ick, sweet, and cloying, hanging in the air of

wn at the closed casket. It was draped in white r

ring. They spoke of "tragedy" and "fortune" in the same br

dry eyes with a lace handkerchief, accepting co

end," Kassidy sniffl

ock over the flower arrangements. But she

om banged open. The sound echoed like a g

stro

air temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees. He wore a black

casket. He walked st

rehearsed tremble, reaching out a hand as if

aught h

it. Kassidy gasped, her knee

hes from hers. The silver ma

e driver, Kassid

ooked like the corpse in the room. Her eyes darted

ow what you mean

oked at his hand as if he ha

It was a command spoken with the absolu

ts and a protesting Florene out the doors. Florene tried to sho

boomed shut. T

alone with

und was the hum of the air conditi

ly. His fingers trembled as t

loser, her heart

gainst the lid. "I'm sor

, restless sleep, when nightmares haunted him. It confirmed everything she had ever feared

nds. He unbuckled the leat

sk clattered

ars of marriage, she had n

hite tissue. They distorted his left eye slightly, pulling the skin ta

ed, ruined face. They dripped

t you into my world. I thought... if I just kept you at arm's leng

since the day you gave me that bandage in the gard

hidden devotion crushed her. He was the boy from th

med, diving toward hi

ng shoulders. But as she made contact, a bl

pernova. It enveloped the room, swall

her. She was being pulled away from h