Crying: A Dystopian Novel

Standing: Chapter 4

   ++++ ANNA ++++

I walk out to the cove after we get back. I sit down against the wall where John was when he died. "Hey Dad," I say, and it echoes off the walls. "I miss you. I wanted to tell you that John proposed, but you were probably there." I smile. Dad was never a very religious person, but he always believed that there was someplace afterward, where he could watch over us. None of us ever thought that he would get there as soon as he did, but I'm sure that's where he is now, if it's true.
"I was." I jump. It's Dad's voice.
"Dad?" I'm shaking; surely this is a dream.
"I made it. It's real."
"I miss you." It's all I can manage from my utterly perplexed brain.
"I miss you too. Drew says to tell you that he loves you." Tears roll down my face. "Don't cry, Anna. It's amazing here; there's nothing but beauty. We're okay; we're not in pain anymore. Tell Michael that he was right; he'll know what you're talking about. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Anna? Who are you talking to?" Laelynn asks. She, Eleise, and Michael walk through the cove and sit down next to me.
"Um..." I laugh. They would never believe me.
"What's so funny?" Eleise asks.
I shake my head. "Nothing. I'm just crazy."
"Well who were you talking to?" Michael persists.
"Myself." I lie. "You were right, about Dad." He looks confused at first, and then Laelynn whispers something to him. After that, his expression softens and he begins to tremble.
"You were talking to Dad, weren't you? Did he make it?"
"Yeah. I know it sounds crazy, but yeah." I start to cry, and Michael does too. Before long, Eleise and Laelynn are crying too. "But Dad told me not to cry for them. He told me that where they are, everything is amazing and beautiful and that they're not in pain anymore."
"They're love is with us." Laelynn smiles, drying her tears. We all nod and hug.
"Aww, how sweet, Ms. Anna." Shivers go down my spine. "Oh, I'm sorry, it's Mrs. Resmi now. But, it is a shame to see you all believing that you can talk to the dead. It's impossible." He cackles at our surprise and I stand up.
"What do you want?!" I yell at him. Michael starts to get up, but I hold my hand out to signal for him to stay down. "Say! What do you want?! Tell me!"
"Oh, don't get upset, Ms. Anna. Really. There's no need to. I just wanted to offer my condolences." His face twists into an evil grin. I start to run towards him to tackle him when someone jumps out of nowhere and tackles me. I fall on my arm at an odd angle and I hear it crack. Laelynn gasps at the sound, and I just flip over to lie on my back. I don't want them to take me, but I can't do anything to stop it. I wail in agony as they drag me away by my broken arm.