Life as Prolonged

FINALE(:

Hey guys! Welcome to the last chapter of LAP!(: If you haven't already, please go back to the last chapter titled "Paul's Party". I have made some changes to the ending to make this chapter make more sense. Anyways, Im so proud to have 4000 reads! You guys dont even know. If you want to get ahold of me you can contact me these ways:

EMAIL: lovesattack@gmail.com

INSTAGRAM: @iamsuperpickle

TWITTER: @teraysacraig

I am also excited to announce the release of my new book in 2013(: I'm really stuck on ideas. I wanted to do something with sy-fy because it allows me to be more creative. Although, if I do pick that it definatly won't be a manly book, it will have the girly twist to it, too! If you guys think you have better ideas I might just hold a contest, so keep in touch with twitter and instagram! For now, heres the finale of Life As Prolonged!

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Three months later and we were sitting in a crowded court room. The extreme amount of heat sent sweat down my back. It felt as tho every heater this place owned was centered in this room and cranked up as high as their little knobs would turn.

I was sitting in between my mom and Ray's. I hung over the edge to keep myself sitting up straight and alert. I made sure that I would listen to every single word anyone had to say, even if it killed me.

Okay, maybe that wasn't so funny.

Out of nowhere, Ray's mom whipped out a handkerchief and hid her tear-covered face. I heard her soft whimper as the judge called the court into session.

First to the stand, to make his last plea, was the one I used to call my brother. His look made me sick. He squirmed around in his orange jumpsuit as he tried to get comfortable.

I thought back to the day my mom and dad were told that Austin was arrested.

"He had a good head on his shoulders." My father spoke proudly.

"What was his motive?" My mom questioned.

"Hes a sick, twisted boy." I replied, innocently answering all of their unanswered questions. I wrapped my arms around both of their shoulders and squeezed them so tight as we cried in silence.

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"How does the jury find the verdict of the defendant on the account of murder in the first degree?" My heart dropped to my toes when the judge spoke. His voice boomed through the courtroom. I looked back to see half of the community, most of them standing in the back of the room. People nervously bit their lips or played with their hair while awaiting the verdict.

"We find the defendant, Austin Lee, guilty of murder."

We heard the pound of the mallet one time as the judge dismissed the court. Two police officers, who were broadly built, pulled Austin out of the room. People stood up and scurried out of the room.

I grabbed Raven's mom and gave her the biggest hug I had given to anyone in a long time. I wasn't ready for words, and neither was she. The tears flowed as i whispered in my head, "Let the healing begin".

As she loosened her grip she gave me one last smile before escaping the empty room. I had one last stop to make while the day was young.

I wasn't the same girl I was five months ago. I dressed more casually, hung out more, wore less makeup, and was free to be me. Although music was still my escape, I limited my selection. I held the world in my hands, as Ray once did. Once again, tradgedy proved to be the ruler in this distressed world. One thing after another. Whether it affects you or anyone you love, that's a different story. This time, it hurt just about everyone I loved. How a sick, twisted mind could act so normal for all these years is beyond me. He was my brother. I hugged him, kissed him, cried with him. He fooled me well enough. I was so done.

No. I was beyond done. I was so far to the point I could lay a knive through my chest, thought I deserved it much more than Ray. Sad enough, it wasn't my time to go. Only God can chose when he wants me. Sometimes when I look up, (whether it's actually there or not) I can see Ray's beautiful face smiling down at me. Her bouncy curls flowing in the open breeze. Sometimes, she holds out her hand, and I reach mine up, but hers disappears. It takes me a few moments to get back into reality. Then I get back on my feet and walk away.

I pulled up to the cemetery where Raven was buried. I let a few tears escape as I pulled my green Kia Soul about ten feet away from her grave. It was there, that I hopped out of my car and hustled over to her grave. I ran my fingers over her engraved name in her headstone. I gently kissed my hand and pressed against the smooth stone.

"In loving memory of Raven 'Ray' Vancouver. You will be missed."

I read the print out loud. Repeating what I read in my head. I dropped to my knees and my head fell to the ground.

"Hey, Ray." I said in between heavy sobs. "I know you can hear me. Maybe Im looking the wrong way." I picked my head up and looked into the clear blue sky. At that very moment, snow began to fall. Every flake a different sparkle, a different shape, and size. I tilted my head back and let the cool flakes melt on my warm face. "Don't you know how bad we miss you? I know you had to date him, he was all you ever wanted. This time he had one drink too many. Im so sorry. I should've been there. I never meant to stop talking to you, it just sort of happened.

Did I tell you I started running?" I smile creeped up onto my face. I ran my hands down the sides of my thin body. "You see this? This is because of you. I lived for you, to be you, and your best friend. And... Now. Youre gone." One last time I dropped to the ground and let out the loudest, longest scream I had ever let out.

It was deffinatly a relief.

A warm hand massaged my back. I looked up to see the plump face of officer James.

"Hey." He said as I gave him a hug, sobbing more into his jean jacket. "It's okay now, it's alright. Justice was served. You won't see your brother for a long time."