Lyra remembered Claude—the red-haired young man with a cheerful smile who had once been Thierry's roommate.
The news hit her lightly, clearing her mind for a bit. "My condolences," she said softly.
Thierry's voice was raw, his words choked with emotion. "The day before he died, we promised to drink until we dropped today."
Instead, he drank alone—enough for both of them.
The young man who delivered the news patted Thierry's shoulder in a comforting gesture. "Cheer up, Thierry. Claude saved an entire floor of pregnant women and newborns at the hospital. He died a hero."
Thierry tried to respond, to smile even, but his face froze. Then, as if the weight of the words became too much, he covered his face and broke down. "...Yeah."
The day after their class reunion, everyone gathered for Claude's memorial service. His heroism was featured on the news, and white candles flickered in his honor throughout the community.
