Someone Like You

Chapter 6

Nathan

I stare numbly in front of me, only vaguely aware of Tali sitting on the opposite end of the bench. Neither of us has made a move to leave, I'm honestly not sure that I can.

I can't stop staring at her body, it's not fair. I guess most people would say that life's not fair, but this... this is anyone's worst nightmare. I can't help but wonder if maybe this is the universe's way of payback.

After all, Jezabelle and I met nearly 3 years before we were supposed to. The universe screwed up and we let it happen, maybe something terrible was always fated for us. Most people would probably say that I'm lucky, I got a solid year of falling in love with Jez. I mean look at poor Tali, she didn't even get to hear his voice.

From that perspective, I guess I am lucky, but still, I will never know what it feels like to hold Jezabelle in my arms. I will never get to kiss her or make love to her. I will never get to have children with her or grow old with her.

Surely the universe couldn't be so cruel as to think that we deserved to have all of that taken away.

There's some sort of commotion off to my left that breaks me from my spiraling thoughts. I look up to find two men pushing their way through the crowd. The one in front is tall with tan skin and dark hair, the man behind him, holding his hand is slightly shorter, with fair skin and light brown hair.

The men come up to the caution tape and an officer hurries over to them. "I'm sorry but this is a crime scene, I'm going to have to ask you to step back." The taller man shakes his head, "No, you don't understand, you guys called me in to ID..." He trails off, his voice breaking. The other man puts his hand on his shoulder in a comforting gesture, but he looks slightly uncomfortable himself, as if all of this is new for him.

The officer's demeanor completely changes. "Right of course, you're the..." He trails off, fumbling for his notepad.

"Brother," The other man fills in, "He's the brother." The officer is nodding, "Of course, Mr. Wilder. Why don't you follow me? We've moved them into the Medical Examiner's van to give you a little more privacy."

As they start to walk past us toward the ME's van Tali stands up, reaching out and touching the brother's arm. "You're his brother?" She asks, her voice quivering as she speaks.

The man stops and looks at her with a curious expression, "Yes, my name's Caleb, and you are?" She seems to wobble on her feet for a second and then extends her hand, "Tali, his soulmate."