Unexpectedly Undead

Unexpectedly Undead Chapter 11

-Parental Burdens-

"It's hard to hold back the tears, when your worst fear comes true." David whispered to himself as he stood alongside the charred remains of his daughter Olivia and softly wept. To see what was left of her just lying on a cold slab of stainless steel was almost too much to bare, and his stomach churned with nearly every breath he took.

He could never remember the origins of the quote -weather from a song he had heard, a poem he had read, or just a saying someone had offered him in a time of grieving- but would recite those words to former clients whenever they'd apologize for crying in front of him.

After he left the scene of the accident, David headed back toward Joplin, to a diner just outside the city limits. He sat at a counter stool -as far away from the other patrons as he could- and drank coffee while he tried mentally preparing himself for his daughter's autopsy. How many cups he couldn't remember, but it was enough to make his hands jitter and shake quite a bit more than they already were.

Yet as he stood there -looking down at what remained of his little girl- he realized that no amount of mental preparation could ever ready him for what was to come. As the pathologist gathered her tools, David turned away.

"Dr. Turner?" He questioned over his shoulder, biting his lower lip in an effort to hold back his sobs.

"Yes David."

"I don't think I can do this." He whispered in a voice so low that he hardly made a sound. Dr. Turner paused for a moment before setting her instruments aside and rounding the table. She placed her hand softly on his upper arm.

"I can't imagine that any parent could." She offered.

"I never in a million years would have guessed that I'd have to bury my own child, and at such a young age. It just isn't fair." David added.

"Accidents happen, David. There's nothing you could have done to change what fate fell upon your daughter or her friends. It was just her time."

"I suppose so, but that doesn't make it any easier." David agreed with a sigh. He wasn't much a man of religion, but it did give him a small amount of comfort knowing someone felt his daughter's destiny was in the hands of a much higher and wiser power.

"Look, Sheriff Taylor called me and explained as much as he could before you arrived. Why don't you head over to the station, see if those crime scene photos are ready? I'll do my best here, and I'll make sure to inform you if I find anything unusual."

"Unusual?" He questioned in a whisper. Her statement caught him off guard for David remembered the FBI agent saying something to the same effect back at the scene of the accident, and wondered if the words from both parties held any merit. Was there something unusual going on? What happened was tragic, there was no doubt in his mind about that, but 'unusual'?

"Mr. Constantine?" Dr. Turner asked, breaking the connection David had with his wandering mind. She stepped forward, and turned slightly to get a better look at David's face. "Are you alright?"

"Sorry." He apologized, rubbing his forehead with his thumb and index finger. "Just overwhelmed is all."

"Like I said before, any parent would be." She offered.

"I believe I will head to the station and check on those photos, but please keep me informed."

"I will Mr. Constantine."

After leaving the coroner's office, David went to his car. He sat in the driver's seat and stared at the buisness card handed to him by Agent O'Neal. He decided then on his next plan of action.