Possessed

Chapter 23: The Funeral

I dressed myself in the black dress laid out for me and put on black heels. Fixing my hair up in a simple ponytail, I headed out the door towards the car.

I piled in along with my parents and we drove to Aaron’s funeral that was being held in a clearing near the cemetery. I looked out the window as we sped along the road. Aaron’s body had been found washed ashore under the canal. The police hadn’t been able to find much evidence as most of it had been washed away by the canal water. They had come to my house twice after that to question me, only to have me repeat my story over and over.

 I let a single stray tear drop onto my dress. I would have to live with the guilt heavy in my heart. Not to mention the fear that was also there at the prospect of being found guilty.

It had been two weeks since the ghost of Ed’s father had been banished from within me. I was free-willed now and more than happy to go on with my life. I asked Madam Zara and Ed about why Ed’s father would even want a part in Aaron’s demise. It’s not like Aaron had been involved in any of this! Aside from the fact that he was a psychopath and killed for mere fun, they both thought it might have been because Aaron reminded him of Ed too often. I shook off my thoughts.

We arrived at the clearing and I got out of the car, my parents by my side. The place had a lush growth of grass covering it. A bunch of hydrangea bushes surrounded it and the air smelt fresh and dewy. The clearing had been set up with chairs in row with an aisle in the middle leading to a small step-up stage. I spotted Odette and Elaine and ran over to them, wrapping them in a tight embrace. “Why did this have to happen?” I cried onto Odette’s shoulder as she patted my shoulder comfortingly. The three of us took our places, as did everyone, and waited for the procession to commence.

A black coffin had been placed on the stage, along with Aaron’s body inside. His parents had specifically requested the officers to discontinue further exploration into his murder. All they wanted was a proper burial and funeral for him now. The priest stationed himself in front of the microphone and began the memorial. I listened in stillness with the others. When the priest had finished speaking, Mr. Sanders, Aaron’s dad strode up to the podium. He looked at me, “Aries honey, would you like to say a few words?”

I nodded wordlessly and stood up. It was no act on my behalf; my eyes were brimmed up with tears threatening to spill any second.

“Aaron Sanders was one of those people with remarkable personalities that you only come across a few times in this short lifetime,” I struggled to keep my voice steady as I spoke into the microphone. I couldn’t see much before me except for the blurs that were the people in the audience. I wanted to confess then and there that I was the one responsible for his death. It would have taken a guilt-laden burden off my shoulders at least. “Aaron was amazing; not to mention kind and incredibly nice. His brutal murder has been most unjustly committed. His death is bereavement to us all. He will be mourned and most certainly remembered as a great brother, son and boyfriend.”

“Thank you Aries, your words are very thoughtful. Aaron used to speak very highly of you,” Mr. Sanders told me as I stepped off the stage. Most of the crowds were dispersing now that the service was over. I walked over to where Mrs. Sanders sat, crying. Carson, Aaron’s three-year old brother, held her other hand tightly as she wept.

“I offer you my sincerest condolences, Margaret. No mother should have to go through what you are going through right now,” my mother said from behind me, squeezing Aaron’s mom’s hand. Not far from us, my dad stood comforting and shaking hands with Mr. Sanders.