Broken

Chapter 20

I woke up to birds chirping and people talking. I jumped out of bed, sweaty and bloody. I glanced in a mirror next to the bed and looked in horror at my reflection. Disgusting. I needed to go take a shower or something. I walked outside the room and entered the kitchen. Most of the group was up and eating whatever they found in the kitchen. As soon as they saw me, they went silent and stared at me. I said,

"I'm going to go get Cassie up and-"

I stopped in midsentence and everything that had happened yesterday. My mouth remained open as I stumbled and hit the counter. Charles, who was sitting on the counter, caught me. Mary Grace and Carrie rushed over to me and helped Charles set me in a seat. I felt a panic attack coming and I gasped for air. The four adults stared at me with confusion. I gripped the table and rocked back and forth. Hank stood quickly.

"We need that quiet kid. He calmed her on one of the runs."

Charles hurried down the hall and searched for Seth. Charles came back seconds later.

"I don't know where he is!"

I shakily grabbed Mary Grace's hand and placed it on my head and whispered,

"Just hold me."

Mary Grace wrapped me up in her arms and cradled me. I felt myself calming down. After a few minutes, I pulled myself away from Mary Grace and stood. I looked between the four of them for a second, then I pushed past Charles and ran outside. I broke down crying once more and ran into the woods behind the house. I then climbed a tree and sat there for hours, sobbing.

Someone came into the woods and said, "Beth?"

I sniffled and peeked out to see who it was. Charles was standing there, smiling sadly.

"Hey, uh, Beth, we are going to bury Cassie. Do you want to come?"

I nodded and climbed down from the tree. Charles gave me a hug and we went into the house.

The burial was absolute worst funeral I have ever been to. I had never cried more in my life. For the entire time silence reigned. Everyone cried but no one actually spoke. I felt depression weigh me down and suffocate me as Charles and Hank shoveled dirt onto Cassie's little, sheet covered body.

I couldn't take it anymore. What was the point? We were all going to die anyway. I rushed off, the others watching me.

I ran into the woods and didn't stop till I tripped over a rock and fell face first on the ground. I cried and cried. I can't describe my pain and suffering. I can't. It was all too real and horrible for me.

Cassie is dead.

Cassie is dead.

Cassie is DEAD!

I pulled out my gun and held it to my head. My shoulders shook as I whimpered. I was done with this life.

"Cassie... I'll see you soon."

I cocked the gun and took a deep breath.

Someone smacked the gun out of my hands. I looked up, frightened.

Seth stood over me, his eyes filled with fire, yet gentle. He knelt beside me and firmly grabbed the sides of my face, forcing me to look at him.

"Beth, you do not want to do this."

My tears wet his hands. "W-what's the point in living anymore? She's d-dead."

I gripped his wrists, trying to get him to let go of me. Let me die!