Summary:
Hannah talks about the day she hears the devastating news and Beth talks about the day of Sam's funeral.
Hannah's P.O.V.
Once help finally arrived, my siblings, Chris and I went to tell them about what happened to Sam. We all agreed to not tell them about the monster because, I mean, who would believe us? We told them she fell off the cliff and demand them to search where she fell. They began the search party once we were back to safety. Back in California. Everyday I don't here from any updates, the more my heart twists and hope started dripping away.
It took a week for them to find Sam but it wasn't very good news. Sam's body was found covered in her own blood, half her body eaten by something. But me, my siblings and Chris KNEW what that 'something' was. All of us took it pretty hard, considering that Sam was pretty close to everyone. Sam was always so live-like. She loved the nature that surrounded her. She was always so friendly, always a wide smile on her face. she was pretty bold. That's why everyone admired her. She was always so courageous, not afraid on taking risks. I would cry every night, dreaming of the night she was taken away from us. Beth would comfort me and, together, would cry on each other's shoulders for hours. She would tell me it was her fault because she chose me over saving us all. But in my defense, I felt it was all my fault.
If I hadn't ran away, If I could have just ran to my room and locked myself inside, If I didn't went to the woods, she could have been alive! Sam, my best friend, would be alive and would still be in our lives! My fault, my fault, MY FAULT! They would tell me it wasn't my fault but I highly doubt that.
Josh took it hard than all of us did. Everyone knew they had a little connection. They would flirt and tease each other a while. Me and Beth would always tease Sam about maybe her being their sister-in-law or them being the cutest couple in the world. She would always protest by saying joke but, me and Beth can see the blush of her cheeks. Once Josh heard of the devastating news, he looked broken. He looked like the part of him that we all liked, the joking-partying-annoying-lovable Josh Washington, had died that day. He would always lock himself in his room and he will only allow me, Chris and Beth to come inside and comfort him. Chris would come and comfort sometimes when he's free. It was pretty hard on all of us. It'll be more hard on Sam's funeral tomorrow.
I didn't want to come at first, neither did Josh, but we had to go and say goodbye and pay our respects. I just wish-
Knock. Knock.
"Yes?"
"Hannah, it's time to go." Beth tells me, wearing her funeral floral black dress.
"I'll be right there."
Well, here goes nothing..
Beth's P.O.V.
We took Josh's car to get to the church, since our parents are busy with work and all that. My heart stopped when I took a glance of the church where the funeral was held. I couldn't help but feel unwanted there. I let her almost die by the hands of that creature. Reminding myself of that thing makes a shiver through my spine. I would dream about that monster every night. I was starting to think I need to go to therapy for this.
Once we arrived at the church, I couldn't help but stare at the entrance door. Am I worthy to enter? After what I did? I was disturbed by my thoughts when Hannah called me to come out. I slowly exited the car, keeping my eyes to the entrance. I let out a deep breathe.
"Breathe in. Breathe out. You can do this, Bethany." I whispered to myself before walking to the entrance.
Once we entered the church, everything smelled like candles. I felt my stomach turn when I hear sobs from behind the other door. This wasn't suppose to happen. We shouldn't be here for Sam's funeral. it felt so wrong. So terribly wrong. I resist from shredding into tears when I opened the door to see the closed coffin and the picture I took of Sam at her graduation. She looked so happy, so excited for her life in the future. Her future wasn't meant for her to watching us on a cloud.
I could see Sam's parents in the corner of the room. I can see Sam's mother sobbing while Sam's father is rubbing her back while a tear has escaped from his left eye. Poor Ms. and Mr. Jensen. This wasn't suppose to happen. I didn't realize a tear had escaped my eye when i felt my tear drop landing on my second finger.
"Don't cry. Save that for the ceremony." I thought to myself, wiping away the next tear that escaped my other eye.
It was almost time for the ceremony to start, so I sat next to my sister who had already been crying, her eyes puffy and red. Some people had made some words for Sam, most it was short but I'm sure Sam was thankful. I was startled when Hannah walked in front for some words.
"I-I don't have anything to read from this, actually. No words on paper can describe what Sam meant to all of us." Hannah croaked. She let out a sigh before continuing,
"Sam was my best friend. Sh-She always know how to make me feel better when I was down." She smiled. "I would never forget the smile she gave me, to all of us. I will never forget that smile that was so contagious. So full of light."
"Sh-sh-she was like my third sister. We grew up together. I loved her like a sister l-loves a sister." She says, looking at the audience while a tear dripped from her cheek. "Sam loved someone. And I pretty know some of you know who that person is." She says, looking at the back where her friends had seated.
"Well, DUH!" Emily chimed, receiving laughs and chuckles from everyone.
Hannah chuckled before continuing,
"She-She loved you, Josh. She loved you as more than a friend. She w-was planning on telling you in the lodge, you know. Since she didn't get the chance, I'm telling you for her." Hannah said, locking eyes with her brother's.
I took a glance to my brother to see him frozen in place with shock, I can see he wanted to cry but I knew my brother wants to stay strong even if he can't hold it for much longer.
"She would be happy, knowing you know the truth. I was soon starting to hope when my first niece or nephew would come and join the family." Hannah chuckled, looking at Sam's graduation frame photo. I can hear chuckles from behind me. I couldn't help but chuckle as well. I could have sworn I could see Josh actually smiling.
"W-We'll all miss her. She was a daughter, a hero, a-a-a friend... a sister.." Hannah finished, tears falling down on her cheeks. I started to cry as well. I hugged my sister once she came back to her seat, to congratulate her for being so brave. I pulled away suddenly.
"Hey, is that Sam's dress?" I asked, looking down at the dress.
"Y-Yeah. I thought she'd liked me to wear it." Hannah said, looking down at the dress, as well.
"I think she'd like it too." I agreed, hugging her again.
Once we arrived back home, I landed on my bed, tired from the day I had. I couldn't help but feel her presence. I don't know if I'm being crazy but, I felt like her ghost had came to visit one last time before resting in peace. I felt myself drifting myself to sleep. I fell asleep peacefully that day, hearing a soft whisper in my ear,
"I forgive you..."
