The Funeral
The Funeral
Introduction
I’m dead.
I’m sure of this- I could see myself physically dying in Claire’s arms, as I drew my last breaths. The tears that were shining in her eyes where there, I even saw her holding me hours afterwards- hoping, praying I would wake up. But I know I won’t- it’s the end this time, I am dead.
I know it.
And even though I know this to be the truth, I’m breathing, and feeling, and hearing things around me. I’m on a cold concrete floor. I can feel a slight breeze run through my hair, and, slowly, very slowly- my palms press on to the floor for support as I push my self to a standing position.
The room I’m in, isn’t just a room, its made out of glass, and has a glowing- burning, magnificent light that shines in, through every direction. For a few seconds I take my time to look around and truly gather what I’m witnessing. Edges are blurred and soft, but sharp and clear at the same time. What’s happening? This can’t be heaven, I don’t feel the serene feelings- I don’t see my father- then again, I don‘t see anyone.
Only one thought radiates through out my mind now. Claire. I want to find her, see her, hold her. Because if I’m not dead, nothing will ever hold me apart from her anymore.
Its the drive to see and feel her again that drives me slowly out of the greenhouse in which I am in. Once I finally leave, I realize where it is exactly that I am.
The Deveaux building.
And there- as if no time has passed at all, sits Charles Deveaux- in his wheelchair, with a smile on his face. Seeing him, it confuses me, isn’t he dead? Aren’t I alive? Am I dreaming? He’s so calm and collected, he looks happy to see me, as if he had been expecting me to come out of the greenhouse.
I swallow and feel that my throat is dry- another testament that it is not heaven. There isn’t any suffering in heaven, this can’t be it.
Charles takes a deep breath, and his dimples protrude as his smile widens, “You’re not dead yet Peter.”
I knew this already, yet hearing is affirmation kind of shocks me. Its as if my subconscious believed me to be truly dead. My heart starts to beat outrageously fast, and I realize that it’s another confirmation- a beating heart.
“But you’re dead…”
He nods, “I am technically dead- but only in the world that we both come from. To us, this very moment- where we reside, is the, in- between. It’s, The Funeral.”
“Why are we here?” I ask, feeling a wind pick up, and goose-bumps build on my arms.
“We’re here, because it’s where we need to be, it’s where we are forced to be. See, our body is dead, and though we’ve left the living world behind- the memory and ache for us is what keeps us here. It’s someone in the living, that refuses to let us rest. And we will be here, until they can move on.”
I don’t need him to tell me who it is that is holding me here, captive, and unable to go to wherever it is that my destination will be. I know on my own that its, Claire.
I look around, “It doesn’t seem so bad.”
Charles chuckles, and smiles sadly, “That’s because I am here, Peter. But The Funeral, becomes lonely once you realize, that you're own your own, viewing the living. See, you can see everything that happens- you can hear them, but you can’t physically touch them- or be with them. You’re here, by yourself, in a deserted world- until its time for you to pass.”
Something random goes through my brain then, that I hadn’t thought about in years. A person, I missed, but I guess I forgot about, and realizing that I’ve forgotten about her, makes me feel mildly guilty, “Where’s Simone?”
“She’s passed, as has Isaac. Where they are now, I cannot tell you- I only hope of being able to join them.”
That makes me feel better, but then I remember my situation, and my chest aches again, “So when is it that you leave?”
His wrinkles increase on his forehead as his eyebrows raise, and he exhales, “You I leave, after you’ve done your visit.”
The wind picks up even more, until I can see the leaves of plants moving violently. There’s also a hissing noise coming from a distant place, that I can’t pin point- and suddenly my own Funeral is beginning to scare me.
“What’s the ’visit’?”
“You’re allowed to choose one person, to see the very last time, Peter. Choose wisely, because it’s time.”
After that, everything goes black.
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Ari's Note: hehehe. i know i totally stopped at a point where you guys are like dammit! but hey, i want to devote the first chapter to a totally fluffy paire- well um, as fluffy as it can get with their situation lol. AND YES! its finally happening!!!! i'm finally starting to write it! yay me! jk lol
please tell me what you think and if you love it or not. and dont worry its not going to be in first person, that was just the intro. if you guys have any requests, let me know!