die for you

Chapter 15

One Month Later...
October 2022

"...Judy and Wes Hicks will forever be remembered and for ever be in the kingdom of Heaven as..." Eliza sits in the front row by herself, as the only family member at her mother and brother's funeral. Sidney, Gale, Tara, Sam, Mindy, and Chad all sit in the row directly behind her, here to support Eliza.

After a long month in the hospital, Eliza was finally able to have a proper funeral for her mother and brother, with the help of a GoFundMe started by the Sheriff's department. Her voice is just starting to feel better, although she tries to talk as minimally as possible. She does, however, have to be on medication for the rest of her life due to the internal injuries from her stabbing. She tells everyone she feels fine, but sometimes moving around hurts her still.

Eliza lives with Sam and Tara now too, after turning down offers to go live with Sidney and her family or Gale. With all of her mom's money and assets, she can live comfortably and maybe even go to college. The three live in a four bedroom apartment, since Tara's mother would not let Sam back into the house.

Chad and Mindy have both recovered from their injuries as well and have a newfound respect for tasers and pepper spray.

At the wake, Eliza meets with everyone who attended the funeral as they pay their respects. Some donate more money so that Eliza can continue to live comfortably.

Meanwhile, Mindy, Chad, Sam, and Tara all sit at a table. They're quiet, still processing the aftermath of the murder spree. Mindy, Chad, Tara, and Eliza haven't returned to school yet, Eliza unsure if she will at all. The school has been very accommodating for the four, letting them have the choice of finishing their senior year online.

"What do you guys think about school?" Chad asks, breaking the silence between the friends.

"Like about going back?" Tara asks.

"Yeah."

"I think... I think I would go back. Eventually," Tara replies. She's spent the least amount of time talking about what happened to her. She won't dare say Amber's name and barely talks about anything other than the injuries she sustained.

"You want to?" Sam asks.

"Not now," Tara shakes her head, "But maybe later... in another month or two maybe."

"Yeah," Mindy agrees, "I think I could do that... I definitely can't stay at home all the time."

Mindy and Chad's mother has been very caring during this time. She's always been an excellent mother, but she has a lot of emotional intelligence as well. She talks with her children about how they feel on the daily, even if their feelings haven't changed in days. Almost to the point where it's annoying for the twins, but they know she means well. She also offered Eliza a room in their house.

"I just don't know if I can stand everyone at school," Chad states. Normally, he doesn't mind attention. He's on the football team, he's popular, but this... he doesn't want to be popular for this. He's already reminded everyday with the scars on his leg and abdomen.

Mindy lays her head on his shoulder, "We can get through this. Together."

Sam reaches across the table and grabs Mindy's hand, "Definitely."

"Plus, you'll be like a total chick-magnet now," Mindy jokes, although Chad shakes his head.

"Don't say that," He tells her, although he has a smile on his face.

"What, I'm just saying!"

Tara looks over at Eliza, who still has tons of people coming up to her to pay their respects. Tara gets up and hobbles her way over to Eliza on her crutches.