Silver Beam Departure

Awen walked into the room. She could sense and smell the impending death that hung in the room. These quarters were no stranger to death, nor was she. She stepped inside the room and allowed the door to close behind her. The only notable sound was the click of the latch in the latch strike as the door settled into place. She could hear the ticking of the clock off on the other side of the room. It boomed loudly in her ears. With each tick, she knew it was robbing people of time; precious, irreversible time.

She could hear the labored breathing of Duncan. As her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit interior of the room, her heart lurched at the sight of this frail boy in the hospital bed. His flesh was as pale as the sheets that covered him. She saw his mother gently wipe some saliva from the corner of his mouth. The dark circles under her eyes were the only telling sign of a battle fought. She smiled thinly then backed away from the bed into the dark corner of the room. The pain she endured and faced was just beginning and her fight was far from over.

Awen approached Duncan’s bed and gently leaned over him. His frame of 17 years had been reduced to nothing more than bones encapsulated with flesh. The grey tones of his fading life were beginning to show.

“Duncan?” she spoke gently, barely audible.

She noted the change in his breathing and he opened his eyes slightly. The piercing blue of his eyes was now grey and translucent. His chest rose higher as he breathed deeper. She knew that he understood why she was there. “Duncan, I have come to finish your story.”

She pulled a rolling stool up by his bed and settled near his head. She gently brought her hand up and brushed his forehead, then his hair. She could see the tension leave his body, and his eyes cracked open again. A slight smile tugged the corner of his mouth. She knew that he was barely there, but would fight to be present. He had started this tale many months ago and he had tasked her with finishing it for him. Even in his lucid state, he had known he would not be able to finish this story.

“We left off with the preparation of the confrontation.” She said softly. She stroked his hair and head in a comforting way.

Clovis paced the length of tree hollow of the Alder tree. The Great Gray Owl’s feathers puffed to regulate his body temperature. He knew what was to come, but didn’t want to think of the outcome so soon. He turned quickly at the sound of beating wings coming to roost and rest on the branch outside the hollow. Elbrus came bouncing in and bowed low to Clovis.

“Tell me,” Clovis stated matter of factly. "What is happening?"

Lance, had snuck into Duncan’s room. He was such a hot mess. His tattered robe hung loosely around him, the tape of his feeding tube looking dirty from snot and tears, made more notable by the smear on his right cheek as he tried to hide the evidence of his looming feelings. His thick curly brown hair was sticking up and out in the worst fashion of bedhead ever seen. He went to the other side of Duncan’s bed and grabbed his hand. His large brown eyes were soft and loving. “It is I Elbrus, the mighty Screech Owl, here to honor my leader, Clovis the Gray Owl.” He gave Duncan’s hand a squeeze.

Elbrus, a Screech Owl, and one of his most trusted guardians straightened up. His eyes almost black with an orange rim around them gazed deeply at Clovis. He clacked his beak together and made soft cooing sounds. “The battle campaign is over Clovis. There is to be no more war tonight.” The white and grey speckled feathers of Elbrus puffed, he shook his head and then settled.

Clovis, who was often on guard, looked bewildered, almost confused. The battle had been fierce and exhausting. But knowing that it was ending put fear into his madly beating heart. He struggled to comprehend what Elbrus was telling him.

Reima entered the hollow. Despite her enormous size, she arrived quietly. As a barn owl, she had enormous stealth and strength. She bowed deeply to Clovis and settled in beside him. Her soft brown feathers fell perfectly along her wings and back. Her cream face and chest are perfectly clean and free of any parasites. Her elegant nature personified her wisdom and guidance. Her eyes showered all she looked upon with love and compassion.

“We come to honor you Clovis.” She gently hooted. “You have guided us and protected us and seen us through the most difficult of journeys.” She gently groomed the top of his head in a gesture of compliance.

Clovis bowed his head in shame. He had always been the strong one. He had been the leader of this group. To know his time was coming unnerved him and made him feel weak. Reima sat closer to him, offering up her wise reassurance.

Koa came into the hollow and bowed low. The Pygmy Owl clicked her beak gently and crooned a soft hooting and cooing sound. “Clovis, you have fought hard for us. We can never repay you. But we will be here with you on your final flight. Thank you my leader and friend for your wisdom and guidance.”

Kaili, a 6-year-old girl came in quietly. Her dark hair fell in long ringlets down her back. Her large doe eyes were full of tears and her cheeks puffed out with her lips quivering. Awen beckoned for her to come to her. She wrapped her arms around the little girl. “You can touch him Kaili. It will give him the love and reassurance he needs. It is a gift you can give to him that he can take with him.”

“Does it hurt?” she whispered shakily. Tears broke free of the long dark lashes that surrounded her eyes and spilled over her chubby cheeks.

“No darling,” she gently brushed away the tears. “He has been given medicine to ensure it doesn’t hurt at all.” Awen said and kissed her head.

Koa settled in beside Reima. The angelic barn owl opened a wing to tuck the little pygmy into. For such a small owl she had so much strength. Oftentimes, more than she could give credit for. Koa brought her wing out and touched Clovis with a loving and reassuring stroke. Clovis appreciated this tiny creature, with the vivacious laughter and bouncing, energetic nature.

There was a thunderous bounce on the branch outside and the flapping of wings could not only be heard but kicked up dust and debris in the hollow. Cloves’ eyes brightened at Jarek, the largest Snowy Owl he had ever seen squeezed into the Hollow. He puffed his feathers and shook hard, sending dust and leaves scattering everywhere.

Marcus had made a not-so-quiet entrance into Duncan’s room. At 15, he was tall and stocky and did not embody any physical characteristics of a 15-year-old boy. To add to his odd features, his platinum white hair glowed in a hue all its own. His green eyes blazing with indignation, jaw set in a scowl, and his arms crossed, he was quite a scene to behold. His stomach was accentuated by the tie of his robe, he stood a distance from Duncan’s bed.

Duncan had been his best friend. They had shared similar interests, played many of the same games, and shared some of their fears and secrets. Duncan had promised to fight, and fight he did. But sometimes the enemy, though unseen, fights harder. Marcus uncrossed his arms and tucked them into the pockets of his robe. He quietly padded over to the foot of Duncan’s bed.

Jarek bowed low to Clovis then stood his full height. His bright white plumage glowed and glistened in the cool moonlit night. Their eyes locked for what seemed like an eternity. Then they both relaxed and clucked and gritted their beaks. “You know I would never let you leave alone on your journey.” Hooted Jarek. “You are my commander, but also my friend. You have battled many battles and taught me how to be the warrior I am today. It will be my profound honor to see you on this last flight, my friend.”

Clovis’ eyes glistened with knowing and understanding. He was at a loss for words and overwhelmed by the camaraderie of his clan. He never realized how much they looked to him for companionship, strength, and unconditional affection.

The last of his clan arrived just as the moon rose high in the sky. The great horned owl landed softly and gently tiptoes into the hollow. Vermundo bowed low and remained there for some time. The reverence they displayed for Clovis could never be measured in this lifetime. They stood tall and looked at Clovis with indifference for some time as well. They titled their head and blinked several times and clicked their beak softly.

“Clovis, there will never be another leader like you. You made this clan a family. You took these misfits, rejected by their own, and made them a unit. There has been love and merriment and laughter. There have been others who flew the silver moonbeams before you. Ferris, Gunnar and Forta. Their life short but meaningful. We will all be lost without you, but because of you, we will have each other.

Dwyn stood at the door unable to move. The sight of their friend in his last stages was not something they had expected to see. Awen had prepared everyone by explaining what they would see, hear, and smell. However, it was not the same experience as actually being there. Their heart began to beat hard and bile climbed into their throat. Dwyn swallowed hard to push it all down. They would not take away from Duncan in his moment.

Awen looked and Dwyn and motioned for them to come over. Dwyn crept softly towards the bed and stood by Marcus. Despite Marcus’s looming size, he gently wrapped his arm around Dwyn and patted their shoulder. Tears brimmed in their eyes at that moment, realizing they were going to say goodbye to their friend one last time.

This nocturnal clan all outstretched their wings to their patriarch and began cooing and hooting in a song of their tribe. Clovis was overwhelmed by the deep tones of affection and gratitude that came from the individuals around him. A sense of comfort and relief surrounded him. He could feel their affection for him lifting him like the winds had when he was an owlet. The hollow became a vibration of tones and sounds and he closed his eyes. He outstretched his wings and felt the tones lifting him. He looked to the entrance of the hollow and saw that the moon had settled low in the sky and spilled light into the hollow and the branches of the Alder Tree.

He gently walked towards the entrance and out onto the branch. He heaved a long contented sigh and spread his wings to their full width. With one hard push, he lifted from the branch. He could feel the other’s surrounding him, using the force of their wings to lift and push him to the silver moonbeams ahead.

“You will never be forgotten!” cried Koa. She then shifted into luminous clouds of dust of silver and he could feel her surround him.

“Stay true to yourself always!” said Vermundo who then burst into orbs of light and flowed through his feathers pushing him towards the beam he needed.

“You will live on in all of us and your legacy will continue!” cheered Elbrus before he became a glowing wind that filled his tail feathers. He felt light and free and was ready to one with the heavens.

“You are the truest of friends, Clovis. I love you, my friend.” Jarek sobbed and became a glittery light.

“It’s ok to leave.” Said Reima. “Your work here is done. You deserve peace and love for eternity.”

And with a burst of love, light, and joy Clovis sailed to the silver moonbeam and burst into a bright light of joy and peace.

Awen gathered the children in her arms and they all sobbed with sadness and joy. Duncan had been the leader they each needed, even for herself. Every cancer patient comes in with their own story. Duncan had his way with these individuals he called friends and family. He genuinely loved each one for their unique gifts. His absence will be profound but ultimately, he left a legacy in this ward for everyone to draw from and carry within them.

Farewell Clovis. May your spirit be bright for all to see.