by Dana Fredsti
* * *
Ash and Griff were both stretched out full length on the rooftop, using their knapsacks as pillows as they waited for the helicopter to arrive. Luke leaned against a chimney, eyes shut while Jenna sat off by herself, staring numbly into the distance.
JT felt oddly hollow. He’d done his best, but had only managed to keep half of his promise. He felt responsible for how things had played out. He should have seen how far gone the one kid had been, somehow stopped him from opening that door.
Now he knew how Ash felt.
He went over and sat next to Jenna.
“I’m sorry about your uncle,” he said simply.
She didn’t say anything. After a few minutes of silence, he patted her awkwardly on the shoulder and got up, leaving her to grieve in peace for the time being. He crossed to the side of the roof overlooking the ocean and heaved an unaccustomedly heavy sigh, watching gulls fly over the white-capped waves.
“You did your best, you know.”
He turned to find Ash standing next to him.
“Feels like I could have done more.”
“You can’t save the world.” She was quiet for a moment, then added, “I should know.”
“But you still tried.”
Ash looked at him. “So did you.”
He nodded slowly. “I guess that’ll have to be enough.”
THE END
