Shining Heroes

Chapter 119

*POV change to Shining dragon*

Telling Ethan and the rest of his family what happened to Claire felt like it was harder than what happened. The entire time, I fought so hard to keep myself calm and not break down again.

In the end, it didn't go well. I knew a small part of them would always blame me even though Ethan kept promising he didn't.

Mood ended up taking me back to my place that night. I knew she felt as if I needed to be taken care of, which probably was for the best. Especially since I couldn't focus on controlling my emotions very well when she wasn't around.

Today was no different from the past week. I found myself stuck staring at my reflection.

"Darling, I know it's not ideal for you, but we need to leave, or we'll miss the funeral." Mood called from outside my bathroom.

"Mood..."

She carefully entered the bathroom and looked to make sure I was dressed before coming in and hugging me.

"I know it's hard, but I'm with you the whole way." She spoke softly as I buried my face into her neck. "Are you going as Shining or Elizabeth?"

"I dont wanna go." I mumbled.

"We both know you would hate yourself if you dont." She gently pulled away from me so I would actually look at her.

She softly kissed my forehead and handed me my mask.

"I hate myself for letting this happen." I barely spoke above a whisper like anyone else would hear my words.

"She knew what she was doing and why she did it." Mood spoke firmly. "You tried to save her, and she made the decision you were more important. You had no control over her choice."

"If only I could..."

"Shining, you were hurt, and you were overusing your powers." She quickly cut me off. "You did what you could."

"I could've..."

"You can't focus on that." Mood said as she carefully placed both hands on the sides of my face. "She wouldn't want you beating yourself up over this."

She wiped away a few stray tears before kissing my forehead.

Before long, she took me to the cathedral where Claire's funeral was taking place.

I was angered by how few people were actually there, but as soon as I was spotted, I grew scared of everyone's attention being aimed at me.

"You dont get to be here." Claire's mother began to yell from near the casket.

If it wasn't for Mood standing next to me, I'm sure I would have turned and ran as fast as I could.

I could tell Mood had tensed up like she wanted to say something back. I gently just tapped her hand with the back of mine to get her attention, and I could tell she knew I didn't want her saying anything.

"I am just paying my respects." I barely managed to croak out.

"Do you have any idea what we are going through?" Claire's father finally spoke up, but he was a lot calmer than her mother was.

I tried to walk closer to the casket, but she quickly stepped directly in front of me so I couldn't.

"You just had to come rub it in!" Her mother yelled while punching my shoulder repeatedly. "Our daughter gave her life for you, and you come here acting like you cared!"

Tears were burning my eyes as I stood my ground.

The yelling coming from her slowly began to draw more people in from the streets. None of them really cared who Claire was they just wanted to find out who was making such a scene in their holy space.

"Mom, stop." Ethan said while prying the woman away.

"I'm sorry if I could go back and stop her from doing that I would." My voice cracked while I spoke. "I never would have let her go into that building. I probably wouldn't have chosen to go to the concert that night."

No matter how hard I tried, I could never hold back my tears very long.

Ethan whispered something into his mother's ear.

"She was one of my best friends, and she saved my life many times." I said while wiping away my tears. "I tried everything I could to save her. I even begged her to leave, but she wouldn't."

Mood placed a hand on my shoulder.

"She came to pay her respects." Mood answered. "Not to relive the incident that led to this."

Ethan stepped forward and wrapped me in a tight hug.

"I know you tried your best, and I appreciate everything you've done for us. Claire would love the service you set up for her." He said while wrapping and arm around me and guiding me up to the casket.

I froze as soon as I was able to see her.

She almost looked asleep, but she had a soft smile on her face. I was no longer able to hold back my tears. I carefully placed my hand on the side of her casket to force myself to stay standing.

"I'm so sorry." I mumbled out. "I should have been stronger."

Through blurred vision, I saw her bright yellow mask had been placed in her hands.

"She always gave her all to you." Ethan softly whispered. "She would always tell me if any of us could make a change, that it would be you."

"I couldn't..."

"You gave us your all every day." He spoke softly. "She knew what she was doing when she gave hers."

"I can't..."

"El," He whispered, "She saved you because she knew you would do the same. Shining Dragon is a hero of the people, and she knew they would need you to protect them like how you always protected her."

"I promise I won't let this be in vain." My promise was aimed at Claire, but I knew Ethan was the only one who would hear it.

After a few more minutes of crying, we stepped away from the casket, and I went back to Mood. I wiped away my tears, and we decided to leave before the service was over.

As soon as we left the church, hundreds of flashing lights began to assault our eyes as reporters bombarded me with questions.

"Do you guys have any respect?" I yelled as tears filled my eyes again. "I lost my best friend, and her family is laying her to rest today."

"Shining..." Mood whispered.

"That girl in there gave everything she had and paid the price. Instead of bombarding those in mourning, go pester someone else. That's the least you can do instead of disturbing the funeral of a real hero."

The crowd was quiet now, and we pushed out way through them. We sat in Mood's car for a few minutes and watched the crowd slowly leave.

"Did Hydron catch the man that did this?" I asked softly.

I looked over to Mood, and she seemed like she was debating answering.

"Mood."

"No." She said with a sigh.

"Can you drop me off at my apartment?" I asked as I tried my best not to show my anger.