chapter 6

No, I didn't sleep. I didn't even try this time. I just stayed on the bed, mind blank, and before I knew it was morning. honestly, it surprised me that I hadn't passed out yet.

I got dressed and put on the sunglasses. Actually uncle Duncan told me that he had meant to buy contacts, but wasn't sure which color I wanted to we would go get them today.

The funeral was... odd or maybe it was just me. There were more people than I had expected. Most of them were old men in uniform. Military probably. some stared at me a lot. It felt so uncomfortable but uncle Duncan held my hand the entire time and glared at those who stared too long.

The coffins were brought out, draped in the country's flag, and trumpets were blown. It was quite a show.. surprisingly I didn't feel a thing. I didn't cry or try to go into the grave with them. I was as if that wasn't my family. I don't know, it all felt so cereal as I had already accepted it. Or I just couldn't bring myself to show any emotion.. what if the mastermind was among the crowd. I wouldn't give them the pleasure of seeing me distraught. I wanted them to see me as strong and be worried because I would find them. I swear it.

Once the show, ah my mistake 'funeral' was over, almost all the men came to me shaking me and offering their condolences. It passed like a blur. Then it was time for the reading of the will.

The only people present were my uncle and me. Oh, there was also this strange lady in black that I hadn't seen a the funeral. she was tall and lean, with long blonde hair reaching her back. She wore a business suit and didn't even give my uncle or me a glance as she sat. rude!

The reading was quick. Apparently, Dave was quite wealthy, with properties all over the world. He left 40% to me and another 40% to David, but since David is dead I got 80%. Uncle Duncan to his shock got 10%. He looked surprised that he got anything at all. The last 10% was given to charity. Uncle Duncan was also listed as my sole guardian and it stated that if he refused a should be put in the system immediately. And he would also have full control of my share till I was of age, which if you ask me is LAME.

As for the mysterious lady in black, she was given a single folder. She looked happy about it and left without saying a word to either of us. Rude!

As uncle Duncan and I walked out of the building, I suddenly remembered something and took off running. I ran fast and in a single direction. I distantly heard my uncle calling after me but I had no intention of stopping and thus didn't even look back. Where was I going? The strangler tree.

I just remembered the bag. the bag David got from dad's room. the one he threw at me while pleading for me to run. The last symbol of my family's love and care. I had completely forgotten about it. I left it once I saw the smoke. I dashed to the tree hoping that it was still there.

It was, thankfully. Still intact and all. I fell before it hugging it while panting. There was a rustle in a nearby bush behind me and out popped a half-dead-looking uncle. He was panting and sweating and I found it both surprising and touching that he had followed me. I turned my head and concerned eyes met curious ones.

"D, the-there you are-ha ha"

" Are you okay?" I asked, bag in hand as I walked towards him.

He slumped down on, leaning on a random tree, trying to catch his breath. A small part of me felt guilty for running off without warning.

' Why did you ha run like tha-ha-at"

" I got something" I answered with a small smile holding up the bag so he could see

He just sighed and continued panting

It was a slow walk home. consisting of us constantly stopping for uncle Duncan to catch his breath. He was a sweaty and breathless mess throughout. It was kind of annoying. The only reason that I didn't ditch him was that it was kinda my fault that he was like that.

Once we finally got home he practically collapsed on the couch and was asleep in minutes. Seriously, is this guy really the police commander? He wasn't even that old just 39.

I made dinner and woke him up when it was ready. We ate in our usual comfortable silence. I sighed. I guess this was my life now. It wasn't that bad.

Before I went to bed that night, I checked the contents of the bag. Some of my favorite clothes, some money, my tiny trinkets I picked up over the years, and a framed picture of my family. It was like they already knew what was going to happen and were prepared.

Uncle Duncan never asked what was in the bag. I assume he wanted to give me some privacy, which I appreciate. I'm not a touch person, but for the first time in days, I slept peacefully. I'm not sure if it was because of the funeral, the exhaustion from running, or because I slept hugging the picture of my family