Her Funeral

(Sivan's Point of View)

It was the most bizarre funeral I have ever lived to witness. She was meticulously dressed in red fluxive dress looking like a sleeping princess. The soft white linen cloths, she lay on where articulately sprinkled with black petals by each passer-by. I could not wrap my head around this peculiarity.

Stepping on the grass, I faltered towards the makeshift bed that seemed to have grown with and out of nature. I could not help but notice just how breathtaking this scene was. The bed of stone seemed to have existed throughout the ages of time; For, why else would the creeping green flowered stems of nature adorningly sheath the dank jagged limestone?

On top of the ancient stone lay a puffed out bundle of linen cloth, which only allowed me to see the edges of the upper stone surface. It was fully covered with intermingled vegetation that looked comfortably soft to the eye. Taking my last stride to the closest spot I was allowed to reach, on the demarcated path, I gave her face my peering gaze. It may have been the descent of a goddess. Her makeup was as light as a feather, giving her a natural look. Her features were greatly enhanced; never like I would have remembered before. Though deathly pale she looked stunningly beautiful. The longer I stared, the more anxious I felt. I could not help but wonder. Why those plum little lips never spoke of her woes. She always was confident, jovial and spirited. Who could have thought she…?

"They say it was euthanasia, just another fancy name for suicide. You cannot put fecal remains on a golden plate" I could hear a lady sneering in the background. I was trembling in anger and frustration at her words. How can someone be so inhumane? What gives them the right, the audacity to sneer?! when they did nothing of help? But then again, am no different. I could have helped but I did not. It never crossed my mind that she could be suffering from unspoken recant strife. Maybe I just never noticed or chose to ignore the evident. Was I alluded by her constant smiles and laughter?

After sprinkling the handful of petals that lay in a woven basket hanging on the flowered makeshift pole beside the stone bed, I knelt down to light one of the many glass sheltered candles below. With a blank gaze I retreated back to my seat.

Disregarding the fact that it was a funeral, everything was designed and elaborately decorated to mimic a garden wedding. The only difference lay in where the altar was to be positioned. There was the makeshift stonebed in its stead. The despondent atmosphere just added more emphasis to the matter. No one was there to place any vows. Those called upon would silently walk the aisle and sprinkle the black petals on where she lay then light the scented candles below.

When all candles where lit, her father, mother and sister held a delicate large vase of clay. It was coat painted with black and white streaks and had her first name engraved in what appeared to be gold. They gently tipped it over her body in a swirl. The contents that poured from within soaked her whole being, together with the sheets she lay on. An alluring scent slowly drafted around. The family of four, now three took a step back as they threw a lighted candle on her chest. She instantly went ablaze.

It was a breathtaking sight as a sweet smell wafted over the plain. We all stood and watched in silence. Quarter an incense stick time later, we all slowly left the scene. Leaving the bereaved family to their devices.

They later fully cremated her body and kept her ashes in a clay jar with similar decorations and engravings as the vase from which they poured the scented oil. Till this day, you can see the elegant jar in a transparent glass enclosed cabinet in their living room. The jar tells whoever that happens to look at it, to remember her once elegant self.

And then I woke up.

huh?! It was all a dream? And that girl, isn't she the wanted A-list criminal? Did I know her before? Wait... if I did, she should be dead by now but she is not. This doesn't make sense!! I need to investigate this. And that is how my lazy self began stalking her. Cough! I meant to say Secretive Investigative Study...

(The Redeemer): You can thank me later for showing you your memories from your past incarnation, Sivan.