Path of the Damned: Consequences

Epilogue

Shane's funeral was a quiet affair. Josh and Emily did not have much money to cover expenses, but Tabby had offered to have her family pay for it. In the end, despite her feelings about Shane as a person, Tabby saw the heroism he demonstrated the night he died, and knew that he deserved a proper burial. The funeral took place just days after the Shady Valley high school graduation ceremony, where the entirety of the group (Emily included) had came out to support Tabby as she walked across the stage and received her diploma.

At the funeral, Shane was laid to rest in a golden crested coffin with an amazing bouquet of flowers. Rose had made sure every single pedal was renewed to its peak glory. The procession was small as there were only a few dozen people in attendance, in check with Emily and Josh's wishes. Shane would not have wanted fan-fair for his bravery, but the group knew he deserved at least something for being a true hero. 

Before the burial, Josh had a moving eulogy where he went in depth about their brotherhood, and how without Shane, he would have never known what it was like to experience having a brother, and how without the bonds him and Shane had formed with their group of friends, he would have never known what it was like to have a family. 

Shane was laid to rest on a private plot of land near Jimmy's house. His tombstone and grave atop a scenic hill, under a willow tree, akin to the one he trained under at Cesar's cabin. He loved nature, it's what he would have wanted. The mourners spent some time around his tombstone, as the summer breeze blowed slowly around them. After some time of quiet reflection and hushed tears, Emily pulled Josh to the side for a conversation. Rose watched as the two of them walked off and crossed her arms, Tabby joining her side.

"Jealous?" Tabby nudged her with her elbow.

The two laughed and smiled at each other.

"A little I guess." Rose responded.

"Me too." Tabby said with a sigh.

"I don't like Josh like that though, he's more of a problematic little brother to me that needs mothering." Rose said with a long-winded exhale.

"Oh? So you two were never an item?" Tabby asked her.

"OH GOD NO! We could never date, I've known that boy way too long." Rose said in a serious tone.

"I hear you girl." Tabby laughed.

Josh and Emily were by themselves in a shady area, away from the harsh summer sun. They stood facing each other, Josh noticed how the light breeze made Emily's hair bounce softly around her face.

"That was a great speech Josh, didn't know you had all that in you." She opened the conversation.

"Thanks. Turns out there's a lot of things I got that I didn't know of." He responded.

"Why did you all keep it a secret from me? Why didn't you guys tell me about those powers you guys have?" Emily said with a sad look on her face.

"We wanted to keep you safe...Shane especially, we didn't want you to get hurt or wrapped up in something, clearly that played out well." Josh said looking at his feet.

Emily managed a soft smile.

"I'm no saint either, I have plenty of secrets. Some that I was ready to share with Shane, but now that he's gone, I think the right thing to do is share with you." She said while playing with her hands.

"What do you mean...." Josh looked a her with a confused look on his face.

"The whole thing with the Crime Lords, the kidnapping, the drugs, all of it, I knew about it for years." She began to say.

"Emily, it's..." Josh began to say before she cut him off.

"No. Let me finish. It doesn't get better. I had such close relations with my dealer because I was doing him favors..." She continued.