Four Elements Book 3 - Sacrifice

Part 44

It was probably a good thing that there were only a few people at the funeral. That meant only a few people would come by the house. Andie wanted to talk to Bane, try and comfort him, but she was worried of saying something that would have the opposite result. So she kept her distance while still watching him once in a while. The only noise came from the heavy rain outside.

Eventually, Andie's parents left, followed by Jessica and Emily. Soon, Isabelle and Andie were the only ones left. They sat in silence with Zarias, Bane and Robert. Andie knew that in these occurrences, people always said not to be sad because the departed wouldn't want it, but how could anyone expect anything like that? You were forever separated from someone dear to you, how could you not be upset?

"... Is... there anything I can do? Make some tea or coffee...? Heat up some food...?" Andie eventually asked tentatively.

She knew it was nothing original, but she couldn't think of anything else at this point.

"No..." Bane said tonelessly, shaking his head.

Andie groped for something else to say, anything, when Isabelle said:

"Well... here's an idea, why don't we put away all that food we brought?"

"Yeah!" Andie said, almost a little too forcefully. "Good idea. Is that okay, Robert?"

"Sure," Robert said, a sad smile on his face.

The girls got up and went to the kitchen, where Andie's mother's lasagna and the other dishes the girls had made. Jessica's slightly overdone brownies, Isabelle's rice salad, and Emily's cornbread. As Isabelle closed the door Andie let out discouraged sigh and leaned into the counter, burying her face in her hands.

"Are you okay?" Isabelle asked as she began putting the food away.

Andie raked her fingers through her hair and straightened up.

I don't know what to do..." She told Isabelle, turning to lean against the counter. "I mean I can see their pain, and... I hate that there's nothing I can do about it..."

"Hey," Isabelle said, sympathetically touching her shoulder. "You're not a miracle worker, even though I know you want to be. It's only been a few days. Give them a little time."

Andie exhaled unhappily and was about to answer when an angry voice made them jump.

"Don't you talk to me!"

"Bane, calm down."

Andie and Isabelle exchanged startled looks and quickly went back into the living room. Bane was on his feet, glaring at Zarias.

"I was on-"

"What don't you get when I say don't talk to me?!" Bane demanded.

"He's just trying to be respectful," Robert tried to intervene.

"Respectful my ass!"

"Bane!" Andie interjected. "What in the world has gotten into you?"

"If he'd told me sooner about my mother, we could have planned her escape better!"

"We wouldn't have needed to plan a better escape if you hadn't been so insistent to go there alone in the first place!" Zarias snapped, irritated.

"Zarias, not helping," Isabelle told him shortly.

"Oh, don't act so sanctimonious!" Bane growled, turning on her. "You're just as responsible for my mother dying!"

Isabelle stared, hurt and shock all over her face.