Kant's throat tightened. If there had really been a fight, he thought grimly.
"I hope they find something soon," he said aloud.
Bruck nodded, but his eyes were distant. Hollow.
Kant didn't ask any more questions. He could feel the grief rising in Bruck again, and he didn't want to stir it deeper.
He stepped closer and gently placed a hand on Bruck's shoulder.
"I'm really sorry about Tam. And… I hope you and your family take good care of yourselves."
Bruck's lips curled into a sad, tired smile.
"Thanks, Kant."
With that, Bruck turned and walked away slowly, his steps echoing across the now-empty parking lot.
Kant stood there for a long time, watching him go.
Then, without a word, he turned and headed towards the car—his heart heavier than before.