Strangers

Zoe's grave

Taylor stood before Zoe's grave, the winter wind biting at her exposed skin, carrying whispers of cold melancholy through the air. The cemetery stretched out before her, a solemn expanse of weathered headstones and somber statues. The pale winter sunlight cast long shadows, adding to the weight of grief that hung in the atmosphere.

Kneeling down on the frost-covered ground, Taylor delicately placed a bouquet of flowers beside the grave, their vibrant hues a stark contrast against the muted tones of sorrow and loss. Each petal seemed to hold a piece of her shattered heart, a symbol of the beauty that had been extinguished too soon.

"Hey, Zoe," Taylor's voice quivered with a mixture of tenderness and pain. "It feels like an eternity since I last saw you. I'm sorry it took me this long to come here."

With trembling fingers, she traced the engraved letters of Zoe's name on the cold, stone surface. The touch seemed to bridge the gap between the tangible and intangible, between the world of the living and the departed.

Her gaze fixed on the etched words, memories of their shared moments flooded her mind, vivid and bittersweet. The echoes of Zoe's infectious laughter, her unwavering support, and her dedication to their work resonated in Taylor's thoughts, bringing a fleeting sense of warmth amidst the wintry chill.

"I miss you so much, Zoe," Taylor whispered, her voice carried away by the wind. "You were more than just an assistant to me. You were my rock, my confidante. You believed in me even when I doubted myself. And I couldn't protect you when you needed me the most."

A solitary tear traced a path down Taylor's cheek, a crystalline testament to the sorrow that engulfed her. She bowed her head, her expression a mixture of grief and remorse, as if burdened by the weight of the world.

"I'm sorry, Zoe. I'm sorry I couldn't shield you from the darkness that engulfed us. I failed you, my dear friend. It should have been me in that place, not you. You deserved a future filled with dreams and laughter, not an early grave."

Her voice trembled with raw emotion, a torrent of guilt and regret threatening to consume her. But within the depths of her pain, a flicker of determination ignited.

"But I promise you, Zoe," Taylor's voice steadied, infused with resolve. "I won't let your death be in vain. I will fight for justice, for answers. I will ensure that those responsible are held accountable. Your memory will forever be etched in my soul, and I'll do everything in my power to honor you."

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Taylor found a momentary solace in the quietude of the cemetery. She closed her eyes, as if seeking solace from the invisible presence of her departed friend.

"Rest in peace,Zoe," she whispered, her words carried away by the wind. "Though you are gone, you'll always be in my heart."

"Come to check on my girl?" Suddenly there was a voice behind Taylor's back.

She turned around in confusion and saw a small, gaunt old woman behind her. The woman was dressed rather modestly but neatly.

"Y-yes," squeezed out Taylor.

"That's good. Not many people have been coming here lately; everyone's busy with the upcoming holiday's"

"Yeah.... Were you close with Zoe?"

"I'm Zoe's mom," smiled the older woman, carefully brushing a thin layer of snow off the grave so that her daughter's photo was better visible.

A lump appeared in Taylor's throat; she didn't know how to look this woman in the eye because her daughter was dead because of her.

At that time, the woman placed a neat bouquet on the grave, apparently picked by by hand
Taylor's heart raced with apprehension as she stood before Zoe's mother. She was afraid to reveal her true identity, fearing that Zoe's mom would blame her for her daughter's tragic passing. The weight of guilt and responsibility bore down on her, threatening to consume her completely.