Devour My Heart

Chapter 1

On the day of the funeral, there was a light shower of rain with a hint of sun. I had been the only person to attend, not including my escort, Evelyn. The priest had done his job and left awhile back. I stared at the pot of daisies that I had placed in front of the gravestone. My eyes scanned upward toward the words etched into the slab of stone. 

                                                       In loving memory of Jeanne Gunther,

                                                                          Beloved mother,

                                                                           Beloved aunt.

                                                                   May she rest in peace.

                                                                             1930-2011

I had no recollection of my parents, let alone their deaths. Aunt Jeanne told me they had died in a car accident when I was 4. It was confusing trying to remember them. I had so many questions, but none that she could answer. Aunt Jeanne had taken care of me for 14 years of my life. 14 wonderful years. Now she was gone. I fingered the necklace she had given me just days before her heart attack. Had she known her time was ending? The necklace was silver with a small quartz as the stone centerpiece. I gripped it tightly as I remembered her words when giving it to me. 

"...always wear it when you go out. Never take it off. Understand? It's important you do this." 

I questioned it in my head, but I never asked her why it was so important that I had to wear it all the time. Nevertheless, I followed her instructions. 

"Ahem," a cough interrupted my thoughts behind me. I jumped slightly and glanced behind me to see Evelyn still standing there holding an umbrella looking cool and collected.

"Sorry Emma...but we have to get going. The principal is expecting you tonight." 

Oh right. Evelyn was actually from St. Ravyn Academy; supposedly a prestigious private school in a place I didn't even know existed. Apparently, the principal had been a good friend of my aunt. I guess she said something about me to him. Something like, if anything were to happen to her, he would take care of me. Evelyn had appeared out of nowhere to tell me all these details and to bring me back to live at the Academy. Well, what choice did I have? I had no other relatives to go to.  

"Sorry. I lost track of time," I murmured apologetically. She nodded slightly and turned to walk towards her car. I looked at the gravestone, a small part of me noting that my clothes were considerably drenched. 

"Goodbye Auntie. I'll be back someday to visit you. I'll be happy and live my life well. Watch me from above." I closed my eyes for a second, then turned and hurried to the car without a backward glance. 

Evelyn made no note of her leather seats being soaked with water from my clothes as I climbed in. As the car drove away, I felt a rush of sadness. The tears that wouldn't come out all week were now leaking onto my already wet clothing. Evelyn handed me a tissue wordlessly, shooting a slightly pitiful look through the mirror. 

I took the tissue muttering a quick 'thanks' and stared stonily out the window, tears still coursing through. Getting tired after two hours of nonstop crying, I started to feel guilty. After all, Evelyn was nice enough to stay with me all week and I had ignored for most of the time, preferring to sulk alone. I struggled to think of something to say.