Hey, everyone! It's time for a brand new chapter of LOM. We got a time skip, Violet's funeral, and some more friend moments. It's gonna be sad at the beginning, but not for long. Anyways, hope you enjoy what you can of this chapter. Let's move right along!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 15: Wilted Flower Rests

The boys were currently making their way towards the cemetery. Well, only seven of them anyway. Albert had left out of the town the previous day to Pittsburg, to attend the funeral of Tommy's parents that was occurring the next day, not to mention spend a little time with Tommy before he came home.

And today, the remaining members of the Junkyard Gang were going to another funeral.

This time... to say goodbye to Violet.

It was something none of them were ready for, Harold especially. He wasn't sure if he was going to handle seeing the love of his life be lowered into the ground. He had a hard enough time seeing her at the wake the day before. A public viewing was set up by Mrs. Samson at the local funeral home from 3 PM to 6 PM. About everyone from school came to pay their respects to Violet.

By the time Harold had arrived at the home, and saw her... some in him broke. Even in death, she looked peaceful and beautiful. Wearing purple to match the color of her casket, with flowers in her hair. He remembered touching her hands, kissing her forehead, and even putting the ring he planned to propose to her with on her finger. That was the last time he ever saw her.

And now... here he was... about to say goodbye for good.

The Samsons were only able to afford a graveside service for their daughter, so once the boy arrived, they immediately saw Violet's casket on the lowering device, above a beautifully decorated burial vault. Harold approached the setup, placing his hand on the casket.

"I love you, Violet..." He whispered, "I'm always thinking of you..."

Tears pricked the corner of his eyes as he saw some people signing and writing messages on the lid of the burial vault. Russell was currently writing something. He supposed he should write something too. Taking a marker, he wrote down just what he had said.

At that moment, a limo was pulling up to the cemetery.

Violet's family.

Immediately, the boys took their seats just as someone opened the door of the limo. Mrs. Samson, and Violet's younger siblings, Chuckie and Lily, walked out. Mr. Samson was absent, still being in the hospital. The fact that he was unable to attend his daughter's homegoing was sad itself.

Mrs. Samson was already in tears. A few relatives were holding onto her to lead her to her seat. But as she did sit down, right in front of her daughter's body, she broke down in uncontrollable sobs. The boys' hearts went out to her.

It wasn't long before the service began. The priest started with the opening remarks, a prayer of comfort, some words about the ongoing murders (stuff the gang had heard about already from the previous homegoings they attended). And of course, it was time for anybody to say something about Violet.

Harold decided to go first, just so he could get it over with, "Violet was... my girlfriend. We met during our sophomore year and hit it off pretty well. I remember when she was so afraid to tell me where she lived because she thought I wouldn't love her. But I told her, it's not where you live, it's how you live. I loved Violet, and I didn't care if she lived in a poor neighborhood, because I wanted to be with her. I... I was planning to propose to her after high school... but... I know that she would want me to be happy. And I am..." Tears started to fall again, "I'm happy to have met and dated such a great girl. I love you, Violet. And I miss you so much!"

With that, he sat down as everyone applauded him. Some of Violet's other friends, teachers, and even her siblings shared stories they had with her. After that, a song was sung, with one more prayer, and it was soon time...

Flowers were placed on Violet's casket by friends and family before they were all dismissed to allow the pallbearers to lower her into the Earth. Violet's mother was still a wreck, so she was definitely led away from having to see her daughter be buried. Harold walked away also, deciding he would come back later when everything was taken care of. He looked down at the program for the service, seeing Violet's smiling face, her name, her birth, and death date. He placed his face in the program to hide the tears that continued to fall...

It wasn't fair... it just wasn't fair... or right... or humane. Because he knew he'd have to deal with Tiffany's funeral soon as well.

It was all too much!

"You okay, man?"

The tall boy turned to see Bill beside him, looking concerned. Harold wiped his tears with a small smile, "Not really... but don't worry, I'll be okay... soon."

"Mrs. Samson invited us all to the community center for dinner. You coming?"

"I gotta go home to check on my family. But I'll be by later if I can."

"Alright, man."

With that, Harold walked down the street. Bill couldn't help but feel bad for him, but at the same time, amazed. His friend had lost not only his girlfriend, but his little sister in such a short time span, and he was taking it all relatively well. Of course he let out his tears, but he hasn't gone insane over it. Maybe he had a thick skull, maybe he was just trying to remain strong.

Whatever the case was, Bill had to give props.

The Cosby boy felt a tiny hand slip into his. He looked down to see Russell looking back up at him. Bill smiled at his brother, "Are ya hungry?"

The small boy nodded without saying a word.

"Let's head for that center. Get us some fresh soul food."

Later on, after dinner, the boys separated to all go home since it was so late. Harold had returned to the cemetery after everything was done and over with. The tall boy felt a lump in his throat as he approached Violet's final resting place. The grave was covered with many violets, complete with a flower-themed headstone that their classmates came together to fund. Harold himself thought of the message on said headstone, scripted in a beautiful font.

Violet Elizabeth Samson

April 13, 1969- May 23, 1985

Loving daughter, sister, and friend

'Could always make something outta nothing'

"She sure could..." He said to himself after reading the quote. Getting on his knees, Harold placed a hand on the headstone, "Hey, Violet... I hope you're doing good... it's been pretty hard without you... but I'm hanging in there..." He whispered, "It's just been so crazy these past few weeks. So many people are dying. Bobby Hanson, Elaine Withrow, Devery, Tommy's parents, Peewee, Miss Johnson, Ms. Breyfogle... you... and now Rudy's dad and my sister Tiffany are gone..."

The mere mention of his sister was enough to make Harold tear up, a single drop landing on the headstone, "I just don't know what's going on... but I do know... that whoever killed you and the others... they have some sort of... grudge against me and the guys. Whatever it is, I don't know. But... I'm sure we'll find out soon enough, and you have my word... that you'll get justice. One way or another... I love you, Violet. I always will..."

With that said, Harold blew a kiss to the headstone. Somehow... he could feel that his beloved Violet was looking down at him with a smile. And if he could, he would have felt her spirit hugging him, and heard her speak to him.

"I love you too, Harold... I know you'll do everything you can to bring everything to a stop..."

Finally, after a week of holding it in, Harold hunched over, half suppressing the sobs that escaped his mouth. For days, he had tried his hardest not to break down in front of his friends. He felt like he had almost no privacy to grieve on his own, with helping Violet's family, as well as his own as of now. Now that he was alone, he could sob and cry and scream all he wanted, and no one was there to judge him for it.

... As if anybody would judge him. A person with a brain would understand what he was dealing with, therefore, they would not blame him for his sobs.

About an hour later, Harold calmed down and decided to head home, now that it was dark outside. He walked down the street, with a lot of thoughts racing in his mind. He promised that Violet and the other victims would get some form of justice for their murders... but how. The murderers with very good at hiding their tracks. It might take weeks for the police to find them... or months... or years...

"It feels like this is just getting harder and harder..." He said to himself, "But I know we'll overcome it somehow... they'll find the killers, and everyone can be in peace again. This can't keep happening forever... it just can't..."

By the time Harold returned home, he saw his father in the living room watching television. The man smiled at his son, "How was it?" He asked in reference to Violet's funeral.

"It was nice... it was perfect, and she would've loved it." Was the tall boy's response, "I just got back from the cemetery... it felt like Violet was with me..."

"I believe she was. The person you lost will always be with you in spirit."

"I know... you think Tiffany's doing the same?"

"Of course..."

Before another word could be said, the phone began to ring, "I'll get it..." Harold walked over to the other side of the room, picking up said phone, "Hello?"

"Hey, dude..."

It was Rudy. What was he doing"

"Rudy? What's up?" The tall boy asked his rich friend.

"Just calling to see how you're doing since earlier. I know things are really rough right now for ya... as they are for me."

"Tell me all about it. My folks are planning to have a small memorial service for my sister. She's gonna be buried before the events start. Things are gonna be different for us..."

Harold heard Rudy sigh on the other end, "Yeah... I heard my Mom talking to my aunt and uncle. They're planning... to have my Dad... cremated, and the funeral... is next Saturday. I also heard that Mr. Tyrone is gonna help fund the whole thing, since you know, my Dad worked for him and stuff, and some other people are working something to honor him. It's gonna be a huge event, even though my mom wants to keep it small."

"Wow. I knew your Dad was really well known, but they're really going all out for him."

"Yeah. I just hope my mom won't be too stressed out by all this. After all, she's suppose to have the final say anyway..."

Harold smiled a little, "Well, whatever happens, just know that we'll be there to support ya, Rudy."

The rich boy chuckled, "I know you will..." There was some shuffling in the background, before Harold heard Rudy speak more, "Oh... shh... it's okay, Melba. You're okay. Go back to sleep..."

"Wait? Melba's at your house?" The tall boy asked.

Rudy sighed again, "Yeah. She's been here the day I brought her to meet my family. Kid doesn't want to go home... it reminds her too much of Devery she told me. So, I'm more than happy to let her stay, and Mom is cool with it too."

"Man. Poor kid. She hasn't been the same since Devery died." Harold shook his head.

"I know... but she'll be okay... we all will... well, I'ma let you go for tonight, dude. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Alright, man. I think all of us could use some downtime, let's just hope nothing else happens. Goodnight."

"Night..."

With that, Harold hung the phone up, he was prepared to head for bed, when he noticed something by the door. Curious, the teen walked over to pick it up. They were little decorated cards, as he recognized them as the messages of sympathy everyone was working on for the loved ones of the victims. It looked like a few was made for him and his family. Three of them were from friends were wrote on empathy for his family... the last one...

Dear Harold,

Than you for taking care of our sister. We love her and we love you!

-Chuckie and Lily

Harold smiled at that. Violet's siblings are always so sweet. It was amazing how innocent young kids could be, especially during such a crazy time. Perhaps there was still some good in the world.

Just perhaps...

Aww. That message to Harold was adorable. So we say goodbye to Violet, but Harold knows she's still with him in his heart, and we get a glimpse of how Rudy is doing, especially now that Melba is with him. Next chapter will be another chill chapter, no murders or anything, just the guys hanging together with friends. It'll be another breather before we arrive to the eventual chapter focusing on Rudy's father's big funeral. And THAT will be a tearjerker, so make sure you have tissues on hand when it comes.

PS: I gave Violet's little sister a name since she wasn't given one in the show.

But until then, I'll see you guys later. And as always, don't forget to review, please. Thank you.