**This story takes place DIRECTLY after my first story: Alone. It is heavy-handed and I have rated this story M. Trigger warning: heavy talks of suicide, depression, and the struggle to keep fighting. Please take this into account when reading. Also rated M for under-aged sex and talks of abortion. Reader beware.**

Chapter 9

Grace

"Can I pick you up today at two-thirty?" I asked Natalie as we walked out of the diner together after our shift. "We're still good?"

She nodded, lighting a cigarette. "Yeah, sure. The body pick up," she grinned at me. "That is one crazy way to spend a Saturday."

I smiled weakly. "Yeah," I agreed. "Okay, thanks." Pulling out the uniform I had stolen from the mortuary, I extended it to Natalie. "Here's the uniform. I borrowed it from a chick at the cemetery."

Natalie held it up with her free hand. "Oh yeah," she said, "that should fit."

"Good," I nodded. "See you in a few hours."

"Awesome. Wanna grab some food afterwards?" Making a face, I tilted my head, trying my best to look genuinely saddened. "Oh, sorry, Natalie. I have to deliver the remains to the mortuary and finish my shift. Thanks though. Rain check?"

She grinned as she let herself into her Honda. "Sure, Grace. Sounds good." Natalie hesitated, leaning on the roof of her car. "You heard from Serra?"

Pressing my lips together, I shook my head. "No," I said, but I got a phone call yesterday from a buddy down in Arkansas. He says that she's staying with them, so at least I know she's safe."

"That's something," Natalie agreed, taking a draw on her cigarette. "She's young, Grace. This is how teenagers deal with shit, you know?" I tried to agree without the pain of worry clenching my chest. "She'll be back."

"It's the longest we've ever been apart," I said quietly. "It's weird not having her around."

"I'll bet," Natalie agreed, tossing the butt of her cigarette on the ground. "She'll be okay." Nodding, I tried to smile again. I'm sure I just looked pained. "I'll see you at two-thirty." Natalie smiled and got into her Honda and started her engine. She put it in gear and drove away as I sat and started my own ignition. As the radio came on, I shook my head, hearing Johnny Cash come through the speakers.

Closing my eyes, I fought the tears that slid down my cheeks, listening to the lyrics slip through my chest.

What have I become

My sweetest friend

Everyone I know goes away

In the end

And you could have it all

My empire of dirt

I will let you down

I will make you hurt.

I gasped for breath and slammed my hand on the radio knob, silencing the voice that echoed through my car. Throwing my car into first gear, I peeled out of the parking lot, headed for home. I could deal with my overzealous emotions when I had finally retrieved Emery's body.