The Sitting Alive - Season 3

Episode 1 - The Sun Will Rise And We Will Try Again

Dan somberly approached the school gates, each step heavy with the weight of his loss. His friends watched in despair, their hearts sinking at the sight of Dan carrying Stinkapoo's lifeless body. "Dan...?" Lily's voice trembled as she spoke, her eyes wide with shock and sorrow. She hurried to his side, followed closely by the others. Dan's face was a mask of grief, tears mixing with the rain that continued to pour down. He couldn't find the words, his throat tight with emotion. They all entered the hall and he gently laid Stinkapoo down, and the group gathered around, their expressions reflecting the same pain and disbelief. Charlie knelt beside Stinkapoo, his face pale, "What happened?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"He was... bitten, he let himself get bit..." Dan said, his voice breaking, "He didn't want to come back. He... he thought it was the only way." A collective gasp of sorrow rippled through the group. Fluff placed a hand on Dan's shoulder, his eyes filled with unshed tears, "You did what you could, Dan. Still you brought him back to us."
Rubin nodded, his face set in a grim expression, "We need to give him a proper farewell. It's what he deserves."
Lily knelt beside Stinkapoo. "We'll honor him. We'll remember him. Always," she said softly. The group, united in their grief, began to make preparations for Stinkapoo's farewell. They headed to where Miss Anderson and Rose were buried and layed his body next to Rose's grave. Memories of Stinkapoo filled the air and stories of his bravery, his laughter, his unwavering loyalty. When everything was ready, they gathered around, each holding a small candle that flickered in the night as the rain had now stopped. Dan stepped forward, his voice steady despite the tears. "Stinkapoo was more than a friend. He was family. One of the best friends I ever had. We promised we'd get through this together, and even though he's gone, he'll always be with us. In our hearts, in our memories." One by one, they shared their own memories, their voices blending with the night sky's breeze. Each story was a testament to the bond they shared, a promise that Stinkapoo would never be forgotten. Dan took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the loss but also the strength of his friends around him. Together, they stood in silence, honoring the memory of their fallen comrade. Taylor then turned to Charlie and held his hand, "I think it's time we buried him now," she spoke softly. Charlie nodded, squeezing her hand, "Yeah," he agreed, his voice heavy with emotion, "We'll bury him next to Rose. It's what he would have wanted. Now they can finally be together again."
Audrey smiled through her tears, her words a comforting balm to their grief, "They can rest in peace together, just like they deserve." With great care and reverence, the group began the solemn task of laying Stinkapoo to rest. They began digging in the spot next to Rose's grave so the two soulmates could be together once more.

When the grave was ready, they gently placed Stinkapoo's body inside, each taking a moment to say their final goodbyes. Dan stepped forward, his heart aching but resolute. "Rest easy, man. We'll try keep fighting, and we'll carry you with us every step of the way." One by one, they each shared a few words, their voices a mix of sorrow and love. They filled the grave, covering Stinkapoo with earth until the ground was level once more. Rubin placed a makeshift marker at the head of the grave, inscribing it with Stinkapoo's name. As they all stood in silence, faint moonlight began to break through the clouds. It felt like a glimmer of hope somehow. Dan took a deep breath, feeling the presence of his friends around him, their support giving him strength, "We'll keep trying," he said, his voice firm. "For Stinkapoo, for Rose, and for everyone who didn't make it." The group nodded in agreement, their resolve renewed. They knew the road ahead would be difficult, but they also knew they had each other. Together, they would face whatever challenges came their way, carrying the memory of their fallen friends with them as a beacon of hope.

Silently, everybody began making their way back to their rooms. With heavy hearts, everybody began making their way back to their rooms. The somber atmosphere weighed on them, but the shared grief also brought a sense of unity and strength. Each step they took was a silent vow to honor the memory of their friends and to keep pushing forward, no matter how difficult the journey ahead. Dan lingered a moment longer by Stinkapoo's grave before making his way to his room he now shared with Lily. Dan entered his room, the exhaustion of the night weighing heavily on him. Lily was already there, sitting on the edge of their makeshift bed, her eyes red from crying. She looked up as he entered, "Hey," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Hey," Dan replied, his voice equally soft. He closed the door behind him and walked over to the bed, sitting down beside her. For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of the night's events pressing down on them. Lily reached out and took Dan's hand, squeezing it gently. "I can't even imagine how hard that was for you." She spoke.
Dan took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions. "It was... it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. But he was already gone, Lily. He was bitten. H-He let it happen to himself. I had to... I had to stop him from turning."
Lily nodded, tears welling up in her eyes again, "I know. You did what you had to do. And he knew you were there for him until the very end."
Dan's gaze dropped to their intertwined hands, "It just feels so unfair. We were supposed to protect each other, to make it through this together. And now... now he's gone."
Lily leaned her head on his shoulder, her presence a comforting anchor in his storm of grief, "We're still here, Dan. We still have each other. And we have to keep going, for them."
He nodded, though the pain in his chest didn't lessen, "I just... I don't know how to keep going sometimes. It feels like everything is falling apart."
Lily lifted her head, looking into his eyes, "We'll find a way. We have to. We owe it to them to keep fighting, to survive. And we have each other. We can lean on each other when things get tough."
Dan managed a small, sad smile. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Lily."
"You'll never have to find out," she replied, her voice firm despite the tears in her eyes.
Dan wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. They still had each other, and as long as they did, there was a reason to keep fighting. "Come on, let's try get some sleep..." Spoke Lily softly as she kissed Dan on the cheek. Dan then nodded and they lay down together, seeking comfort in the closeness of each other.