CHAPTER SIXTY ONE: BURIAL CEREMONY.
\-ARTEMIS-
Bella refused to speak for days, locked up in her room like a stigmatized victim. Mom blamed it on me for acting all aggressive, but only I knew the truth behind it.
She had been shocked when I told her I knew about her connection with Catherine. She claimed it was a little bit her eyes spoke the opposite.
She had successfully killed Catherine without letting out a word. The inspector claimed her fingerprints were all over Catherine, but that wasn't enough evidence, as they were both in the same cell.
Bella kept arguing she knew nothing about Catherine's murder that day, but I cared less about whatever she said. All I knew was that she had plans and Catherine had been taken out to achieve them.
Since Catherine was an orphan, there was no one we could inform about her passing. Gramps, who had taken care of her, had died, and there was no one she chatted with on her phone. What a lonely lady.
The day of the burial came, and there I was crying my eyes out as they carried her casket to the orphanage church. Jamie had shown up in black, unable to stay away from the burial. He had conversed with Catherine severally, and he had also loved her character.
"We're all here because of our beloved friend, family, and sister, Catherine Madelyn, who has gone to rest in the bosom of the Lord." The Catholic mother let out on the altar.
I stared at the silver casket by the side of the altar, a portrait picture of Catherine and her beautiful smile standing before the casket.
"She's the nicest thing that has ever happened to anyone in this room. She was sweet, beautiful, and caring, no matter the age limit. I could remember when she made her first strawberry pie for the children at the orphanage. It was marvelous. Tears streamed down her face as she spoke.
"She showed the kids that there's more to life than being orphans." She spread happiness with her smile, her words motivating like a quote in a text. I wish she could be here to hear this, but then not everyone gets a chance to explain how they feel."
"We love her very much, but God loves her more."
The atmosphere in the church was that of sorrow as the Catholic mother walked down the altar, blessing her casket. The red candles by the side glowed as the Catholic mother blessed her casket.
The red candles were a sign of communication in Hyperion Heights. She was saying something, but no one could hear. "Catherine."
The prayer session for Catherine continued amidst the wails in the church. No one could hold back what they were feeling; she was just too nice to be gone so soon.
Four men in black suits walked into the church after the prayer was over, grabbing her casket at the corners and lifting it up.
Trumpets rolled as they marched to the orphanage graveyard. People crying at every angle as they mourned Catherine. Sooner than later, the church was empty, everyone following behind to watch them bury her six doors below."
I had stayed behind to cry my eyes out. I had tried to stay strong throughout the entire session, my heart beating rapidly with everyone's word of good deed. Catherine had been a help to a lot of people, and my family wasn't an exception.
"Artemis." Jamie whispered as he took his seat next to me. He had been very helpful ever since her death, and I wondered if I had misjudged him.
"She didn't have to die, Jamie." I couldn't stop the tears from flowing.
"No one could." He let out.
"I should have been there, Jamie. I could have gone to her quarters and figured it out earlier. I should have gotten home quicker."
"It's not your fault, Artemis." His arm found its way to my shoulder, bringing me in for a side hug.
I rested my head on his chest, letting my tears flow. I needed it; I needed his tender arms consoling me, assuring me I was going to be okay.
"Let it out, Artemis. You'll be fine." He said, patting my back like a little kid.
"What shall I say, Jamie? She was always there for me, made me feel like I was wanted. She was like the elder sister I never had." The memories flowed in as I wailed.
"I can understand Artemis. There's no one who wouldn't feel like that in such a state.
"You don't know what it's like, Jamie." I whispered beneath my breath.
"I actually do, Artemis." He whispered in my ear.
I gazed up at him, his eyes focused on the altar.
"It happened when I was thirteen. I had gotten a scholarship to one of the prestigious high schools in Hyperion." He paused.
"My dad had always thought of me as a failure, a boy that was too weak to fight for himself. He saw me as dumb, unable to achieve anything in life. My mom, on the other hand, saw me as the best thing that ever happened to her. She had always thought of me, motivated me to do better, and helped me with my assignment. The awarded scholarship was my way of repaying her."
His face went from plain to sober. "When I walked in, the entire room was silent. The maids had all abandoned their post gossiping in a corner as my father roared like a true Lion. I thought it was a fluke and he had lost a contract, but I was met with the opposite."
"She was on the bed, her heart had stopped, her body cold as ice. I had walked up to her, told her about my day in school, but she didn't flinch. She didn't let out a smile, didn't speak to me like she always did. I thought she was angry at me, but then when I raised her hand, it felt heavy, falling back on the bed."
A tear dropped from his eye. "It was at this point I knew that she was gone forever."
I couldn't speak, his emotions piercing through me. I had never seen the soft little lamb hidden between those icy glares and cold responses.
He had gone through a lot.
"Artemis. This is not the end of the world for you. You have to make Catherine proud; carry out whatever wish she had left undone." He gazed at me, his working their way down.
I raised myself up, our noses mildly away from each other. I could feel his breath on my neck, his lips curving into a smile.
"You'll always be Artemis no matter the situation."
I leaned in, taking his lips in mine. He opened up, taking me in. "What would I do without you?"