Death, Sex, and Cremation

Chapter 1; Ally and Stanly

I guess you can say the smell of burning bodies never truly grows on you. After being with Stanly since I was four I still haven't gotten used to it. Stanly is my adoptive father, he took me in after my parents were murdered. Course all I can really remember is a lot of blood and the police dragging me from my mother's body, they said I was trying to stop the slash in her throat from bleeding.

After what seemed forever being interviewed though I finally saw a familiar face. Stanly was a long life friend of my parents so I grew up with him. I remember running to him and clutching myself to his leg and he petted my head.

"Uncle Stanly's gonna take care of you now Ally." He said picking me up and holding me to his chest.

We left the station shortly after that. As I looked up, I saw the people accused of my parents death, they were arrested not long after I got to the station. Something wasn't right about Uncle Stanly though, the look on his face was harsh and deadly, but I was so young I couldn't know what he was thinking…this all seemed so long ago…

"ALLY!" Uncle snapped me out of thoughts.

I shot my head up as he approached me, "Sorry Uncle, What is it?"

He looked at me worried, "Are you okay?"

"Yes Uncle I as just… thinking…" I trailed off.

"About Sally and Fred?"

"Yeah…about mom and dad but it's fine, so what did you need?"

"Come help me clean up, we're done for the day." He scooted off into the next room.

I stood from the pew and followed after him. Together we went into the basement where the crematorium was. I ran my fingers along the slim black boxes lining the walls. The ashes in these boxes didn't concern me at all. These people had it coming, most did anyways. They did bad things so Uncle took care of them. He said it was to protect me and I believe him. Uncle was harsh at times, but always showed he loved me.

"Grab me that urn behind you Ally." He pointed to a small silver vase on the top shelf.

I looked annoyed at him. Only being five foot five inches I always had to get on the latter, which I hated. I had a fear of falling off, not heights. "You know I hate that latter."

"I won't let you fall dear, I promise."

I growled under my breath and stepped onto the latter, clinging to it as I got higher. After getting to the shelf I felt Uncles slender hand on my ankle, showing me he was ready to catch me. Swiftly I grabbed the urn and started descending from my spot, letting Uncle hold my hips as I got lower.

I hopped off the latter and handed him the urn, "piece of cake."

"So brave." He teased and went to scoop the new ashes into the urn.

I grabbed the duster and started cleaning up the tables and other urns on the lower shelves. Uncle finished and went back upstairs to take a break and do a few of his crazy cross-word puzzles.

Not long after I finished cleaning I heard people talking above me. Quietly I made my way up to the church like set up and saw a family of three talking to Uncle. I stepped out from behind the curtains and approached the family.

"Oh! Who is this?" The older woman of the group asked in a sweet but sad voice.

"This is Ally, my adoptive daughter and apprentice to my work," Uncle answered for me, "Ally these are the Weavers, they have recently lost a close loved one."

"My condolences," I whispered.

"So you guys don't do regular funerals yet you have a coffin?" Mr. Weaver asked.

"No it is more for show, it sometimes calms the customers. "I answered seeing my uncle getting annoyed, "If you're looking for a good funeral home we have some brochures by the entrance."

"Thank you dear, you're so sweet." Mrs. Weaver said.

"No problem," I walked towards the entrances and grabbed a few papers.

The Weavers thanked my uncle and came to me taking the papers and thanking me. They walked out the door as I heard the daughter calling my uncle a freak. She stomped to me as I gave her a mean face.

"You have a problem bitch?" She asked shoving me out of the way, "yeah didn't think so ugly emo freak."

I watched her slam the door behind her. Uncle came up to me and pulled on my shoulder. I turned to him and looked down to the carpet.

"I have a new victim for you Uncle."

"That's what I was thinking Ally."