Anon-Ida

>You don't know how long you've sat with Ida against the wall.
>It would have wasted what little time you had left with her.
>In the distance, you can hear the rescue helicopter closing in.
>While you don't want Donaghue to die, the helicopter is coming too soon.
>When it lands in the empty lot behind the house, you squeeze Ida tighter towards you.
>She returns the motion and slides her head from your shoulder to your chest.
>The paramedics come running around the house with a stretcher and first aid kit.
>As they examine Donaghue, Hotchkins slowly steps to you.
>Her voice is somber and quiet.
>"Anon, it's time."
>You look down at the messy auburn hair of your best friend.
>It's the last time you'll get the chance.
>She pulls her head away from your chest.
>The spot where she lied against already feels like its missing something.
>Ida stares into your glazed eyes while you try and blink the tears away.
>She tries to reassure you with a smile, but even you can see past it.
"Ida..."
>A slender finger stops your lips.
>"It'll be okay, Annie. Take care of the others. Please, for me."
>You shut your eyes tight to fight the tears back, but a few escape despite this.
"I'll keep them safe, but I'll never stop missi-"
>This time you're silenced not by a finger, but by a soft set of lips.
>Every second of the moment is burned into your mind.
>You never want a single detail of it to fade with time.
>It ends too quickly for you.
>She pulls away.
>"Goodbye, Annie. I love you."
"I... I love you, too."
>She weakly stands up and presents herself to Hotchkins.
>"I'm ready. Let's go."
>Hotchkins almost hesitates, but she takes Ida by the neck and carries the butchered M1 to the cruiser.
>It's the most painful thing you've ever experienced.
>Your best friend is taken from you once again.
>You lost track of time, still sitting against the house.
>The paramedics had departed with Donaghue a while ago.
>They told you that there was a good chance he wouldn't make it.
>He did quite a bit for you, and wanted to help you, so it's natural to feel a bit of a sting at the evaluation.
>Deciding that you've been here long enough, you stand up and drag your feet as you walk around the house.
>There a burning in your heart.
>The feeling of a loss that can't be replaced.
>A void that can never be filled.
>You reach your bike and slowly go through the motions to start it.
>Driving around the house, you take the light path that the cruiser left with Ida on.
>As you make your way onto the road at the base of the mountain and cruise along the creek, the clouds in the let out their frozen tears as if to remind you to be melancholy.
>The winds of Valdez remain eerily calm.
>When you reach the town, you stay on the border to avoid seeing the police department.
>The burning returns as you try to force the thoughts of what they'll have to do with her to the back of your mind.
>Finally, you reach the highway, and the snow fall nearly blinds you.
>It doesn't stop you from cruising near the speed limit.
>All the while you think about how the sidecar next to you shouldn't be empty.
>It's going to be a long ride.