The Orphan

Chapter Forty-Eight

Autumn-

*****VERY short chapter*****

"Autumn, you need to eat." Tori's motherly tone entered my room.

I stared at the door not bothering to acknowledge her presence.

It had been a week since Ryder's death.

I hadn't left my room yet, I became a missing person after 24 hours and Andy had found me after two days of not leaving Ryder's body.

I was stuck in the hospital for three days with dehydration and starvation, i thought they were being over dramatic.

Now they'd be lucky to get a word out of me.

I tightly hugged Halia to my chest and she wined as a tear slid down my check.

"Its his funeral tomorrow..." she announced softly, "you'll regret it if you don't go."

I continued to stare off into space, oblivious to the world around me.

Placing down the soup Tori left without another word, once the door clicked shut i started to sob, how is everyone so ready to move on?!

When i have lost my first true love...

****

Tori-

I closed the door gently behind me, my eyes glassy.

Seeing her like that always saddened me.

"How is she?" Andrew asked for the crowed of curious people outside the door.

"Shes still not eating, or sleeping." I stated as Dylan pulled me into a hug.

"Do you think she'll come tomorrow?" Chloe asked.

I shrugged genuinely unsure.

Soon a loud crash came from Autumn's room followed by an ear piercing scream.

Andrew flew open the door and all i needed was a glimpse of splintered wood from a fallen drawer and broken glass to know Autumn was having a break down, she sobbed heavily as Andrew wrapped his arms around her to stop her from any more destruction.

At first she fought to get out of his tight embrace, then she gave in and sobbed into his chest.

I grimaced and looked away.

I couldn't bare to see her like this, so broken and lost.

Dylan kissed me on the head reassuringly.

I dared to looked back to Autumn who was still sobbing erratically into Andrews chest.

Halia bolted down the stairs away from the noise.

We let Andrew and Autumn have some privacy and closed the door.

"Come on, lets make my two favorite people some food." Dylan led me down the stairs.

Anthony and Sam were in the kitchen waiting for lunch patiently.

It was the first time i had seen them out of their rooms since they received the news five days ago.

Anthony hasn't even cried yet, Sam cried but i don't think she fully understands it. She is only five after all.

"You guys hungry?" i asked trying to keep the last shred of optimism i had left.

They Both nodded in unison and Dylan had already pulled out the bread and jar of honey.

"How's everyone doing?" I asked only half expecting an answer.

"Do i have to say anything at the funeral tomorrow?" Anthony asked suddenly.

I looked at Dylan and he was looking right back at me.

Turning my head back around to face him i placed a hand over his, "only if you want to." i assured him, "Theres no pressure." I added.

He nodded as the toast popped up from the toaster making Sam jump.

The two zombies watched only half with us as Dylan spread the honey around on the toast and passed the plate of square cut toast over to them.

Ryder's death had brought a whole lot of depression into this house, and it was slowly killing us all...

****

Anthony and Sam above.