I stood silently and listened to the priest speak his words at the funeral of my family. My dead family. It is all my fault. The priests words are faint inside my head, but I hear them clearly. I decide I should honor my parents one last time at least, and listen respectfully. After all, it is their funeral.

"We are gathered here to say farewell to Andrew and Natalie Prior and to commit them into the hands of God," starts the priest, "Lord our God, you are the source of life. In you we live and move and have our being. keep us in life and death in your love, and, by you grace, lead us to your kingdom, Through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord."

I bite the inside of my cheek to stop the tears from falling. My heart feels like it is being stabbed repeatedly.

"Amen." I whisper, my voice drowning by the strong yet sad voices.

"In the Name of God, the merciful Father, we commit the bodies of Andrew and Natalie Prior to the peace of the grave." Says the priest.

I allow my tears to fall. Sobs rack through my body, leaving me with short gasps as breaths.

I look up to see the priest letting three handfuls of earth fall onto the coffin"You gave them life. Receive them in your peace and give them , through Jesus Christ, a joyful resurrection," he starts, "Lord God, our Father in heaven, Lord God, the Son, and Saviour of the world, Lord God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. At the moment of death, and on the last day, save us, merciful and gracious Lord God." He finishes.

I make silent prayers while rearms stream down my face. I bit my lip to the point of blood, trying to desperately to hold in the sobs. I feel a hand touch my shoulder and I look up to see my best friend looking at me with a sad smile.

I attempt to smile back but more tears fall instead. He pulls me into a tight embrace and whispers words of encouragement into my ear.

"U-Uriah they're dead b-because of m-m-me! If I d-didn't insi-ist they w-wouldn't be d-d-d-dead," I say in between sobs.

"Don't you dare say that Beatrice Prior! This isn't your fault. It is the drunk driver's fault, not yours. Okay?"

I nod, not being able to form words.

"Our Father in heaven, we thank you that, through Jesus Christ, you have given us the gift of eternal life. Keep us firm in the faith, that nothing can separate us from your love. When we loose someone who is dear to us, help us to receive your comfort and to share it with one another. We thank you for what you have given us through Andrew and Natalie Prior. We now entrust ourselves to you, just as we are, with our sense of loss and of guilt, When the time has come, let us depart in peace, and see you face to face, for you are the God of our salvation." I hear the priest say.

"Amen." I say along with everyone else.

I block out the rest as I try to think of the good times I had with my family. I flinch when I feel someone touch my shoulder. I look up to see Uriah looking at me expectantly, as if asking me if I'm there.

"Come on, Tris, the service is over." He says.

I stand up and nod, not daring to look behind me.

...

After he drops me off I decide to get ready for bed. I hop in the shower and let the hot water wash away my pain..for now. I get out of the shower and dry myself, along with my hair. I brush my teeth and change into one of my father's old T-shirts. It still smells like him. The thought makes tears sting in the back of my eyes.

I get into bed and cry myself into a deep sleep, filled with nightmares.

Hi everyone!

This is my very first story. I'm pretty sure it sucks. Please take it easy on me!

please tell me what you think.

~Kayla