Eli felt a firm hand on his shoulder. It felt eerily reminiscent of something that had occurred ten years prior at Paul’s funeral. Turning to greet Liam’s a familiar face, the young man managed a smile as best he could.

“I’m sorry” Liam spoke before offering a cigarette. Eli politely nodded in decline. He hadn’t smoked since he was kid.

Liam had been a good friend to Eli after Paul’s tragedy….at least for a little while. He had taken care of him and watched over him, it was almost like having Paul back, Eli had a big brother again. Then he left and Eli was alone again. Always alone. The day that Liam left was the day that the young Elias Gerard gave up on people. That was the day he realised a very tough life lesson. “Every man for himself” it became his mantra, his code and his creed. All Eli had was his self and his self was composed of a million different faults. He would spend the next ten years of his life trying to eradicate those faults. When Liam had returned, Eli wasn’t quick to forgive but he did not hold anything against the once upon a time party boy. Elias understood people had their different ways of coping. Running away was Liam’s.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s good to see you” Eli offered a sad kind of smile in return.

From the corner of his eye, Elias saw the familiar fiery red hair of Ali moving closer towards them. Still a beauty even now, Pretty Ali. She had always been someone felt a connection with. Their shared interests managed to bond them. Eli has tried to help Ali with her career by getting her some small gigs. He would never allow himself to push her into any kind of limelight until she was definitely ready and with a young child to care for, Ali definitely wasn’t ready.

“Hi Ali” Eli’s sad smile brightened somewhat.

The twins emerged from the nearby church after the day’s usual service and began making their way over. Eli thought it a nice gesture, albeit an unneeded one that most of them had remembered Paul’s anniversary and had come to say a prayer for him. One of Eli’s major fears was that his big brother would be forgotten in the annals of time.

“James. Thomas. Good to see you” Diante appeared from the growing mist and joined with the little group of mourners. 

This was getting ridiculous; Eli thought to himself. Next Jenna would turn up drunk off of her face and straddle the grave. Eli made a cross across his chest and kissed two fingers before placing them on Paul’s headstone. “I’ll talk to you soon, brother” He raised his head and looked up at the group and sighed with a smile. “So…bar?” As he said so, Eli’s cell soon rang. He quickly picked it up and saw the caller ID was Val.

“Hi Val”