14 Thanks for everything!

'I didn't think it would affect me so much...'

I'm in front of the house, seeing how 18 years of my life are no longer here.

"Alexandria, we're really sorry..." says Kuno.

"Don't worry, you all have supported me too much, I don't know how to thank you..."

A tear falls down my cheek.

I turn to see the whole terrain.

'There are no more animals, it seems that they escaped. The barn is destroyed, but we only had Navy in there and it's already with me'

"What will you do now?" Dai asks me.

"I'm going to find my dad's body, he must be upstairs. Could you all do me a favor?"

"Sure" answers Elin.

"Would you look for things that seem valuable in the house?"

"No problem"

They enter the house and separate to search.

I enter after them.

'Seeing my house like this... it's really hard'

I'm going to the stairs.

'It seems that the stairs are fine'

I go up carefully.

When I arrive I stay static.

'Well... when I turn here... I'll see my dad's body. I must be strong!'

For a few seconds I prepare mentally.

'Here we go!'

I turn around and see the body from the distance.

I keep walking, but my mind is blank.

Upon arriving, I observe the body.

'Dad…'

I'm totally blank.

'I'm not ready... Not yet!'

I can't help breaking into tears.

I get on my knees and hug him.

'Why it had to be like this! We could have live a better life!'

'You just had to tell me everything before!'

I lift my head from his chest and see his face.

His eyes are closed.

And he is smiling.

'Dad…'

Seeing his smile made my tears fade.

'I understand... This was your decision and you are happy with it... But now I'm alone...'

Kuno climbs the stairs.

I turn to see him and he turns to see me.

"Oh, I'm sorry Alexandria, I just came to search here"

"In fact, I wanted to ask you another favor. Could you take him and put it on top of Navy?"

Kuno is surprised to hear the request.

"Alexandria..."

"Please…"

"… Sure"

"Thank you"

Kuno approaches to dad and picks him up carefully.

He goes down the stairs.

Behind him, I'm going too.

While he leaves the body, I go to find a shovel in the tool room.

'As expected... I'll have to look for it under the debris'

After a few minutes, I find it.

I go outside the house.

I put the shovel on Navy and tie it up with a rope.

"Hey, Alexandria... Do you want me to go with you?" Elin leaves the house and asks me.

"I think this is something I should do alone, but thank you"

"I understand…"

I'm aside Navy.

I put my hand on her head.

"Well, Navy, it's time to ride you again"

I jump to try to get up, but I didn't remember about my leg.

'Shit, after so many emotions I forgot about my leg'

Elin approaches me.

"Come on, I'll help you"

"..."

'I'm 18 years and someone has to help me for this...'

"Support your healthy leg in the stirrup" Elin points.

I put my foot there.

"Well, at the count of 3, you jump. One, two... Three!"

I jump and Elin puts her hands on my waist to give me more impulse.

I manage to sit down.

"There you go! Hey, are you okay?"

"Sure... thank you" my face is burning.

'I can't turn around and see her like this'

"Alexandria... come and live with us, join our family!"

Those words leave me breathless.

I turn to see her.

She smiles at me.

I smile back.

"I will accept it with pleasure. I can never stop thanking you..."

"You don't have to do it"

"Sure... I'll be back in a few hours"

I turn to see Navy.

"Well, Navy, are you ready?"

I grab the reins and move them to go forward.

Navy begins to advance.

I arrive to the river where we collect water.

'Dad said he wanted to see this landscape forever, so he is going to do that...'

I'm looking for a clear place to make the hole.

'Here is fine'

I approach Navy and grab the shovel.

I prepare to dig.

'Shit, my arm... I'll have to take off the bandage to use my hand'

I take off the bandage and start digging.

'Even so it's quite uncomfortable...'

After a long time, I finish.

'Finally! Now…'

I put the shovel aside.

I approach Navy.

'I will have to get him down very carefully'

I push dad and, with the greatest possible care, I leave him on the floor.

'Well, this is going to be the last time I see your face... I'm really going to miss you…'

I drag it and put it in the hole.

I accommodate him.

'I know you deserve something better, but this is all I can do now... I'm sorry'

I grab the shovel and begin to fill the hole with dirt.

The sun begins to hide behind the mountains.

After a few minutes, I finish.

I leave the shovel aside.

'Only one thing is missing'

I look for a stone and put it next to the grave.

'Don't worry, I'll come back with a gravestone with your name...'

I sit next to it.

"A beautiful sunset, don't you think? Who would say that a few days ago we were here collecting water and today... I dug your grave..."

I spend several minutes sitting, contemplating the landscape.

Not far away, I see a group of horses in a meadow.

'I think it will be the best…'

I stand up.

'Well, I'd better go. I will visit you every time I have the opportunity'

I approach Navy.

'Now I have to get up by myself...'

I support my leg on the stirrup and use all my strength to raise the other foot.

I don't succeed in the first attempt.

'I can do it'

I try again, but fail.

'Third time's a charm'

I finally make it.

"Come on, Navy"

Instead of returning, I continue on the path.

I go as slowly as I can.

After several minutes, I reach the meadow.

"Navy, it's time to say goodbye... This is very difficult, but ... it's the best for you"

I get down.

I remove the saddle and the reins.

"I just want to say... it was a pleasure to take care of you during all these years and... riding you again was incredible..."

I give her one last hug.

"Let's go... Get out of here before I change my mind..."

She licks my face.

"I said go!" I yell and hit her in the back.

Navy runs out into the meadow, along with other horses.

'I'd better go before I do anything stupid...'

I return from where I arrived.

After several minutes, I arrive at dad's grave.

I leave the saddle and the reins next to it.

'Dad, mom, Navy... I promise you that I will give my best efforts and, even if I miss you, here begins my new life. Thanks for everything!'