Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ ShadedViolets ❯ Escape ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

ShadedViolets : Prologue


Scene 5: Escape


It had been a week since the crash. Duo had been released from the hospital early so he could attend Solo's funeral. It was a private, small affair, but in Haven City, nothing was truly private, and so a crowd of mourning fans, reporters, and paparazzi had gathered around the block of the cemetery, lining the streets in thick droves. There were so many people that a police presence was required to maintain a perimeter. They cleared a path for Duo, Hilde, and the others through the throng, as cameras flashed away endlessly at them and people yelled. Duo was still very limited in his movements, his injuries in the process of healing and his body still weak, so he couldn't rush along anywhere. Rushing tended to hurt.

It seemed that even death could not sway some paparazzi to have decency.

The funeral felt very long and hard for Duo. He had foregone a eulogy, passing the task on to Quatre, who spoke beautifully of the special person that Solo was. A man who was kind, loyal, a natural leader, and a loving brother, husband, and father. Hilde spoke a little then, her voice breaking in the middle of it. Dominoe began to cry, which quickly led his younger brother, Jettrix, to tears. Uncle Howard held them close while Hilde carried Cadence close, who seemed to sense the sorrow in the place, wearing a small pout of her own. Duo maintained his numb silence through most of it, but when the casket was being lowered into the ground, Duo felt that he couldn't take it anymore. Solo was inside the shiny black coffin, his body so mangled that they couldn't even do an open casket viewing. Hilde was openly weeping, now, with the boys clinging to her legs, watching the last bit of their dad being covered with dirt.

Duo stood up and left. As he walked away from the group, he could feel the gazes following him, wondering and questioning. He kept going, walking to the other side of the cemetery, where it was empty and quieter. He sat down on a large tombstone to rest, his injuries taxing on his strength. The sound of the priest praying over Solo was just a faint sound now.

Solo was dead. Solo was in a coffin, being buried six feet under. Solo was gone forever. Solo was dead...this circle of thought continued in Duo's mind, a terrible, dark loop of sorrow and grief. His dead brother. Duo still didn't want to accept it as true, even though he couldn't avoid it. The loss of Solo was attacking him daily, and nightly, but Duo wanted to believe that something like this couldn't have happened. He still wanted it to be a bad dream. Just a long, tragic dream that he could wake up from, and Solo would be there, showing him the latest idea for a song and demanding Duo fix it.

But everytime Duo thought of Solo, he imagined his bloodied face, upside down and lifeless. Duo could so clearly see Solo's open eyes and the blood that was dripping into the ever expanding pool on the ground beneath him, his body consumed by the twisted metal of the car. Solo was dead and Duo could not escape it.

A shutter click and sudden flash notified Duo to the young man standing about ten feet away. A wave of anger rose in Duo's chest, but he quelled it, being in no condition to have conflict, even with a leeching paparazzi.

Instead, he dryly remarked. "Nice shot, kid. Don't take less than five grand or you're a fucking idiot."

"You were in the car with him," the man asked bluntly. "Was it your fault, or your brothers?"

Duo's anger surged over the wall inside. "Are you fucking kidding me?" He stood up rather quickly, his desire to break this kid's nose overwhelming his earlier caution. The sudden action sent pains hooting down his side. Duo inhaled sharply and went to his knees, holding his side with his unbound arm as he waited for the intensity of the pain to fade.

The camera shutter clicked again.

"Fuck off!" Duo growled, glaring up at him. He was about to say more when Heero suddenly intervened, his fist catching the young paparazzi's jaw hard. The young man fell to the ground. He glowered up at Heero, about to speak, when Heero did first.

"Sue me, I fucking dare you," Heero growled menacingly. The man closed his mouth. Heero Yuy had a violent history with paparazzi, and this guy knew that Heero wouldn't hesitate to kick the shit out of him. "Get your face out of here before I rearrange it for you!"

The paparazzi scrambled to his feet and ran off, camera held close. Despite the encounter with Yuy, he had photos worth a payload, and he knew he was getting off easy. Heero came over to Duo and helped him get to his feet again, sitting him back down on the tombstone.

"I'm sorry about that, Duo," Heero offered his condolence. "You should't have to deal with filth like that."

"Yeah," Duo sighed. "But they're everywhere. Can't fuckin' avoid them in this town."

"Are you alright?" Heero asked, always concerned for Duo. Duo knew Heero was only showing his love for a close friend, but the question had an obvious answer.

"No," Duo answered truthfully. "I'm not okay. Solo's in a box, under a pile of dirt. And those things that pose as human beings are trying to take pictures of it all so they can sell my tragedy for a big paycheque. I'm not okay, 'Ro. I can't be okay. Solo's dead." This time Duo spoke with a resignation in his tone, an acceptance of the inescapable.

"Duo..."

"I was in that car for forty eight minutes, Heero," Duo interrupted quietly. "From the moment we flipped to when the paramedics got me out was forty eight minutes. Solo died on impact. Do you know what that means?" Duo looked up from the ground, his dark violet eyes meeting Heero's. "I was with him for almost fifty minutes, just staring at his corpse. I...I think I tried to find his pulse at least a dozen times. Probably more." Duo swallowed, running his good hand through his hair. "Solo's dead, Heero, and I am not okay. I don't know how to be okay if Solo is dead. I don't know how to live without Solo."

Heero took Duo's hand in his own. "It won't be easy, Duo. In fact, it will be the hardest thing you've ever done. But there is a way to heal, and you will find it. It may take months, it may take years, and it may not ever go away completely, but the pain will get less over time. Solo wouldn't want you to stop living. Right now, you have to keep going. If not for your sake, then for Hilde and the kids. They're going to need you desperately, Duo. So will we, your friends and bandmates."

"Yeah," Duo exhaled. Was that how it was going to be? Did he have to be the one to take care of it all? Solo had always been the one to do that. Duo didn't feel capable of taking over Solo's job. How could he ever do what Solo had done? No, that was just wrong. Solo had to be here. Solo had to do it. It was all wrong without Solo. Everything was just wrong. "Will you come to the reception?" Heero asked him gently.

"No," Duo went to stand, Heero helping him. "Will you take me home, 'Ro?" Heero nodded and helped Duo across the cemetery and past the crowd to the waiting car. The paparazzi never stopped taking pictures until the car was fading out of sight.

Duo didn't talk during the ride, keeping his eyes closed the entire trip. Riding in a car gave him panic attacks inside, and he would clutch at the seatbelt with his good hand until the car finally pulled to a stop at their destination. Even with his eyes closed tightly, he would still see the lights and the smashing glass. He could still hear metal crunching inwards. This time was no different, and he barely kept himself from throwing up once he stepped out of the car again. Hero was at his side instantly, trying to help him fight the invisible demons tearing at him.

Duo recovered himself and Heero helped him inside. "I'll stay with you," Heero offered.

"Yeah," Duo answered vaguely, his attention caught by the latest family photo on the wall. It was from three weeks ago, now. There was Solo and Hilde, as perfect a couple as could ever be, and then Duo sitting in the middle with all the kids piled onto his lap, somehow. Even baby Cadence.

Duo exhaled in sorrow, a knot forming in his throat as he thought of how there would be no more family photos like this. Solo was gone. Duo had never considered a world where Solo wasn't in it. He'd always assumed that the two of them were going to croak of old age at a retirement home together. Duo hadn't ever expected him to be gone at the young age of thirty.

Duo pulled his gaze away. He walked wearily down the hall to the study, seeking rest in his usual chair. But the moment he sat down, he found his eyes settling on the large framed poster of ShadedViolets from two tours ago. Solo was center pose as lead singer, with Duo and the others behind. Duo looked away from the poster, only to find his gaze happening upon Solo's chair, sitting opposite Duo's. Duo closed his eyes and laid his head back, only to find the bloody image of Solo's corpse waiting behind his eyelids.

Duo opened his eyes again and grabbed the remote, turning on the large television screen mounted on the wall. An entertainment report came up, with the main topic being the traumatic crash, of course. Duo hesitated with his instinct to turn it off, listening to the gorgeous Liana Jensen speaking.

[Today the world of entertainment bids farewell to a legend in the music industry,] she began. [Solo Maxwell, known and loved as the lead singer of the immensely popular band, ShadedViolets, passed away last Saturday evening in a fiery collision between a truck and his custom mercedes. His brother, Duo Maxwell, was also in the crash, but was lucky to survive.]

Duo chuckled in his head. Luck? Yeah, sure. It was fucking lucky...

[Solo and Duo Maxwell rose to fame ten years ago when their band, ShadedViolets, opened up for the infamous Zodiac during their fourth tour. From there, their popularity skyrocketed, with five successful tours of their own and eight albums released, five of which reached platinum records. Their eighth album, Shadowmancer, was just released last May, and their sixth tour was to begin next week. The death of Solo Maxwell has put the tour on an indefinite hold, and we are still waiting for an official comment from the band's publicist. Solo Maxwell was laid to rest today at Vitez Cemetery, where his family and friends bid farewell to their loved one. Though the funeral was a private affair, a police perimeter was required to handle the crowd which showed up to join in the mourning of Solo Maxwell, a crowd which has reached well into the thousands. The grief the world feels over this loss has been immense and devastating. For Solo's brother, the grief has proven, perhaps, too much, as Duo could not even manage to stay until the end, leaving early with his bandmate, Heero Yuy.]

Duo was impressed with the quick report. They'd only left the funeral, what, twenty minutes ago? That was the news for you in Haven City. It seemed like everyone knew exactly what everyone else did or was doing. And if they didn't know, they'd make it up.

"Duo, you shouldn't watch these," Hero advised gently, taking the remote from an unprotesting Duo and turning off the television. "Let's go eat something."

"Nah," Duo shook his head. "I'm not hungry, 'Ro. Even if I was, I don't think I can eat yet." He did stand up again, though. "I'm just gonna go to bed. I'm tired. You don't have to stay, 'Ro. Hilde'll be home before I wake up."

Heero looked to Duo piercingly. He came closer, taking Duo's hand. "Are you certain?" he asked softly, placing his forehead against Duo's. "I can stay if you need me. I care about you, Duo."

Duo knew that. Heck, Heero had been in love with him on and off for years, already. Duo loved him back, though he'd always kept Heero at a certain safe distance. Right now, though, Duo didn't want anyone around. "I know, 'Ro," Duo took advantage of the closeness, kissing Heero once, a light touch. "But I just want to be alone for a while, 'kay? I'll be alright."

Heero was quiet for a moment, and Duo knew he was debating on whether or not to push the issue and fight with him. Luckily, Heero decided to just let it be, for now. "If you want it, Duo," he nodded, letting go of Duo's hand. "Is there anything you need help with before I go?"

Duo shook his head. "Thank you, Heero. Really."

Heero send him one last glance as he moved to leave. "I'll see you later, Duo."

Duo nodded and Heero left. Duo watched him until the car was leaving the long driveway, then turned and made his way up the stairs to his room, noticing Solo's wedding pictures in the hall as he passed them. As he entered his messy living space, Duo felt such heaviness on his heart. He sat on his bed, his eyes unfocused as he stared blankly at the floor.

Solo was dead. Yet he was still everywhere Duo looked! Even here, in his private bedroom, Solo's face adorned the walls, plastered on the ShadedViolets posters and artwork. The paparazzi, the media, the pictures and even his own room…. Duo couldn't stop seeing his brother's face everywhere. He couldn't seem to escape it.

Duo wanted to escape, though. He feared he would break down and tear everything and everyone else apart if he couldn't learn to live without Solo. And, right now, Duo didn't know how to do that. As long as he was here, he would never be able to forget, to move on. He had to escape.

Duo had to leave.

The next hour was spent packing a few belongings to take with and some of his stashed cash. Disguising himself as best he could so he wouldn't be recognized, Duo called in a favor from Trevor, a stagehand, and got a ride to the train station, where he swore Trevor to secrecy before buying a one way ticket across the country.

And as the train left Haven station, Duo disabled and disposed of his phone, guilt and relief filling him up as he left it all behind.