Dream Sequence Part 5: The End

After a half hour of walking, I arrived at my location: Rosendale Cemetary. This place had become the only source of consistency in my life. No matter what was going on around me, I could always come here to visit her grave. While I’d always leave in a somber mood, it also gave me some semblance of clarity.

Her grave had a simple tombstone, the kind you’d see in movies and tv shows. Simply engraved “Here Lies Rachel Harper 2000-2018”. In contrast to the tombstone itself, the grave was decorated with several anime figures, all in their boxes. They were her favorite characters from several series, some signed, others not. I laid the newest member of the collection down next to the Naomi figure.

“Ya know, Rachel...I had decided to give school another shot. I decided that I’d try and live my life to the fullest. I wanted to make you proud, to live a life you no longer could...but...I failed. I couldn’t manage to even last a day there. Hell, I didn’t even make it to the first bell,” I said to no one in particular. I knew that she wasn’t really there listening to me in the back of my mind, but, it helped me cope.

“You must think I’m pretty pathetic, huh?” I chuckled to myself. “I wouldn’t blame you. After all, I am pretty pathetic.” Droplets of rain began to fall from the dark clouds above.

“I really wanna just give up, Rachel. You were the only thing I had, if only for a little while. But that isn’t what you’d want, is it Rachel? You always were an optimist. If you were here, you’d probably tell me to ‘cheer up’ or ‘do my best’. To be honest, I could use some of your encouragement right about now,” I said, the rain masking my own tears.

“You!” shouted a voice from behind me. I turned, startled. It was a woman I had hoped not to run into again.

“Oh, Miss Harper,” I said, bracing myself.

“You dare show your face here!? After what you did!” she shouted from under her umbrella. “It’s all your fault!”

“Wha-” I asked, confused.

“You’re the reason my Rachel is dead!!!” she screamed.

“What!? What do you mean?” I demanded.

“If it weren’t for you, she would’ve been at home when that drunk was out! My baby would still be alive!” she began furiously sobbing. “She was out at a doctor’s appointment. If only she had never met you!”

“What? How is that possibly my fault!?” I yelled back at the delusional mother.

“If she wasn’t with you, she wouldn’t have been pregnant! She would’ve been at home, safe and sound. You’re the reason she died!” She shouted, falling to her knees, distraught.

“But,” I began, trying to defend myself.

“Get the hell away from here! And take those toys with you!!! If I ever catch you here again, you’re going to be arrested for defiling my daughter’s grave!” she yelled, throwing a nearby figure at me.

Wordlessly, I gathered the things I had decorated Rachel’s grave with. With no backpack, I simply filled my arms and pockets, barely managing to carry everything.

“She was all I had...” she sobbed, clutching the old wedding ring she wore around her neck.

I left the cemetery.

On my walk back home, about a block away from my house, my rain soaked palms failed me. I dropped the Kasubito figure out into the road. I bent over to try to pick it up with a free finger or two, but only ended up dropping more of the figures.

*HOOOONNNNKKKK*

For some reason, as I heard the horn, and saw the headlights, I didn’t move. I didn’t freeze in fear or panic.

I finally felt at peace.