Empty Graves (Olivia)

It was starting to get dark as the sun began to set. I was walking silently, only hearing the sounds of my own footsteps. A few minutes of walking, I passed a big tree and finally reached my destination. I was sort of visiting a friend. I was standing in front of his grave as the darkness engulf my surroundings.

The grave was of my friend Matthew Harrison. He died in the Skye Tech fire. According to the police report, the explosion that caused the fire probably disintegrated his body. They ruled out any foul play as their evidences pointed to the machine in the lab malfunctioning during a test. They weren't completely wrong about that. It did malfunction, but not in the way they thought.

I thought I had a plan for everything. I did plan for everything. I've considered every outcome that can happen with the machine, even the possibility of our project being compromised. I've thought of everything, except for this. The only thing I didn’t prepare for was losing my friend.

I shouldn’t have dragged you into this Matthew.

This was all my fault. It should've been me. It should be my name on that grave not Matthew's. It would've been better if it was me. He has family and friends, people who love him. He has a brother who loves him so much, who misses him. Seeing Luke's reaction when he saw the machine made me see the true extent of what happened. He couldn't even speak straight when he saw it. Matthew was his family, his only family left as far as I know and he lost him. What's worse is that he now has to work on that same machine that took his brother.

When Luke ran off from the lab, I almost wanted to chase after him. I wanted to apologize. This was all my fault after all. I was the reason Matthew's gone. If I hadn't told him he wouldn't have tried to help me, he wouldn't have ended up in the lab that night, he wouldn't have gotten caught in the explosion.

A gust of cold wind started blowing in my face. I continued to stare at the grave as the wilted flowers get carried away by the wind. It was probably left by his friends or maybe even his brother. There was a lot of people who attended his funeral. It was probably one of them.

A memory of his funeral suddenly flashed in my mind. I remember the service they held for him in this very spot. There were a lot of attendees, most of them were from the company. There were several colleagues and lab personnel that attended his funeral. A lot of people liked him. He was friendly after all, always ready to give a helping hand. That was his best quality. Who would’ve thought that it would result into this.

He was just trying to help me and I ended up putting him in danger. I couldn't help but feel guilty for what happened to him. He wanted to help me, he always does. I never should've let him. I should've known this would happen. I couldn't even make to the funeral they held for him. I just stood at a distance watching them mourn an empty grave. He wasn't even there. I know he wasn't.

I never really understood the concept of empty graves. I thought graves were supposed to be the resting place of the body of a dead person. I never thought they would make an empty one without a body. Besides, he wasn't really dead, just gone.

Matthew's just gone.

The sun has already set and darkness took over my sight. Fortunately, there are nearby street lights that illuminate the surroundings. It was quiet. I don't see anyone near the grave and there seems to be no cars passing through on the nearby street. I instinctively closed my eyes. If it weren't for the thoughts running in my head right now, it almost makes me feel peaceful. To be honest I haven't had this much quiet for a very long time. Unfortunately it didn't last long.

Crunch.

My eyes opened as soon as I heard a noise. It seems like it came from a few feet behind me, probably from the tree. That does sound like a branch being stepped on. I'm being watched. I waited a few seconds before I spoke, "There's no point in hiding anymore, I already heard you."

There was a big sigh from behind me, "Can't sneak up on you can I?" I heard heavy footsteps approach.

"You're too big to be sneaking around like that." A smile grazes upon my face as I recognized the voice.

I continued staring at the name engraved at the headstone as I felt a presence beside me. He didn't speak anymore, he just stood on my left. We stayed like that for I don't know how long until he could no longer take the silence.

"Why are you here Olivia?"

"I could ask you the same question."

He didn't seem to have a response to that. Silence once again filled the air. He didn't leave though. He just stayed there standing beside me. I could see him through my peripheral vision. He has his arms crossed in front of his chest. He was probably getting impatient.

"I heard about what happened. Were you two close?” He asked finally breaking the silence.

“We were.”

“He a friend?”

“I like to think he was more.”

I could see him nod in response as if to say he understood.

“I think he was almost a family. He did treat me like one after all. He was the only one to do so when I came here unlike my own." I continued.

I heard a soft voice from my left, he probably sensed that it was aimed at him. "We're not a family Olivia, we never were."

I always thought of you as one. It seemed like you we’re, until we got caught up in this whole mess.

I wanted to say something but just decided not to. A sad smile towards the empty grave was the only response I had.

He continued to speak when I didn't say anything. "We both came from the same place, yes, but that doesn't mean we're family. We're just..." He took a short pause until he finally said, "We're nothing."

I just nodded my head in response as I put both my hands in my hoodie's front pockets. I didn't really know what to say anymore. He does have a point I guess. We may have come from the same place but doesn't make us family. His words kind of reminded me of what Mother used to say.

"I guess she was right." I started to say. I could feel his eyes look towards me. I continued, "Weren't meant to make friends."

"You should've listened to her then." He responded bitterly.

"'Friends are liabilities, they're dangerous, they can get you killed. You shouldn't trust anyone.' That's what she used to tell me. I didn't want to believe her, but well..." I exhaled a deep breath while I stared at the name engraved on the stone, "I guess she was right all along. Friends get you killed. Only I was the one that got my friend in danger."

I didn't expect him to say anything but he did. "Friends, families, a normal life, those things were never meant for us, you know that. You should've known that from the start."

”I know, I know. But I just... I thought...” I couldn’t even finish my sentence.

”You thought it would be different because we’re no longer in-“

“Yeah.” I cut him off unintentionally as I start to get anxious.

”It’s not. It’s never gonna be different, no matter where we go.”

I just nodded to his words once again. He was right I guess. It will never be different. What we are, what we’ve done, it’s always gonna stay with us. It’ll continue haunting us. It’ll continue haunting me.

Even though he made his point, I could still feel his uneasiness beside me. It's like he wants to say something but is debating whether he should or not. He ended up not saying anything. I wonder what he was thinking about. I didn't press him anymore and decided to just let it go.

With our exchange of words, I couldn’t help but notice how much he seems to have changed. During our trainings back in the facility, he was usually the nicest one. He was always hopeful and warm, but now, he’s different. He’s changed. I guess a lot of stuff could’ve happened before I arrived. He’s been here eight years after all.

A few more moments passed with just us two standing in front of an empty grave. There was silence between us once again, just the cold wind blowing on our faces and the branches of the tress behind.

“Why are you here Magnus?” I finally asked him when I remembered.

”I think you know why.”

I smiled flatly at his response, “He sent you, didn’t he?”

”He did. He said you’ve been avoiding him.”

I scoffed, “He sent his goons to try and kidnap me.”

”I heard. I also heard you beat the shit out of them.” He replied with a seemingly proud look on his face as I looked at his direction.

My smile grew bigger, “Well I learned from the best.”

”You definitely did.” He returned the smile. “Did you also call them his ‘bitches’?”

I told him proudly, “Yeah.”

He just chuckled at me in response.

”What does he want from me anyway?” I asked him.

”The usual, he wants a report about what happened.”

I looked down at the grave once again, “I’m not even sure I know.”

He just raised his eyebrow at me so I continued, "It just happened so fast. The device was okay and then all of a sudden, it just exploded. I didn't even know why."

"What about Matthew, what happened to him?" He asked.

"He's... I don't know. He was just gone." I explained with mild panic. I closed my eyes trying to block out the memory of what happened that night. I suddenly felt a strong hand on my shoulder. I opened my eyes to Magnus' eyes staring at me with sympathy. I had to fight the urge to embrace him and seek comfort in him. I know he wouldn't like it if I would do so. After all he did say that we weren't family so what would be the point.

Growing up, Magnus was always the one who helps me get back on my feet. During the trainings, whenever I get injured or get hurt, he always helps me. Whenever I deal with disappointment from Mother, he comforts me. He wasn't just my mentor, he was so more than that. I sucks to feel like there's a barrier between us. We used to be close.

I just stared at the ground. I couldn't believe how pathetic I'm being right now. Mother would punish me for showing such weakness. Never show anyone your emotions, your enemies will use it against you. That was what she always told me.

You're too emotional Olivia.

I took a deep breath and straightened myself. Magnus let go of my shoulder as well.

”Regardless, you need to talk to him.”

”Why does he even want that thing anyway?” I asked and looked at him again.

He just stared at me. He didn’t seem like he was gonna answer my question anytime soon. I thought he wouldn't, but then he took a deep breath and looked at me firmly, "You know what that device is right? What it can do?"

"Yeah I know, but it'll never work. I can't make it work!" I tried my best to explain to him.

"If anyone can make that thing work, it's you. You were there when she made it."

"But that was years ago, and I didn't even know what that thing was. I was just a kid." I looked directly in his eyes hoping he'll understand. But it doesn't seem like he does, so I opened my mouth again, "Why can't you you fix it then? You were closer to her right? You knew her better than anyone, didn't she tell you anything?"

There was a sudden change of look from Magnus. His eyes became cold and he took a step back away from me. He turned around without a word and started to walk away. I knew that what I said had hurt him. We both know that what I said was true and that seemed to hurt him more.

"Magnus wait!" I tried to stop him but he continued walking away.

"Talk to him or else he'll just send more of his men after you."

With those words I was left alone in the graveyard. After a few moments, I left the place too taking one last glance at Matthew's grave.

I'm gonna make this right.