This is Where my Demons Lie

Chapter 8 + Epilogue

Chapter 8: The End
Nathan Brady
"Marie, where's Reverie," I asked, walking beside her. The younger girl shrugged.
"Dunno. I haven't seen her since last night," she said it with such casualty, it seemed like she didn't care. But she did. I could see the worry and concern in her eyes.
"Okay," I frowned, trotting to class. Where could she possibly be?
  At lunch, I checked everywhere she usually went to smoke. I even walked to the cafe. But still, no sign of my friend.
"Did you find her," Marie asked, surprising me a bit. I knew she cared.
"No," I shook my head and the girl frowned, looking at the ground.
"I'll call my mom," Marie stepped outside the building. We were supposed to be in our fifth period class right now, but instead we were searching for Reverie. "She isn't at home either."
"Shit, shit, shit," I muttered, running a hand through my hair.
"What do we do," she wondered, biting her lip.
"Go to class, I guess," I shrugged. We were both hesitant but went to our classrooms. Where are you, Reverie?
•••
Reverie Lark
I should have been at school. But I needed to see everything one more time. Take in the few beautiful things left.
  I wandered into the cafe, just for one last visit. I gave a rare smile to the cashier before leaving.
  With no destination in mind, I roamed the streets, staring at every little thing. I plucked a dandelion from the ground and studied it. It was my favorite flower. Argue with me all you want, you can't change my mind. Hated by most, considered ugly and horrid, I found it very relatable. But, unlike me, the dandelion seemed determined to live, though it was dying.
  I chuckled, dropping the flower and walking away. Glancing down at my watch, I realized it would be time for my sixth period class. Two more classes to go. Should I show up? Just one last time for them? I pondered. No, how stupid are you? They don't want you there.
•••
Nathan Brady
End of school. Marie and I rushed outside and sprinted to her house. We crept up to Reverie's room, peeking through the crack. She wasn't there. We checked every nook and cranny in that room and found nothing.
  With a sigh, Marie trudged downstairs. "C'mon, Nat, she'll be home sometime soon. She doesn't usually stay out too late at night."
  I followed her, still worried. Marie suggested watching a film to try and get our minds off her. We sat on the couch, bodies rigid and taught as a bow.
"Marie? Do you know where the ibuprofen went," Tammie shouted, making us pause the movie.
"No, Mom. Sorry," Marie rolled her eyes, pressing play.
  My eyebrows furrowed. Do you ever have that feeling that you know something is going on and has something to with it, but you can't put your finger on it? That was how I felt.
•••
Reverie Lark
It was deserted. Not a single soul around. All was quiet, not counting the few cars miles away.
  The moon and stars were bright and beautiful. I smiled. Soon enough, I would be among them.
  I sat beneath an elm, unscrewing the cap. They fell into my hands, piling on top of each other. I downed them. Ignoring the intense pain, I continued the process until there were no more.
  That didn't matter though. I was already going weak.
•••
Nathan Brady
None of the Larks had seen or heard of Reverie since two days ago. We had contacted the police and they had yet to call us.
  It wasn't until I was walking home with Marie that the realization hit me. And it hit me hard.
"Missing pills," I mumbled, eyes widening. They'd been gone for two days.
  I grabbed Marie's hand, dragging her to her house. She yelled at me to slow down, to explain, but I didn't. I couldn't.
  We burst into the house, and I was ready to shout for Mrs. Lark before hearing loud sobs.
"Mom," Marie said cautiously, sitting beside her.
"Will do. Thank you for calling," she said, trying to keep calm.
"What's wrong," Marie and I asked at the same time.
"They found Reverie-"
"That's awesome," Marie cried, beaming along with me.
"Dead," her mom finished in a whisper.
"W-what," I stammered, not able, no, not wanting to accept this new found information.
"They found Reverie dead in the park. The police think she overdosed since an ibuprofen bottle was found near her hand. Nobody knows exactly how long she'd been laying there, but it was long enough that it's too late to get help. She's dead," Mrs. Lark stated, brushing away the tears that slid down her face.
"No, no, no, no, no," Marie mumbled, grabbing onto me for balance. I rubbed circles on her back soothingly, tears of my own cascading down my face. Marie sobbed into my chest, the both of us collapsing.

She looked so... at peace, lying there in her coffin. Her blond hair fanned around her face, hands clutching a bouquet of dandelions. Yet there was no color. No life in that still figure. She was dead. Reverie Jennavive Lark was dead.

Epilogue
Nathan and Marie held hands, watching their kids run around. I smiled down at the small things. Pity I didn't live long enough to see my nephews. But it seemed like my death was for the best.
  Once I died, Nathan spent a lot of his time comforting my sister. They grew closer and closer, him telling her that, yeah, I missed her. Eventually they ended up dating. And Nathan took it upon himself to make sure every kid at school knew they were cared for. In fact, he made a blog. And it saved so many lives. He broke in my glove, became the loving child to Tammie I could never be.
  If I hadn't died, would Marie have a wonderful husband? If I hadn't died, would more people still be ending their lives? If I hadn't died, would my parents ever be happy? I don't know. But it feels like it was for the best.
  I glanced at the sky. The sun would be setting soon and I needed to take my place amongst the stars.
"I love you, Nathan. Bye."