The Flames of Amarra - DR STRANGE x OC - COMPLETE

GOODBYE

⌚ 6 MONTHS AFTER THE SNAP

Nora silently zipped her dress and stood in front of the mirror for a few minutes. It would have to be enough. If journalists had just a little respect, they wouldn’t go as far as judging her choice of clothes today. They were probably all too busy to bother her anyway. 

She stopped by Kelly’s room on her way downstairs. “Ready ?” she asked.

Kelly sat on the edge of her bed and frowned. “I wish I looked better.” She pushed down her sleeves, trying to hide her scars. “If I move, everyone will see them.”

Nora walked inside the room and grabbed a box down the dresser. She searched inside for a few seconds before throwing a shirt at Kelly. “You were right to keep a few of Ethan’s clothes. With a jacket on top, no one will notice. If it looks too big, you’ll say it’s a fashion statement.”

“Maybe I shouldn’t go,” Kelly breathed out. “I’ll watch it on TV.”

Nora joined her and took her hand in hers. “Remember what your doctor said. It’ll be good for you. You need to say goodbye.” 

“I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“We’re family. We’re here for each other.”

Nora left and joined her father downstairs for a coffee. He handed her his tie. 

“Mom used to do that,” she said with a smile. 

“I know how to do it,” he quickly defended himself, “but she liked it. Even when we got married, she insisted on doing it herself.” He sat at the table and shook his head. “42 years together and I don’t get to bury her properly.” Nora took his hand and he immediately shook his head. “How is she ?”

“She’s coming, which is good.” She took a sip from her coffee and looked back up. “You know, I won’t be able to stay for long after. I have to go to London, and then New York. And then there’s tomorrow.”

“You’re ready for that ?”

Nora let out a small chuckle. “One day at a time. I’ll think about tomorrow… well, tomorrow. And I’m still hoping for Wong or Christine to save me from it.”

As soon as Kelly came down, Nora got the car ready. The streets were filled with people. In retrospect, they should have gone with a portal. She hated being stuck in traffic, and the entire city of Seattle was out. What was left of it.

To solve the worldwide need for funerals, most of the governments opted for a global one. They had huge stones built with every vanished person’s name engraved on it. No cemetery in Seattle was big enough. Just like most big cities, they had to build a new one altogether. 

They quietly walked to the one holding the Keller name, along with a dozen others. All put in alphabetical order. The most impersonal funeral ever. As she was looking at the people around her, Nora spotted a teenager, standing alone in front of the stone. She thought about Wong, standing alone in New York for Stephen. She squeezed Kelly’s hand, grateful to still have people around her. Then she noticed the cameras on the other side of the cemetery, and let go of Kelly’s hand. 

At exactly 10AM, all cemeteries in the country started the ceremony. The same speech was being given everywhere. No names said. There were too many. Half the population was burying the other half, and they didn’t have time for everyone. 

Nora was staring at the Keller names. Some days she could convince herself that it wasn’t real. But now, she had to face the truth. They had to say goodbye. Silently, she said goodbye to her mother, who had always been there when she needed the most. She said goodbye to her brother, who always took her defense when she was too weak to do it herself. She said goodbye to her niece, who always managed to put a smile on her face.