Perfectly Red

As Empty as Her Coffin

(David's POV)

*Earlier that day*

The last month was spent arguing with both the Italian, and American authorities. Italian officials were suspiciously quick to deam Amy as deceased despite the fact that it usually takes them ten years to do that without a body. Which we obviously didn't find upon my discovery of that blood soaked room. Their experts say that the blood spatter analysis is comparable to fatal stabbings. That blood, some hair, and fingerprints were found along with a few crumpled up sketches that look like she most likely drew.

The sight of the room was a shock, a chain with a bloody shackle laid uncuffed in the middle of the floor. But once I got space from that musty abandoned place the more I realized things weren't making sense. Why take the body but leave a mess like that? The blood was mostly dry probably having been there for quite some time. But once I started asking questions they started trying to investigate me for the murder. Once I proved that I was still in america whenever what happened in that room...happened, they let me go.

I flew back to the states, and the authorities were already made aware of what happened. They weren't very much help either basically telling me shes an officially missing person, presumed dead, and to come back in seven years for a death certificate.

Which means now I'm somewhere between wanting to keep hope that maybe, just maybe Amy is still alive somehow. Naturally I don't want to confuse the boys once or if they ever hear about it in the media or at school. It's been an absolute media frenzy, news vans were outside our house as soon as I landed back in the states.

"Come on put your shoes on, it's time for us to go," Della speaks walking into the living room, and grabbing her purse off the coffee table.

"I- I don't think I can do this," I tell my sister tearing up. "What if she's still out there somewhere?"

She lets out a deep sigh resting her hand on my shoulder.

"From my understanding it was her blood, too much of it for her to have survived whatever happened," she says in a soft tone.

"Exactly we don't know what happened, there was not a body... Think, about it why go through so much trouble to erase someone's existence, and then leave a mound of evidence at the crime scene?"

"We might not ever know what happened... But you have to do this, David. If not for you then for the boys. It will be more damaging to them if they don't get to say goodbye. They are already going through so much right now... Moreover If you keep searching for Amy every damn day, and night you're going to miss out on those boys lives too. She would not want that."

I ponder her words for a moment still not wanting to believe them. But knowing that at least for awhile we have to find a new sense of normal.

"You're right, give me a moment, and I'll meet you out in the car," I respond standing from the couch.

"David the funeral director is going to be th-"

"I know, just one minute.. please sister."

"Okay, but quickly please," she walks out the front door with her keys in hand.

I make my way into the bedroom, the one I shared with my wife. Her stuff stays laying in their places, her clothes hang in half of the closet, and pictures of our family is plastered all over her bulletin board. Proof that she once brought life, and warmth to this house. Trying not to just break down right here I quickly put on my shoes before heading out to my twin in the driveway. We make the short drive to the graveyard to get things started.