Farewell

Zoe walked into the living room where Leo was sleeping on the couch, and Roger was coming out of the kitchen, heading toward the door. He didn't notice Zoe's presence. She watched him for a moment, noticing the somber expression on his face. Then, with a curious and concerned tone, she asked:

"Where are you going, Uncle Roger?"

Roger turned quickly, surprised to see her. "Oh, Zoe, I didn't notice you there. I'm going to meet with Dr. Elias to arrange a funeral for Victor and Samantha. They deserve one." Sadness still lingered on Roger's face, but he remained composed as always, trying not to show the full extent of his pain.

Zoe looked at him and stepped closer, concerned. Roger softened his expression and asked, "Are you feeling better?"

Zoe hesitated, her voice still trembling. "I don't know, I think so."

She glanced at Leo, who was sleeping peacefully, his eyes still swollen from crying, and asked, "Why is he sleeping here?"

Roger explained with a hint of sadness, "He stayed up almost all night taking care of you and ended up falling asleep there."

A heavy silence filled the room for a few seconds until Roger broke it, saying with determination, "I'm heading out now. I won't be long. Stay here and take care of your brother for me, okay?"

Zoe nodded, trying to appear strong. "Okay."

Roger turned toward the door and began walking toward it. He opened it, and before stepping out, Zoe, still carrying a weight of concern, asked one last question:

"Uncle Roger."

Roger stopped halfway through the door and looked back. "Yes? What is it?"

"Are you okay?"

Roger smiled at his niece's concern, a small, sad but sincere smile, and replied with his usual firmness, "Yes, I'm fine. Don't worry."

He stepped out, closing the door gently behind him, leaving the two alone. His footsteps echoed softly in the distance as he walked away. Zoe looked around, feeling Roger's absence like a weight in the air, and sat down on the couch next to Leo, enveloped in a sense of loss and responsibility.

Roger walked through the streets, his footsteps echoing on the cobblestones, until he reached the same building where the familiar guard stood watch in front of the double doors. Roger approached the guard and said:

"I've come to speak with Dr. Elias."

The guard looked at him, recognizing his face. "Ah, you're the one who came yesterday with two children, right?"

"Yes."

"Follow me," replied the guard.

Roger followed the guard, passing through the same corridors and areas until they reached the familiar door.

"I can take it from here, thank you," said Roger.

The guard nodded and walked away. The door opened, revealing the same man from the day before.

"Roger, right?" asked Dr. Elias.

"Yes."

"Please, come in," said Dr. Elias, closing the door behind Roger.

"I ask that you allow me to take the bodies for a burial, Dr. Elias," Roger said with a tone of respect and urgency.

Dr. Elias sat on a nearby bench and asked, "Those two bodies were the parents of those children, as far as I could tell, correct?"

"Yes," replied Roger.

"And how are they holding up now?" asked Dr. Elias with a look of concern.

"They're coping better than I expected, but either way, this has shaken them deeply," admitted Roger, the pain evident on his face.

"My condolences for this tragic situation," said Dr. Elias sincerely. He continued to discuss the funeral arrangements and the children's situation with Roger, seeking ways to offer support and comfort.

•

[At the Petrova house]

Zoe remained seated, staring at fixed points around the house, trying to process everything that had happened. She felt as though she were in a state of numbness, disconnected from the reality around her. Memories of her parents and the happy moments they shared flashed in her mind, like glimpses of a life that now felt distant and unreachable.

She knew she had to move forward, but the pain of loss made every thought and action a monumental challenge. Zoe began to question the purpose of her existence, feeling lost in a sea of confused emotions. Everything seemed meaningless, as if the world had lost its color and become a cold, empty place.

With a deep sigh, Zoe stood up from the couch and began walking through the house. Every object, every piece of furniture, was imbued with memories of her parents. She passed the couch where she used to snuggle with her mother on cold nights, sharing stories and laughter. The kitchen was filled with memories of lively mornings, helping her father prepare breakfast while Leo tried to sneak bites of food without anyone noticing.

Zoe stopped in front of the bookshelf and picked up a family portrait. She looked at the smiling faces of her parents, Leo, and herself. Tears began to roll down her face, but along with them came a wave of anger and hatred. The image of the still-unknown killer who had taken her parents from her flooded her mind, and hatred boiled in her heart, consuming every thought.

How could someone be so cruel? How could they take away their joy of living? Anger overwhelmed her, making her hands tremble as she held the portrait. The desire for justice burned within her, but she also knew she had to stay calm and be strong, especially for Leo.

Before she could be consumed by these feelings, a soft sound brought her back to reality. Leo was waking up on the couch, his eyes still swollen and sleepy. Zoe took a deep breath, trying to calm the fury bubbling inside her. She knew she had to be strong for her brother, who was also suffering and needed her support.

She walked over to Leo and sat beside him, placing the portrait back on the shelf. Leo looked at her with an expression of exhaustion but also hope. They were in this journey of pain and healing together, and despite everything, they would find strength in each other to move forward.

Zoe: "How are you feeling?"

Leo: "Tired. I don't want to do anything but sleep."

"Uncle said you stayed up taking care of me last night. That must be why you're so tired."

"Where is he now?"

"He said he went to talk to that doctor to arrange a funeral for Mom and Dad."

"Is Uncle Roger okay? Last night he was just sitting in the kitchen."

"I asked him if he was okay, and he said 'yes.' Do you need anything?"

"No, I'm fine."

They sat in silence, sharing each other's presence. Zoe looked at the bookshelves filled with books and noticed that the black-covered book her father never let them touch was missing. She remembered the book they had found in Roger's basement and checked her waistband, covering the area. "The book isn't here?" she thought, a growing sense of unease creeping over her.

[In Dr. Elias's office]

Dr. Elias: "So it's all settled, right? We'll prepare a guard with a cart, and the bodies will be placed in coffins to be taken to the location you specify. Thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Roger."

Roger: "No need to thank me."

They shook hands, and Roger prepared to leave the room. "Wait a moment, sir. There's something I want to give you. When you left yesterday, I found this on the floor." Dr. Elias showed a black book with gold detailing. "Since you were the only ones who came in here, I assume it belongs to one of you. Here," he said, handing the book to Roger, who was surprised.

"How did this book end up here?" Roger thought, taking the book and saying, "Thank you. This book belonged to my brother. I have no idea how it got here."

The doctor replied, "It must have been one of the children, then. Well, that's all. Thank you, and I won't take up any more of your time."

Roger stored the book, saying, "Thank you." He left the room, still puzzled by the mysterious appearance of the book.

Meanwhile, Zoe was searching various parts of the house, moving cushions, opening drawers, and rummaging through shelves, trying to find the missing book. Leo, annoyed by her restlessness, asked impatiently:

"Why don't you sit still for a bit, huh? What are you looking for? Did you lose something important?"

Zoe, slightly out of breath from her search, replied, "I lost the book we found in the basement."

Leo raised an eyebrow, curious, "Why did you take that book?"

"I just wanted to see if it was the same book Dad had or not."

Leo looked at the bookshelf and noticed that the black-covered book wasn't there, where it always used to be. "True, I hadn't noticed that. But anyway, forget it. It didn't seem important. It was just a blank book."

Zoe bit her lower lip, deep in thought, but continued searching. Unease was etched on her face as she turned over every corner of the house.

After a few minutes, Zoe gave up, letting out a frustrated sigh. At that moment, the front door creaked open, and Roger appeared, his expression tired but determined. "I'm back." Leo remained lying on the couch, peeking out from under his arm, and Zoe sat beside him, upright and anxious.

Zoe: "Did you manage it?"

Roger: "Yes, we'll go back to my house and bury them in a field nearby."

Leo: "Are we walking?"

Roger: "No, I got a cart. We'll take that; it'll be much faster."

Zoe, intrigued, asked, "Where did you get a cart?"

Roger, with a half-smile, replied, "To be honest, I bought it from the guards. I've been needing one for a while anyway. Are you two okay?"

Both answered in unison: "Yes."

Roger nodded, satisfied with their response. "Alright, let's get going then."

He moved decisively, opening the door and holding it for Zoe and Leo. The trio stepped out of the house, and Zoe felt the cold wind hit her face, a refreshing breeze after the heavy atmosphere inside. They walked to the cart, which was waiting outside, the horse ready to go.

The cart moved slowly, leaving the small community of Arbordale behind. Roger, holding the reins firmly, guided the horse forward along the dirt road. Zoe and Leo settled into the cart, feeling every bump as they distanced themselves from the silent houses and entered a more natural setting.

As they moved forward, the houses gave way to open fields, and the sky stretched out in a clear blue, dotted with large white clouds. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees and brushed against the children's faces, offering a moment of peace amidst the recent turmoil. The sounds of nature began to emerge: the distant chirping of birds, the murmur of the wind through the leaves, and the occasional rustling of small animals hidden in the tall grass.

The dirt road narrowed as the forest approached. The towering trees, with their sturdy trunks and dense canopies, formed a natural corridor that shaded the path, providing relief from the strong sun. The cart continued its journey, and the rhythmic sound of the horse's hooves on the soft ground accompanied the melody of the forest.

The environment, despite being surrounded by mystery and uncertainty, offered a sense of calm. Every snap of a twig, every sigh of the wind brought with it an echo of tranquility that contrasted with the inner turmoil of Zoe and Leo. They could smell the fresh scent of damp earth and green leaves, an aroma that reminded them of simpler, carefree days.

As the cart ventured deeper into the forest, the sunlight filtered through the treetops, creating patterns of light on the ground. The sky, now visible through the gaps in the leaves, showed birds flying in formation, their wings cutting through the air with grace. The enveloping silence was broken only by the soft sounds of nature, creating an atmosphere of contemplation and reflection.

Eventually, the trees began to thin, and the path led the cart to a clearing where Roger's house stood. It was a simple but cozy structure, surrounded by a small, well-kept garden. The horse slowed, and the cart came to a stop in front of the house. The sound of the horse's hooves ceased, and the tranquility of the forest took over once more.

Zoe and Leo stepped down from the cart, feeling the firm ground beneath their feet. The cool air and the whispering trees around them offered silent comfort. Roger's house now represented a refuge, a place where they could find some solace amidst their grief.

Roger walked to the back of the cart, where two simple wooden coffins rested. The sunlight glinted softly on the polished surfaces as the children watched with sad, heavy eyes.

Leo: "Where are we going to bury them, Uncle Roger?"

Roger: "There's a field of flowers nearby. We'll bury them there."

Roger walked toward the back of the house, where he picked up a shovel worn by time. Leo and Zoe followed closely, their determined expressions contrasting with the sadness in their hearts.

Leo: "Give me a shovel too, Uncle. I want to help bury them."

Zoe, with an equally resolute look, supported her brother: "I want to help too."

Roger understood the depth of the moment, realizing that this act would provide them with some relief. He handed each of them a shovel, hesitating briefly before asking, "Burying your own parents is a difficult thing to do. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Both answered firmly, their voices in unison: "We do."

With shovels in hand, they followed Roger to the field of flowers. The path was lined with tall trees that provided shade, and the scent of wildflowers filled the air, creating a contrast to the weight of the task ahead. The soft sound of the wind through the leaves and the distant chirping of birds seemed to calm them, offering a moment of peace amidst their sorrow.

When they reached the field, Roger chose a spot surrounded by colorful flowers, where the sun shone brightly. The children began to dig, the physical effort helping to channel their emotions. With each shovel of earth removed, they felt more connected to their parents, honoring their memories with every movement.

The silence of the field was broken only by the sound of shovels piercing the soil, and the natural surroundings enveloped them in an atmosphere of contemplation and respect. The murmur of the wind and the sounds of nature provided a serene backdrop, almost as if the earth itself were mourning with them.

After digging the graves and placing the coffins in the ground, Zoe, Leo, and Roger carefully filled the graves, packing the earth with their shovels. The field of flowers around them seemed even more vibrant, as if nature were offering a final farewell. The silence was broken only by the sound of shovels scraping the soil and the deep sighs that accompanied the hard work.

With the graves completed, Roger set the shovels aside and looked at the children with empathy and care. Zoe, her face and hands dirty from the soil, looked at her uncle and asked in a soft, sad voice:

Zoe: "Uncle Roger, do you think there's a place where the dead go?"

Roger took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to comfort his niece. He knelt beside her, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder and looking directly into her eyes.

Roger: "Well, Zoe, many people believe there's a special place where our loved ones go when they leave this world. Some call it heaven, others paradise. Everyone has their own beliefs and hopes. What matters is what's in each person's heart."

Leo, who was standing beside Zoe, listened attentively to his uncle's words and added:

Leo: "So, our parents are in a better place now?"

Roger nodded with a gentle smile, trying to convey the hope he himself carried. "Yes, Leo. I like to think they're in a place where there's no pain or suffering, where they can rest in peace and watch over us with love."

Zoe wiped her face with the back of her hand, feeling a small spark of comfort in Roger's words. "I hope so, Uncle. I want to believe they're okay."

Roger pulled them both into a warm hug, feeling the weight of responsibility to care for them amidst the pain. "We'll move forward together, always remembering them with love. They'll always be in our hearts."

The trio stood in silence for a few moments, absorbing the tranquility of the field of flowers and the soft sounds of nature around them. It was a moment of unity and hope, a step forward on a path filled with uncertainty but walked with courage and mutual support.