Grumbling, I lean into Darius on my other side. “Can we go home now,please?” I ask the youngest O’Brien.
“You wanted to come, it won’t be too much longer now.”
We’re at the same place they held Tripp and Auggie’s memorial. On the same day, but one year apart.
I thought it would be okay, that it wouldn’t hurt as much as it does, but the déjà vu hasn’t let up since I sat down.
Made worse by every passing moment, by every familiar face I see.
But this isn’t Tripp and Auggie’s memorial.
It’s Carrie’s. William’s. Julia’s. The countless others who were found buried on the Thorne’s estate.
We are near the back, but there are people surrounding us on every side. The family and friends of all the deceased. It’s nearly the entire town that fills up the crowd. The victims had touched so many lives.
Julia’s parents are sobbing in the front row. I had tried to tell them how sorry I was, to apologize, but her mother had fallen apart.
I didn’t blame her. They were on a forced vacation while their daughter was being abused and murdered.
My parents are notably absent. They had asked if I wanted their company, but I declined. Our relationship is still rocky, but we are healing.
“Is there anyone else who wishes to speak?”the priest asks. He’s the same one as before.
It is with shock that I see Luna jump to her feet. She was buried in the crowd and I hadn’t seen her prior. She marches to the front, elbows the priest out of the way, and hardens her shoulders.
Even from this distance, I can see the glassiness in her eyes.
“Fuck, I loved you William. You did the best you fucking could.” She clenches her jaw, wipes away her tears, stares down her nose at the crowd, surveying them. “He helped as much as this town would let him. He was young and did more than half of you were willing to do. So let this be a fucking lesson. Open your Goddamn eyes. Don’t be complicit, because in my mind, it makes you just as guilty as the disgusting Thornes and their lackeys.” Luna spits on the ground before marching away.
She passes us and finds my gaze. She inclines her head in greeting, her lips quirking before continuing her path to the parking lot.
There is a resounding silence followed by Julia’s mom’s intensifying sobs.
“Alright, let’s go inside.” Darius squeezes me, helping me up and out of my chair. Grayson and Axel closely follow us.
The men wrap around me, my protection, my strength. Time has passed and our relationship has grown,shifted. It took time for us to settle into it, to not always be waiting for the next shoe to drop, but now that we have?
It’s peaceful. Serene. A warm bath after a very long, arduous journey.
“Wildflower, what’s on your mind?” Darius’s voice caresses against my ear as we walk inside the cathedral.
“I miss them,” I say. “All of them. I wish–”
Axel cuts me off, sealing his lips to mine. “No more wishes,” he warns humorlessly, breaking free and tugging me towards Veronica.
She’s huddled with her mother in a corner.
Her father’s sentencing is quickly approaching. Along with hundreds of others.
Our little town had made national news and the government was forced to step in. To smooth out the kinks left in its wake. Even still victims were being found and recovered throughout the country.
Complicit.
This town wascomplicitfor too long, but now there is a noticeable change in the air. It almost feels lighter. The restaurant has been livelier. The crowd friendlier and jovial.
But there is also still a heavy shroud of pain.
Making my way through the people in the cathedral, Tiffany steps into my line of view. “Sunday.” It’s the first time I’ve seen her since the underground prison.
