Death Becomes a Lullaby
by Winter

Dawn was still an hour away, but the eastern sky had already begun to brighten. From above, stars shone to light up the pair that lay on top of the hill, whispering quietly to each other. Every now and then the smaller of the two would start coughing loudly, while struggling to draw air into his weakened lungs. As he did, his larger copy would hold him tight, trying to lend him strength. They had spent many nights on the hill, but this would be their last.

"It's not fair, Dan," the younger said, after a particularly bad fit of coughs had ended. "Why do I hafta die?"

"I don't know, little brother," Dan answered in a whisper. His eyes were dry now, as he felt that he had already done his share of crying. "That's the way it is, with us foxes just like with all the creatures of the world. Everything that lives must also die"

"But I'm just a kid! It's not fair."

"No, Denny, it's not fair." Dan took his younger brother in his arms and hugged him tight. "I wish I could do something. Anything. Even give my own..."

"No!! Don't say that!"

"But it's true, Denny. If I could, I would."

"But I don't want you to." More coughs racked the thin body. "Even if I can't be with you, I want you to live."

"I will. But it won't be easy. I'll miss you so, little brother."

They sat quiet for a little while. Everything they needed to say had already been said, many times over. What they were doing now was just biding their time, waiting for what must come. Denny pressed closer to his brother, nuzzling his broad chest so tightly that they seemed to merge. There was no way to tell where one pelt ended and the other began. Shuddering, the younger brother took a deep breath, fighting back a whimper of pain.

"Dan, what happens after I die? To me, I mean, not to my body."

"After...?" Dan had to gather his thoughts, which had been fluttering idly like moths around a candle. This was a new question. "After you die?"

"Yes. When granma died, mom told me she was going to a better place. Where is that?"

"I don't know, sweetie. Nobody who is alive can know."

"But then how could she say that?"

"Because it's true."

"I don't understand."

"Denny, there is a better place that awaits us all when we die. I know that. Everybody knows that. We just don't know where it is, or what it's like."

"Oh." The boy coughed again, then sat in silence for a few minutes. A tear trickled down his cheek fur, and when he spoke his voice was trembling. "But how can it be a good place if you're not there?"

"Oh, little brother..." They hugged again, as Denny started crying. "I will come to you. When it's my time."

"But I'll miss you..."

"Not as much as I will miss you. And it won't be long, I promise you. Time doesn't seem as long over there."

"I'll still miss you," Denny sobbed. "Even if it's just a minute."

"But you'll have so much to do. So much to explore. So many other foxes to meet."

"Will mom and dad be there?"

"I'm sure they will. And they'll be happy to see you."

"I'm still scared, Dan. Of death."

"Don't be, little one. Death is only there to help you make the journey when your life is over. See it as a friend."

"I'm still scared."

"Think of it as a song." Dan reached down and wiped the tears from his brother's face. "Kind of like a song that helps you sleep."

"You mean like mom used to sing to me?"

"Yes. Only this is a song that helps you wake up. Wake up in a better place."

"But without you..."

"Only for a while."

Again, they fell silent. The oncoming dawn had begun to chase some of the stars away, but it was still mostly dark. Denny shuddered, and grabbed ahold of Dan's chest fur. He took a couple of ragged breaths, then spoke in a low whisper.

"I'll try not to be scared. But how will I find my way there?"

"Look up, little brother."

"Huh?"

"Look at the stars."

"Why?"

"They will guide you. Just follow them, and you'll find the way."

"I don't understand..."

"You will. You will see your way in the stars, and then you can't miss it."

"Thanks, big brother."

"What for?"

"For making me not scared." He giggled. "For turning death into a song. And for always being there for me. For loving me."

"I do love you, little one."

"I know. I love you too. Don't make me wait too long."

"I won't."

Another shudder went through the small fox, and Dan picked him up onto his lap. He stroked Denny's hair, and kept whispering to him about the wonders that lay ahead, and beyond. After a while, it became clear to him that his words went unheard. Whimpering, he nuzzled the still body in his arms, then lifted his head to watch the receding stars.

"Safe journey, little brother," he whispered, and he almost thought he could hear an answer from somewhere up there. He had thought that his tears were all gone, but he was wrong. "Safe journey. I'll see you soon."