Finding Hope: Chapter 13

   My heart was burned. My soul was washed away into the sorrowful waves. Everything was taken away from me in an instant. I couldn't feel my hands, they were so numb from weeping out in the cold rain. All I could think of was those last precious moments with Connor before he died.

   Then I remembered something. The note Connor put in my pocket. I slipped it out and read it:

   Dear Madison,

   I want to give you something. If you follow this map, your surprise will be waiting for you. I just want to let you know, it wasn't the medicine that kept me living... it was you that kept me living. Everyday, I prayed that you would come visit me, and everyday you did. I was so thankful. Now, it is my turn to help you. I hope you like your gift.

   Forever yours,

       Connor

   I wept more when I finished reading it. I held the note to my chest and buried it in my jacket. The words expressed love. Lots of love to me. He was gone, there was no turning back. I had to follow his map to get my surprise.

   I went home to start the journey. I walked about half a mile and the map said it was waiting for me under a small oak tree.

   I walked to the oak tree and knelt down beside my present. I picked it up and smelled it. It was a bright red rose.

   I looked up into the dark grey sky which was starting to clear and said, "Thank you,"

   I stood up, tears hitting the wet ground still, held my rose tight in my hand, and walked home.

   The house was quiet. I walked up the staircase which led to my bedroom and shut the door. I wanted to be alone for a while.

   Angry, sad, tearful thoughts stirred around in my head. I thought of Connor and my last moments with him, I thought about our kiss, I thought about the race for a cure... I finally thought about Francis. He was so kind. He was almost an exact twin to Connor. I wanted to see Francis again and talk to him. We did have something in common, cancer. His sister... my best friend, both had cancer.

   He lived here, so he must go to school where I used to go... maybe Connor knew him... I didn't know, but I wanted to find out.

   I looked in the phone book and found his last name under a pile of names in the book. I looked at the address and it read: 1224 Maple Wood Drive, Nashville Tennesee.

   I got my coat and told my mom I was going for a walk.

   I walked outside and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, the rain had stopped, and a rainbow started to form in the blue sky.

   I walked down a few roads, it took less that 20 minutes to get to his house. I had to go half way around the world to find a guy who lived less than 20 minutes away from me. It really is a small world after all.

   I walked up to his front porch and examined the house. It was big, it had cherry trees in the front yard, the house was built of red brick and vines were showing around the house.

   I knocked on the door. His mom answered, "Hello, may I help you?"

   "Hi, is Francis here? I'm a friend of his. I met him at the Peddle for a Cure, I'm Madison," I explained to her and shook her hand, "Oh, I'm Mrs. Bennett. Hold on, I'll get Francis for you," she said wiping her hands on an apron and yelled for her son to come downstairs.

   Once Francis was downstairs, the lady said, "He's right here."

   I nodded and Francis came to the door and stared at me surprised, "Madison... hey," he said.

   "Hi, Francis," I replied.

   "What are you doing here?" he asked.

   His eyes were hazel and his complexion was soft white, "I... I came to see you... my friend, uh, the one who had cancer... he..." I didn't finish, he knew what I meant.

   "I'm so sorry, Madison," he said.

   I looked at the tall, slim figure and said, "It's okay," And for one moment in my life. I finally met someone else other than Connor who shared my feelings. Someone who understood me. Someone I could look up to and tell him my troubles. I will never forget Connor, but it is time to move on, and Francis was here to save me.

THE END

NOTE: If you liked this story, please comment. If you have any suggestions, please comment! Please comment and tell me if you would like me to write a sequel! I plan to write a new story with a new plot and new characters! ;)