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The cold winter winds of Oregon knocked the last red leaf off of a massive birch tree. It drifted about, dancing in the air like a trapeze artist. Eventually, its time aloft came to an end as it fell to the snow-covered ground. Moments later, it was stepped on by one of a group of people approaching the very tree it fell from. They stopped in front of it and stayed in silence for a moment before one spoke up.
"It's not your fault, you know." Lillian Lillihammer looked over at Placeholder McDoctorate, whose eyes were glued to the ground.
"I could have done more."
"You did what you could."
"I could have done more," he repeated.
"Doctor…" Teri O'Rourke put a hand on his shoulder. He didn't respond. "You did your best," she added, "And that's all you could really ask for."
"I don't think I've seen you be so passionate about anything in a long time. You did your best. As much as I hate to say 'he'—"
"Don't." McDoctorate scowled.
"Well… I'll just say having you on this decommissioning was a good thing. You clearly care." Lillian sighed.
McDoctorate's hands tightened around the bouquet of flowers he was carrying.
"Was? It's not over yet Lillian. I promised I would fix this and I'm going to. For both of us. I need to. "
She nodded.
"This whole time I've tried so hard not to say that name. Because I know it would hurt. Because I know it would be wrong. And I still can't say that name. It pains me to no end that I never knew the real name to use."
"Of course." Lillihammer sighed, stuffing her hands into her coat pockets. "No one deserves that."
"I can think of one person."
"Buford? Don't worry. I have it on good authority he's going to be staying at Paramax much longer than 20 years." O'Rourke said, looking down at the grave before them.
"Good."
Silence.
McDoctorate looked up at the sky.
"Looks like more snow soon."
"Yeah."
He took a knee and placed the bouquet of flowers on top of a small pile of rocks at the foot of the tree.
"Rest easy. I'm sorry I couldn't do what you needed while you were alive." He stood and turned, walking away with Lillian and Teri behind him.
As they left, the stones underneath the bouquet rearranged themselves into the shape of a flower.
It started to snow.
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On January 9th, 2023, Edward Jameson was found dead in his containment cell. The cause of death was ruled as self-inflicted exsanguination. The following note was found on his desk.
I would rather die than not be allowed to be who I am. Bury me under my chosen name.
- Daisy
He was buried in an unmarked grave behind Site-64.