THE SIREN'S SONG 𓇼 F. ODAIR

24 ~ the funeral

The morning of her parent's funeral, Carolina woke up to someone knocking on the door. 

It had only been a week since the fire, and Carolina's injuries had hardly healed. She slowly made her way to the door, stopping occasionally for a break. She made it halfway down the stairs before Charlie came running past her down the stairs and flung the door open.

"Cyrus!" the boy shouted, practically jumping into the man's arms.

Cyrus hugged Charlie back and looked over the small boy's shoulder, catching sight of his girlfriend struggling to get down the stairs. He pulled away and handed Charlie the bouquet he was holding. Cyrus then walked up to Carolina, picked her up, and carried her to the couch.

"I came as soon as I heard," Cyrus said when he laid her down. He ran a hand through her hair gently and kissed her forehead. "I'm going to stay here for as long as you need, alright?"

"Thank you," Carolina smiled weakly and nodded. She looked at her brother, who was jumping between his feet. It was the happiest Carolina had seen him in the past week. Cyrus did always have that effect on Charlie, though he refused to admit it. "Charlie, do you want to show Cyrus your new fishing rod?"

"Yes!" Charlie said, grabbing Cyrus's hand and dragging him outside. 

Cyrus looked back at Carolina with worried eyes but followed the boy nonetheless.

The moment the door shut behind them, Carolina closed her eyes and took a deep breath. After a couple of minutes, Carolina stood up and walked to the kitchen to make herself and the boys breakfast. 

On her way, she looked out the window and saw Charlie sitting on the dock, staring sadly at the rod. Cyrus had his arm around the boy, trying his best to comfort him.

That's how the last week went. 

Charlie would fluctuate from having a lot of energy before it came crashing down into sadness seconds later. Carolina tried to comfort him the best she could, but it wasn't enough for the boy. Nothing she did would be.

The funeral was the first time Carolina went back to their house since the day of the fire. It was tradition to send the deceased out to sea when they passed, so on the day of her parent's funeral, the entire town gathered in their backyard by the water. 

Carolina and Charlie stood by the dock, welcoming everyone who came, but Carolina's eyes were focused on the charred frame of what used to be her home. 

Pearl's family was one of the first groups to arrive. Pearl walked straight up to Carolina and engulfed her in a hug. Her parents followed, forcing their children to offer their condolences. It was the quietest Carolina had ever seen the other five Meadows siblings.

People Carolina didn't even recognize came to offer their condolences. She thought they just came for the free food, but she was too distracted by Cyrus to say anything. The man refused to leave Carolina's side at the funeral. He thought he was just being a caring boyfriend, but it made  Carolina feel claustrophobic. She could feel him breathing down her shoulder.

Every District 4 victor arrived together a half hour into the service. Mags was the first person to walk up to her. Carolina fell into her arms when Mags opened them. The older woman rubbed her back soothingly.

"Thank you," Carolina whispered. 

She pulled away and Mags cupped Carolina's face and smiled.

Marina walked up to Carolina next, hugged her, and kissed her head. The woman offered her condolences before walking with Mags to the food table. 

Reef followed them after whispering his condolences, keeping his eyes down to the ground as he did. His young daughter was holding his hand and looking up at her father sadly. Carolina watched the exchange curiously, not understanding why the man was emotional in the slightest.