The Shadows Within

Chapter 27

**Shameka's POV**

I stood at the edge of the crowd, surrounded by the people who had come to pay their respects to Dantae. It felt like a blur, a never-ending haze of pain and grief.

I couldn't believe it had been a 2 weeks since he was taken from me. It felt like an eternity since I had last seen his bright smile, since I had last heard his laughter.

As I gazed out at the sea of faces, I saw Alexander and Ashley standing nearby, their eyes fixed on me with a mixture of sympathy and understanding. I knew they were trying to comfort me, but I didn't want their comfort. I just wanted Dantae back.

The priest began to speak, his words a distant hum in my ears. I barely registered what he was saying, my mind consumed by thoughts of what could have been.

As the service came to a close, I felt a sense of numbness wash over me. I knew that Dantae was really gone, that there was no coming back from this.

I took a step forward, my eyes locked on the casket as it was lowered into the ground. I felt like I was being buried alongside him, like my heart was being buried along with his body.

As the dirt was shoveled over him, I whispered his name, tears streaming down my face. "Dantae... come back to me..."

The ceremony ended, and the mourners began to disperse. I stood there for a moment, frozen in grief, before slowly making my way back to Alexander and Ashley.

They took my arms, holding me close as we walked away from the grave. I felt like I was walking away from my future, from the life that could have been.

As we walked, I couldn't help but think of all the what-ifs. What if we had gotten our chance? What if we had been able to be together?

The questions swirled in my head like a vortex, pulling me down into the depths of despair.

But as we reached the car, Ashley turned to me with tears in her eyes. "We'll get through this together," she said softly. "We'll find a way to heal."

I nodded numbly, feeling like I was trapped in a never-ending nightmare.

But as we drove away from the cemetery, something inside of me stirred. A spark of determination ignited within me.

I would find a way to heal. I would find a way to move on.

And maybe, just maybe, I would find a way to forgive myself for not being able to save him.

But for now, all I could do was take one step at a time.

*To Be Continued...*