The Dead Among Us

61. Leaves

Fabia's POV

    What the fuck...

    No one said this was Bri's funeral, too.

As I turn back to the table, a wave of hopelessness washes over me. Sabin's face is a portrait of anguish, his composure on the brink of collapse. Pedro is looking toward the pews and is oblivious, so I give his arm a gentle tug to redirect his attention.

     When he looks at me, my already sinking stomach descends further. His eyes are all wet with tears, and the sight breaks my heart.

    "...Sabin..." I manage to say in a feeble voice, and he swiftly turns his head.

     "I'm sorry," he says apologetically as he lets go of my hand from the crook of his arm. "My son needs me."

    He then swiftly returns to the table, leaving me standing there to witness the heart-wrenching scene as it unfolds before my eyes.

    At that moment, it dawns on me that it's not just Pedro taking the lead in coming to Sabin's rescue. Yes, he's at the forefront, but Manny is right behind him. And then, almost in unison, Kenji, Jon, and Benji join in. I even catch a glimpse of Jason breaking away from Jessica and rushing over as well.

    They all converge around him, enveloping him in a cocoon of support and love. Pedro seizes one arm, Manny takes the other, and together, they guide him towards the pews.

    When I catch a glimpse of his face... I'm paralyzed... I can't draw a breath... I can't form a coherent thought... All I can feel is the overwhelming sense of grief emanating from him... He's utterly destroyed...

    I need to get out of here. I want to comfort him, but I feel like an outsider.

    I think he needs his family right now... I don't think I count.  

    Before I know it, I've strolled out the door. My head is down at my feet, watching as I make my way down the steps.

    I find a tree not too far away and slowly make my way to it. As I reach it, I lower myself onto the ground, feeling the cool dirt beneath me. Leaning my back against the rough bark of the trunk, I draw my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them. With my head bowed, I take a moment to rest and gather my thoughts.

    Despite the overwhelming sorrow engulfing me, I fight back my own tears. I remind myself that I have no right to grieve for a girl I never knew.

But surrounded by others' grief and sorrow, I'm struck by the depth of my own emotional absorption. I never realized how much I feel others' pain.    

    Well no... I guess there's more to it than that...

    I've grown to care for Sabin and his family, so seeing them suffer is hitting me hard.

    Suddenly, a hand taps on my arm, pulling me away from my thoughts. As my head rises, I take in a sharp gasp and flinch slightly.

    Its Minister Pierre.

He is crouching down, balancing on the balls of his feet, positioned directly in front of me.

    "Did I startle you, slave?"

    His voice is gentle, his smile soft, as he asks me, his words carrying a warmth that contrasts significantly with the title he just called me. Something so degrading said with such a kind, caring smile and soothing twinkle in his eyes was a bizarre combination. And yet he did it so effortlessly.

    I gulp, answering, "No, it's okay..."

    The smile briefly returns as he reaches out and gently plucks something from my hair—a leaf from the tree.