Glorify Bad (ON HOLD)

Chapter Sixteen - Rotting

        Students of both Avelak and Chesterwood gathered to attend Emily Marshal’s burial that Sunday morning, which was held in the town of Chesterwood some fifteen minutes from Avelak. Caleb attended with Elsie, paying respects to the young fourteen year old girl who had tragically lost her life. Friends and family gathered, watching as their beloved friend and family member was put into her grave.

Emily’s parents were told to keep it closed casket by Sheriff Prescott himself, persuading the heartbroken couple that ‘she would be happier to not let her parents see her this way.’ They agreed of course, too broken beyond mend to argue with the Sheriff.

Elsie mustered up a single tear, which she tried to hide from Caleb who seemed to never have had shed a tear in his whole seventeen years of existence, even as an infant. It was quite depressing to Caleb, who had been surrounded by death and loss his entire life. He began to wonder if he was growing numb to it, as though it didn’t bother him as much since the death of his mother, Bev.

The gathering came to an end, sobbing friends and families went back home to mourn on their own. Emily’s parents, a plain, middle-aged couple, watched as the grave-diggers threw dirt onto her casket. It was a painful scene for everyone.

“Caleb?” A light voice was heard over Caleb’s shoulder. It was Nora, who wore a black laced dress to her knees, paired with a black headband which pinned her hair from her oval-shaped face. She seemed quite happy to see him, as though she weren’t expecting him to be at Emily Marshal’s burial.

“What are you doing here?” Caleb questioned, looking back at his saddened sister who stood alone, not wanting Caleb to pick on her for crying about someone’s death she had no relation to, then back at Nora.

“Same reason you are.” Nora seemed less than moved by the death of the girl.

Caleb stood, watching as the dirt piled into the six-foot hole in the ground.

“I think I should share something with you, Caleb.”

He looked down at the girl with listening eyes and ears.

She nervously caught his glare, and swallowed before she spoke. “As you… probably know, there was no prank. It was just an excuse to keep you from going to that game.”

Caleb had been certain of this, seeing as though Max had no recollection of this so called prank either. He pursed his lips, waiting for her to carry on with the truth.

She thought for a moment, staring at the graves around them. “I don’t really know how to say this but… that should have been you in that casket.”

Caleb pulled in his brows, perplexed. “What the hell does that mean?” 

Nora swallowed again. “It was sort of a fifty-fifty situation. Its was either you or her. I really like you, I mean, in a friendly sort of way. I’m not sure how to explain but-“
Nora was interrupted by a new voice entering the conversation. It was Maximilian Finch. He had arrived dressed prim and proper to the burial in black on black clothes; slacks, blazer, and shoes all a shallow shade. 

“Figured I’d see you here.” Max stated towards Caleb, trying his hardest to disregard the girl standing next to him.

“You know Nora Pennington?” Max spoke, pretending to be shocked and putting the spotlight on her. She hadn’t appreciated it though.

Caleb glared at her, then back at him. “You guys know each other?”

“Of course we do. How else would I know how much of an asshole he was?” Nora said harshly as she folded her sleeved arms. Caleb raised his brows, not expecting such fire from her. Max chuckled, pulling a lighter and cigarette into his hands. He had thought of so many insults, but chose to let them slide, which was unordinary for him.