Chapter 17: A Mourning Walk

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The morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. Felicity stirred, their body aching from the events of the previous night. They glanced over to see Bree still asleep in the chair beside them, her face pale and drawn. Felicity felt a pang of guilt and sorrow—Bree had been through so much, and now they all had to navigate this grief together.

As Bree slowly woke, Felicity gave her a reassuring smile. "Hey," they said softly. "How are you feeling?"

Bree rubbed her eyes, her expression a mix of exhaustion and determination. "I've been better," she admitted. "But I think I need to get out of here for a while. Clear my head."

"Let's go for a walk," Felicity suggested. "Maybe get some fresh air and try to take our minds off everything for a bit."

After a quick breakfast, Felicity, Bree, Callum, Nathan, and Rin set out together, hoping that the crisp morning air might offer some solace. The streets of Havenfell were eerily quiet, the events of the previous night casting a long shadow over the town.

Felicity glanced at Callum and Nathan, who were walking a little ahead of them, deep in conversation. There was something different about their body language—an intensity that hadn't been there before.

"Do you think they're finally going to admit their feelings for each other?" Bree asked, a hint of a smile touching her lips.

Felicity shrugged, though they shared Bree's hope. "I think so. It's about time, really."

As they walked, the group found themselves in a small, overgrown graveyard on the outskirts of town. The graves were old, the headstones weathered and cracked. It was a place of quiet melancholy, a stark reminder of the fragility of life.

Felicity and Bree wandered off to one side, giving Callum and Nathan some space. They walked among the graves in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

"I'm sorry," Bree said suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper. "For everything. For not seeing how bad things were with Alex. For not being there for you."

Felicity shook their head. "You don't have to apologize, Bree. None of us saw it coming. And you've always been there for me when it mattered."

Bree looked at them, her eyes filled with regret. "I just wish I could have done more."

"You did what you could," Felicity said gently. "And now we just have to be there for each other."

Meanwhile, Callum and Nathan had stopped walking, and Felicity could see the two of them standing close together, their heads bowed as they spoke in hushed tones. There was a charged energy between them, a tension that hinted at unspoken words and hidden emotions.

Finally, Callum reached out, taking Nathan's hand. Felicity couldn't hear their words, but they saw the way Nathan's face lit up with a mixture of relief and joy. It was clear that the two had finally confessed their feelings, and Felicity felt a flicker of happiness amidst the gloom.

Rin wandered over; their usual aloofness softened by the shared grief. "How are you holding up?" they asked, their voice low and gentle.

Felicity shrugged, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on them. "I'm trying. It's hard to believe she's really gone."

Rin nodded; their gaze distant. "Poppy was... she was one of the good ones."

As they spoke, the group slowly gathered around a particularly old and ornate headstone, its surface covered in moss and lichen. It seemed like a fitting place to pause and remember their friend.

"We should say something," Nathan said quietly, his hand still intertwined with Callum's. "Something to respect her memory."

Felicity nodded, taking a deep breath. "Poppy was always there for us," they began, their voice trembling. "She was kind, and brave, and she never hesitated to put others first. We'll miss her more than words can say."

The others nodded, murmuring their agreement. Bree wiped away a tear, her face set with determination. "We'll make sure her memory lives on," she said firmly. "We'll get through this, together."

As they stood there, surrounded by the silent witnesses of the past, the group felt a renewed sense of purpose. They had lost so much, but they still had each other. And in that moment, they knew they would do whatever it took to honour Poppy's memory and face the darkness ahead.

The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the graveyard. The group turned to leave; their hearts heavy but their resolve stronger than ever. They would carry on, for Poppy, for themselves, and for the hope of a brighter future.


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