A/N: Well, it is now tradition to post the first two chapters of a book for me. That way, I get more reviews! ^_^ Happy reading and remember to review!

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Chapter One: Thus it starts

It was the day of Brian's funeral. Meryl hadn't spoken since she left his hospital room. All of her bandages had been taken off, and only a few cuts remained. She still was staying at the hospital, but had tried school the day before, and had to leave on account of her grief, and the fact that she was too sad to speak. Many students passed by her with pity and sympathy in their eyes.

Meryl now sat at a pew in the front row, next to Brian's parents and his sister. His mother was in a fit of tears, his father looked like he was bewildered and grief-stricken. Megan was quiet; the full force of her brother's mysterious disappearance hadn't sunk in yet. She would understand soon enough.

The pastor began speaking. He told about Brian's childhood, his middle school years, and finally his high school years. He talked about the great friends that Brian had, Meryl included, and he talked about the future that he wanted to have.

"Brian wanted to be an architect. He loved to draw houses, and he wanted to watch his creations come to life," he said sadly. Meryl was saddened, because he had finished drawing their dream house just the day before their accident. The blueprints were stashed away in a file in her desk.

The pastor then invited his friends and family to come and talk about Brian. His best friend, Jason, began talking about how they met, the adventures they used to have, and how he had met Meryl, the love of his life.

Meryl glanced down at her cast. There, resting on her arm, were his last written words: I'll love you forever, even past the day I die. Meryl, remember me. Remember me as I once was.

Brian.

"Meryl?" asked Jason at the podium, interrupting her thoughts. "Would you like to say something?"

Meryl looked up and nodded through her tears. She quickly dried them off and stood up. Whispers ran through the crowd of the kids from her school. They hadn't heard her speak for two days. What would she say now?

Meryl walked to the podium, ignoring her classmates' whispers. Jason waited there and gave her a big hug. He then stepped down and handed the mike to Meryl.

Meryl looked out at the crowd. She took a deep breath and began. "Words cannot explain my grief over the loss of Brian. Being the one that he last spoke to, and being the one there when he --he..." her voice trailed off. Hearing the whispers, she quickly regained her composure. "In memory of Brian, I will sing a song that we both loved. I am saddened to say, I've never sang by myself in front of him." A few chuckles went through the crowd of kids. They knew about Meryl's stage fright. "It grieves me that I finally sing in front of him, but he's not here physically to hear it. This is "For an angel", by Kristen Graves."

A piano began playing the introduction. Meryl took a breath and sang, her clear voice filling the church:

Last night I had a dream

After thoughts today it seems

Your walk through the fire for me

meant everything

As the moon slipped in the night

I was feeling quite unsure

Now the nightmare's over

and everything's alright

You made me feel beautiful

and I know this much is true

When I asked for an angel

I was given you

Your smile lights up the dark

you lift me when I'm down

Through the truth you've shown me grace

You'll always have your place in my heart

I would not live my life again

without you by my side

This journey's been worth living

the talks, the laughs, and the cries

Do you see me when you look in my eyes?

The windows to my soul

there's no more fear inside

What was now is gone

You made me feel beautiful

and I know this much is true

When I asked for an angel

I was given you

Here on earth and while I'm dreaming

you help bring me to life

Gratitude could never do justice

for standing by my side

Your smile lights up the dark

You lift me when I'm down

Through the truth you've shown me grace

You'll always have your place in my heart

You made me feel beautiful

and I know this much is true

When I asked for an angel

God gave me you

Meryl closed her eyes. {This is for you, Brian,} she thought. She took another deep breath. "I thank you for listening. I know that we'll all miss Brian, and we'll always remember him." She rubbed the cast on her arm, right where his message was. {I promise that I will. I know I will.}

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After the funeral, Meryl went to her silent state once again, She hadn't said a word for the rest of the funeral or on the ride home.

When she had returned home, she changed out of her black dress and took off her dress shoes. She put on a pair of gray yoga pants, that were made of cotton. She pulled on a pale pink tank top and put on a white sweater that was loosely woven, so as to reveal the color of the tank top underneath. She pulled her light brown hair in a ponytail and slung a black leather purse over one shoulder. She went downstairs for dinner, and she refused to talk during the whole meal. If she was spoken to, she would merely nod, shake her head, or shrug.

A nose shoved its way into her lap. She patted her dog, whose name was Dae. His name was fitting, for in Sindarian it meant, "shadow." He was a black Labrador, only a year old. Already it seemed like he had appointed himself as the family guardian, for he always kept a close watch on Meryl and her family.

Meryl decided that after dinner, she would take Dae out for a walk. She wrote a note and left it on the counter, put on a pair of shoes, and went to capture Dae. When she finally succeeded, she tied a rope to his leather collar, being that she couldn't find his leash. If Dae wasn't securely tied, he would break loose and run away. She had some difficulty tying the rope to his collar, because he was bouncing all over the place, and there was the fact that she had her broken arm.

"You are an excited one aren't you?" Meryl asked softly. She was startled by the slight huskiness in her voice. She figured that it was because she had refused to talk for such a long time.

"It's amazing I was able to sing," she whispered.

Dae didn't mind this. He leaped up and planted his paws on Meryl's shoulders, forcing her to fall onto the floor. He then licked her face.

"Dae, NO!" she cried. "Bad dog."

She struggled to her feet, pulling the makeshift leash tight, forcing Dae to walk beside her. She tied the leash to her right wrist and opened the door and stepped outside with Dae at her heels. The cool air was slightly brisk, but she welcomed the change in the atmosphere.

They turned east and began to walk. Night fell upon them in a short while. The streetlights each lit up, casting a radius of light in all directions. Dae walked through one, a moving shadow cutting through the light.

"Just like his namesake," Meryl said softly.

They walked past a house with a window that was open. Classical music drifted out. Mozart, it seemed to be. The house across the street had Christmas lights already on their home, for December was only a few months away. All around them was quiet until-

Dae's ears pricked. He barked and took off at a run, dragging Meryl behind him. She couldn't free herself because she had tied the rope to her wrist.

"Dae, stop!" she yelled. "Bad dog! No!"

She noticed what had caught her dog's attention. A cat lounged on a garbage can across the street. It hissed at Dae, who barked in the joy of the chase, and charged across the street.

A car sped around the corner. Meryl never heard its horn as it warned her to move out of the way. The last thing that she remembered was a loud screech of rubber on pavement, before being plunged into darkness.

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Some people call me the Queen of Cliffhangers. I dunno why... -shrugs- Anyways, PLEASE REVIEW!!! Because: Your comments + My Superior Writing Skills = A better book. No flames please, for they will be used for end of the year campfire. -glances over at her teddy bear, Lij, who is sitting on the top of her computer- Isn't that right Lij? -No answer- Fine don't answer me.

By the Lion's Mane,

Leo