That's terrible. It's very sad - i don't know what it's like to lose a best friend - not unless losing my cat counts in the same way.

I feel sorry for you Phy, and (i know they won't be reading this) i wish "James"'s family well.

I'm going to make this point yet again, I'm really surprised that I have to. If I were to continue the comics, he would not be written out of the comics, just as Beliwa wasn't. They're spirits live on. It would be unfair to "write them out" of the story, I feel. Not that James would care, since I stopped sending the comics to him and 'Yuri', his brother.

Right. I'll, er, go edit that....

Sorry for making you have to repeat that point.

In terms of death, I surprisingly don't have much of a fear of it on the outside--I guess the only thing I truly fear is leaving behind friends and family, and giving them pain because of it all. And when your real close friend/family dies, or just anyone, it's traumatizing, I relate. It's something I wish I could be more prepared for, but I don't think anyone is.

I've never really been traumatized by a death, but maybe it's just because my family's done a good job of letting me know when my loved ones are ailing and in need of special prayers. I have still been affected by a number of deaths, but I wouldn't say negatively-- they've given me a good scope on what's really important in life, and how I can make sure my own life is worthwhile by its end.

I understand, though, that it must be especially difficult when a peer dies. All of the deaths in my life have been of persons older than me, so if someone my age (especially a close friend) were to die I dare say I'd be caught off-guard. This particular death is a terrible tragedy, and whether it's religion, stoicism, or some other confidence that offers you solace I hope you'll take full advantage of it.