The next day.
Monday.
Hawk, who had requested leave in advance last Friday, got up early again today. However, instead of heading directly to Calvin Cemetery located in Glendale, he carried the five Chitauri alien weapons wrapped in a golf bag bought yesterday afternoon and took a cab to a welfare home... and then to a nearby Mexican burrito shop.
The shop owner was a genuine Mexican who seemed to recognize Hawk and appeared a bit surprised upon seeing him.
"Hawk..."
But the owner quickly caught on: "Is it the tenth already?"
Hawk nodded, pulled out the spare change he had prepared from his pocket, and handed it over.
The owner took the change and told him to wait a moment.
After a while.
Two freshly made Mexican burritos were packed and ready.
After taking them, Hawk said thank you and then slung the golf bag over his shoulder and left.
About an hour later.
After walking around the neighborhood with the golf bag, Hawk flagged down a taxi holding multiple packed food bags and headed to Calvin Cemetery.
Calvin Cemetery, straddling the Brooklyn District and Queens, was established in 1849 and is a well-established cemetery.
Logically, over all these years, Calvin Cemetery should have been full by now.
In fact, it was, but in 1984, Calvin Cemetery got a new lease on life.
It was bought from the New York City Government.
Yes.
Calvin Cemetery became private, and because of that, a cleanup began. Within just three months, Calvin Cemetery announced its reopening to the public, and this time, with many more spaces available.
Don't ask why it suddenly became vacant.
In any case, after Calvin Cemetery announced its reopening, there were no protests or objections.
Moreover, to meet the development needs of the times, Calvin Cemetery not only developed an exclusive scenic south-facing spot for Eastern burials but also undertook government-funded burial projects.
By the time Hawk arrived at Calvin Cemetery, it was already 9 a.m.
The cemetery guard, after checking the documents Hawk handed over, was a bit curious about the golf bag slung over Hawk's shoulder but didn't check anything and allowed him through.
Calvin Cemetery is vast, stretching across two districts.
Familiar from multiple visits, Hawk walked along the cemetery path for about fifteen minutes before arriving at a small gravestone.
Adorning the gravestone was a photo of a sweetly smiling young girl.
Beneath it was her name.
Anya.
1995.5.20-2009.9.10
Hawk took off the golf bag containing the five alien weapons from his back and placed it casually to the side. He then squatted in front of the gravestone, gingerly put the packed bags of assorted food on the small stand before the gravestone, and looked up at the sweetly smiling photo on the gravestone.
He didn't speak, just quietly gazed, and seeing the smiling face in the photo, a small smile gradually appeared on his own face.
A smile similar to the one he would wear after seeing the photo on the bedside table when he woke up in the morning.
After a while.
Hawk took out his turned-off phone from his pocket, intending not to be disturbed today, and placed it aside. He then turned his body around, leaned against the gravestone behind him, and looked at the scenery before him.
From a broader view, it seemed that Hawk's figure merged with the photo on the gravestone, both looking in the same direction, as if together admiring the scenery before them.
Zooming out even further.
Midtown High School.
"Gwen, do you know where Hawk is?"
"Uh..."
Just about to put her backpack into a locker and head to class, Gwen paused at the call from her counselor, Lady Snow.
"Didn't he request leave from you?"
"I know, but I just got a call from New York University; they're coming to the school today."
"... For Hawk?"
"Yes, but I can't reach Hawk. God, when he didn't have a phone, I couldn't contact him, but now that he has a phone, it's turned off."
Lady Snow mentioned over the phone, somewhat exasperated that this was no different than when he didn't have a phone.
"I thought he might have told you, so do you know where he is?"
"Uh..."
Gwen hesitated a bit.
She kind of knew where Hawk was today but wasn't sure if Hawk wanted her to know.
"With New York University staff coming today to finalize the list, if Hawk doesn't show up, it'll be such a pity."
"Alright."
Hearing this, Gwen remembered that Hawk was indeed preparing for New York University, and knowing that missing today might mean losing the opportunity, she didn't hesitate anymore and nodded: "Lady Snow, I'll go find Hawk now, but I might need to take a leave."
Lady Snow sighed in relief at this.
"No problem."
After hanging up, Lady Snow couldn't help shaking her head, then chuckled as something crossed her mind.
As expected.
Gwen it must be.
Meanwhile, after Gwen hung up, she placed her books back into the locker, grabbed her backpack, closed the locker door, headed to the parking lot, and got into her yellow Corolla, leaving the school.
Gwen headed straight toward Calvin Cemetery.
Upon arriving at the cemetery gate, she parked and explained her purpose to the management personnel at the gate.
The cemetery staff cooperated by opening the gate.
Familiar with the place, Gwen followed the path, turned a corner, and saw Hawk lounging with one leg outstretched, one knee bent, left hand draped on the knee, back against a gravestone, appearing before her eyes.
Hawk, deep in thought, heard the slowly approaching footsteps, refocused his gaze, and turned to see Gwen cautiously walking towards him.
Seeing Hawk smile upon noticing her, Gwen felt a wave of relief and approached.
She didn't immediately state why she was there to find Hawk but instead focused on the gravestone. She saw the girl in the photo, identical to the one on Hawk's bedside, glanced at Hawk leaning nearby, her voice soft: "Could you introduce her to me?"
Hawk smiled slightly, looking at the photo with gentle eyes.
"Anya."
"She..."
"My sister!"
"..."