Chapter Four: Grieving
The corridors were dark, torches burning dimly on the walls as Remus slowly made his way through the school.
Layla lay motionless underneath a thin cotton sheet, her long dark hair cascading over the werewolf's shoulder like a silky black waterfall.
As he walked, the body in his arms seemed to grow heavier and heavier.
The drape slipped slightly, exposing the 16 year old's unnaturally pale face, as white and as cold as the fresh snow currently falling outside, her lips completely drained of all color.
Remus halted briefly, gazing down at the raven-haired teen's peaceful features before ever so gently readjusting the sheet and collapsing against the wall, his body wracked with great, heaving sobs of agony and loss.
After what felt to the heartbroken werewolf like forever, he slowly pushed himself off the wall and resumed his journey.
He walked into the Hospital Wing and made his way to the tiny door leading to the Morgue, located at the very end of the Infirmary.
Walking over to the bier in the center of the room, Remus carefully lowered his mate's lifeless body onto the cold marble surface before removing the sheet.
The werewolf's breath hitched as he gazed down at Layla's peaceful face, still so, so beautiful, even in death.
Her glossy black curls framed her unnaturally pale face perfectly in deep midnight waves.
Lovingly caressing the dark-haired girl's icy cheek, Remus broke down in fresh tears as he collapsed over the 16 year old's still form, sobbing uncontrollably.
"I'm sorry, Layla!" the werewolf wept, inconsolable with grief.
"I'm so, so sorry!"
His mate was dead and it was all his fault.