Dark Soul

Epilogue

Holly told me everything that she knew. The car accident, how she nursed her. She told me I got hit by a truck on my way back from school, I told her I couldn't remember it and changed the conversation back to my mum. The more she talked about mum, the more Iearned to listen to her. I'd never felt so connected with her. It felt so nice; but it still didn't shift the guilt I felt underneath for ignoring her all this time. Talking to Holly made me feel like I was talking to my mum.

A week past by slowly, especially when Holly wasn't there. She promised to check up on me everyday, and she kept that promise. She visited everyday with a little present to make me feel better and to get my mind off things. It was sweet and I didn't mind her being there, even when she didn't say anything. I just felt... safe.

Another week passed, but this time everything went a lot quicker. I recovered quickly: I was no longer weak, I could walk properly and I was allowed to go off for an hour everyday to stretch my legs. 

I was taking a sip from my juice carton that the hospital gave me (It was disgusting but the doctors said it had the right nutrition in it to help me get better) when Holly came in and sat at the bottom of my bed watching me drink with some sort of awe that I was alive, and to be honest, so was I.

"We have an hour sweetheart." She smiled and stroked my shoulder, "Where d'you wanna go?"

I slurped the remains of my drink and put it on the high table next to me where a picture frame stood. It was of Mum. I slowly picked it up and held it to my chest. A silent tear rolled down my cheek as a smile widened on my face. An understanding smile spread across Holly's face.

"Well then, I'll go get your coat."

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I'd never been to my mother's grave with Holly, and if the recent events never occured then I doubt I would have ever give it a second thought.

We both walked hand in hand past the rows of gravestones. Each stone telling a different story of a different life. 

I got to two gravestones side by side. That had my parents names written on them. Their Names and memories inscribed on the hard stone. A proud smile beamed across my face. I sat down with Holly on a crooked bench that groaned under our weight; but we just sat there, her hand closed tightly and protectively over mine as we sat out a respected silence.

Nothing moved or stirred, it was like the world sat with us and payed its respect with us. And I felt happy for mum and my little sis.

But then out of the corner of my eye I saw someone. A giant childish happy grin glowed across her face. It was Violet; I sat there shocked to see her. She looked so happy and carefree, she looked so much younger. Her arm was outstretched and she held onto mums hand who also had a huge smile that brightened up her face. Violet dragged mum by her arm as she wavered behind her telling her to slow down repeatedly, but she obviously didn't care too much. Her expression showed excitment more than annoyance.

Then they collided into another oddly farmiliar figure. Violet jumped up and held on crying, the figure held onto Violet and hugged her tightly, her little toes hovering over the floor as he lift her up for the hug. Meanwhile, mum embraced them both, tears streaming down her face. But she was happy, extremely happy. It took me a minute to understand what was happening whilst I sat there in utter bewilderment. Then I realised the new figure was dad and I felt an overwhelming sense of complete happiness, that I just burst out crying.

I startled Holly for a start, "Oh baby! Please don't cry!" I heard her reassure me whilst I got a tight squeeze of a hug. I hugged her back, still watching Mum, Dad and Violet reunite for the first time as a family. Then they turned their backs to me, as if leaving this world behind them; letting go of their pasts, and they walked. I cried harder as they walked away from me. I could still feel Holly's warm embrace. I wanted to protest, but they were so happy, I didn't wan't to take that away from them, and surely I would reunite with them one day...

"It's okay babe, she is in a better place now." 

Mum turned around to face me from a distance, she beamed with tears that sparkled in her eyes, then she faded off with her arm around Dad and Violet in the sunset.

"I know." 

One day...