School Lockdown

Chapter 16: The Funeral

*3 days later* 

That was it. Red was dead; but he got his revenge on Casey. Angel was dead too. That beautiful, innocent six-year-old girl whose life was taken far too soon. Casey and Mum were still in hospital so the funeral was to be held at the hospital church. Casey hadn't spoken a word since he got out of surgery. When told his sister had died, I knew he blamed himself. I wanted to comfort him but he wouldn't let me in.

We had both been questioned by the police but Casey wouldn't speak. He just nodded along to everything I said. He would have to go to a trial for a manslaughter charge, but as he only killed him to protect Angel and I, the officer was confident he would be not guilty. I called the same lawyer as last time and she promised to meet with Casey the following week.

Yesterday my Dad had taken me back to our house. We hadn't been there in almost 7 weeks. I unpacked my things from my suitcase and checked my phone. I had many messages from everyone from a few days ago promising they would look out for Angel and contact me if they saw her. It was too late for that now. I also had a few messages from my friends. They were all saying how sorry they were for us and the usual 'If we can do anything let us know.' But there was nothing anyone could do. Angel was gone. Brutally murdered by that evil man. I threw my phone onto my bed and tried sleeping. After a few hours I woke from a terrible nightmare. Except it wasn't just a nightmare. It was real. I couldn't sleep after that so I just laid there staring at the ceiling.

Morning came, Angel's funeral was today. I soberly got up and pulled on a black dress. I had breakfast with Dad before we went to the hospital to help Mum get ready. As we walked into her room we saw she was already up and Lauren was behind her tying the ribbon at the waist of her dress. Lauren had blamed Casey the last few days but soon realized if he hadn't done something Casey and I would be dead too. 

I hugged Mum, then Lauren. It was time. We made our way to the church and walked up to the open casket. Her neck was bandaged but she looked beautiful as always. She wore her favorite pink dress and mermaid necklace. I placed her mermaid doll in her arms as tears rolled down my face. Casey and Lauren were hugging each other. 

As other people started filing in, we sat down. When it was time for Casey to speak, he rose and walked towards the front. He took a deep breath and began, "Angel was such a beautiful and vibrant little girl. She was so outgoing and took a liking to almost everyone immediately. She shouldn't have been taken this young. She still had so much to experience. Her first day of high school, her first boyfriend – who I would've threatened the living daylight out of, if he hurt her. Her first day of college, first house, getting married, and having a child of her own. But all that was taken away when she was murdered so brutally by an evil man. He swore revenge on me and threatened my family for years. I swore to myself I would always protect them. But I failed. Angel, I'm so sorry my darling. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." His voice broke at the last line.

After the funeral, close friends and family went to the cemetery. As they lowered her body into the ground we all had pink balloons, her favorite color. Standing next to Casey I let go of my balloon. I looked up and watched it float away. "Now you're a real little angel." I whispered.

Casey sat down on a bench and watched the balloons float away. I grabbed his hand and hugged him. Perhaps he would let me comfort him. I knew I couldn't take the pain away but just sitting there together seemed to relax him.

After a short while most people began to leave. That left Casey and I, Lauren, and Mum and Dad. Mum and Casey had to get back to the hospital since they weren't actually discharged. Lauren went with my parents to the café so they could have coffee while Casey told me to follow him. We hopped in an elevator and Casey pressed the top-most floor. Once we got out he started walking down a corridor until he got to a door. 

It opened out onto a beautiful garden. There were flowers of all kinds everywhere, with bees buzzing all around. I gasped at the colorful sight. Casey led me to a table which had packets of various flower seeds. 

He explained, "This is the Garden of Heaven. If you lost someone you can plant a flower for them." We looked at all the seed packets trying to decide on the perfect one. I pointed to a pink one. "What about that one?" I asked. Casey hummed. "Pink was her favorite color but her favorite flowers were sunflowers since they were so big and bright. I found the packet with the sunflower picture on it. Casey smiled and took out a seed. After planting the seed, we looked around other parts of the garden. 

There was a fountain in the middle with seats surrounding it. He led me to one of the seats and we sat looking at the amazing flowers and scenery. We sat for about 5 minutes in silence before he turned to me. 

"I have to ask you something" he asked hesitantly. "Okay..." I said. "Look, you already know how I feel, but I don't know what you think of me. I mean who would even like me. After all the trouble I've gotten into. Yeah I've never killed anyone other than Red but I've shot at people, including you. I mean, who could like a person after they shot you? I just have to get this off my chest. Ever since Angel died, you and my mum are the only things I care about. I know you don't like me in that way but-" I didn't let him finish. I pressed my lips to his. He was shocked at first but soon returned it. I pulled away after a few seconds before saying, "Casey. I like you too." 

He gave such a relieved smile, the happiest one I'd seen in a while and crushed me in a hug. We sat in the garden for a while longer before heading back towards his hospital room. We chatted for a while before my Dad came in saying visiting hours are almost over and said to come and say goodnight to my Mum before we have to go. 

I waved goodbye to Casey and walked out of his room. Once we returned home I decided to go straight to bed. As I was pulling the curtains I looked over to the horizon and saw a rainbow. I sighed, thinking of Angel before hopping into bed. Just as I was about to doze off my phone buzzed. 

I picked it up and read a text from Casey, "Sleep well x" I smiled while drifting off to sleep.  

A/N:

A sad chapter with a happy little bit at the end! 

I feel like the last couple of chapters I've written are very cliche but come on! You knew Casey and Devin were bound to happen! I have never read a book on Wattpad where the good girl didn't end up falling for the bad boy. 

Anyway there will be four more chapters to this book. I'm aiming to finish it by the end of the week hopefully. Then I'll go back and edit it and fill all the terrible plot holes. Thank you if you've made it this far! Drop a vote and comment if you want me to read your book! 

Chapter 17 coming tonight or tomorrow morning.