Black Cat, Arc II, Resurrection, chap II: The Funeral

Disclaimer: I don't have any rights concerning music I use in my fic's

it was autumn, and the leaves soared through the aired in a multitude of earthly colours. the wind that blew these leaf's was cold and dry. the sky grey, ominous with rain.

it was afternoon and the funeral was packed with people, sadness was in the air and it only called forth that many more tears. the priest was getting ready to hold the outdoor memorial. a monumental stone with a memorial plate with the names of the victims from the terrorist attack was on it. it was a clear silver, with white letters.

it had been impossible to identify all of the victims, which is why on the memorial plate written in clear white next to the Elbert's and Lilith was the name of Train Heartnet. The wind howled, as if trying to drown out the sorrow of the people gathered. A battle that not even it could win. The Priest stood ready, and cleared his throat. the attention came towards him, and with that he started his speech. . .

it was a long speak, it was a good speak, and it was sad speak. for it carried with it the memory of many.

"..as it is customary for a funeral service to listen to the music of the deceased, but in this case wouldn't be possible, I have chosen something, The Eagles - Doolin Dalton"

the silent tones of the music spread across the graveyard, mixed with sorrow of the living.

"Til your shadow sets you free If you're fast, and if you're lucky You will never see that hangin' tree"

Train overlooked the mass of people, dressed in black. In the end he had not been able to save anyone. tears streamed down his chins, for he had already lost everything more than once, and now it had happened again.

he could see Lilith's parent's in the mass, he had come to know them fairly well. he liked them, they liked him. and now he was a ghost. he felt like throwing up, he had a queasiness, and he wasn't to sure whether it would ever disappear.

"Better keep on movin', Doolin-Dalton"

Karl laid his hand on trains shoulder. He wanted to say something, but there was nothing he could say to mend this. a tragedy was the only way to describe it. he could only hope that time would heal his wounds without being too scarred.

"Well, the towns lay out across the dusty plains Like graveyards filled with tombstones, waitin' for the names " the music sounded. Train recalled how the days since he had been picked up and till now had passed.

Sitting beside the bed with the tones of the radio as his only comfort was how Train had spent his first day, he had not dared venture outside, or perhaps more, he could not must up the courage to open a door, and thereby leave his old life behind.

on the second day Train was woken by a knocking on the door, he had not expected himself to fall asleep, yet it seemed that he had dosed of. the knocking sounded again, followed by a deep voice saying "coming in". at first Train didn't recognize the man. though he quickly realized that this had been the driver of the black car. with him he carried a tray, two peaces fresh toast, still damping, and a boiled egg with a spoon by the side, not to forget square butter and a knife to finish the job. the man looked at Train, he looked wary of him but there was also sympathy in his eyes.

"here you go" the man said as he placed the tray on the bed beside of Train.

"..thank..you.." Train's voice was sore, it hurt to speak.

"I'll bring up a cup of milk and tea" the man said hurried as he left the room. it didn't take long before he returned with a warm cup of tea and a cup of milk.

the tea had a sweet scent to it and tasted vaguely of honey. Train felt tears streaming as he took the cup in both his hands and drank it, remembering the days of Mr's Elbert's winter mornings. the tea brought back memories and the milk brought back the cold realisation of what had happened.

As the evening drew by, and the sun was replaced by the vague darkness of the autumn sky, Train dared himself out of the room with him an empty tray and empty cups. what met him was a long hallway on his left. And a dead end on his right, with a painting of a lake. he knew he was on the first floor from what he had seen from his bedroom window. He walked down the corridor, till he came to a set of stairs. A refreshing smell of food came from downstairs. he walked down the stairs following the scent of food.

"So you decided to join us" Karl said as he laid eyes on Train from the kitchen table.

"where do you want me to put it?" Train said referring to the tray.

"right over there beside of Bob" Karl said, " oh, I'm sorry, the introductory part completely slipped my mind. I'm Karl, and this here is Bob" Karl said as he stood up and clapped Bob on the shoulder.

"I'm Train, Train Heartnet.." Train spoke, though his stomach spoke louder, which made Bob laugh a heartily.

"Dinner is ready soon, boy" Bob said and continued his cooking.

The next three days were eventless, Train came to know Karl and Bob. He learned that Bob was the driver/friend/butler/go to guy for Karl. Bob had a deep voice and a hearty laugh. Karl as well had a hearty laugh.

Discjockey Accap in the studio, now playing Band of Horses with the Funeral...

On the fourth day during dinner Karl mentioned that the Train's old city held a joint memorial service to honour the death's of the victims of the recent terrorist attack. Train had completely neglected the thought of a funeral. he realised then that he had not yet truly accepted what he had lost.

"..And to know you is hard and we wonder To know you all wrong, we were Really too late to call, so we wait for Morning to wake you; it's all we got To know me as hardly golden Is to know me all wrong, they were..." the music played on as Train sat in his own thoughts till Bob slapped him on the shoulder with a with a hearty smile upon his face.

The service had ended. which was fitting considering the heavy drops of rain that started. it rained so much in fact that everything in front of oneself became a blur.

Train walked over to the monumental stone. the rain was soaking him, it was as if he was standing in under a waterfall.

Lilith's father looked back one last time, when he saw a boy in the blur of the rain who looked like his daughter's boyfriend, Train. He ran towards the boy, but when he arrived there was none. just a spur of the mind he thought, as he burst into tears once more.

Train got into the car.

"It'll get better" Bob said, with his comforting voice.

the car started.

A/N: well the second chapter came later than I expected, I simply didn't have time, but now it is here! and if you didn't notice the chapters are quite a bit longer than they used to be, I reckon that this will be the average length from now on. as mentioned before Arc II is going to span quite a bit more than Arc I, on the other hand Arc III will probably become very short, whereas Arc IIII is where the story breaks through. but not to get ahead of myself still gotta finish the other Arc's x'D

and the music plays a far bigger role in the new Arc then it did in the previous, all good tracks, and hope you enjoy the intervening of the music and the story. I'll try to get in another chapter before the week ends.