unfortunate ➸ primeval

PART II

Seven years ago

"In the name of God, the merciful Father, we entrust Helen Cutter into your hands," the priest recited, his eyes scanning the small group of mourners gathered around the grave. He gestured to the three closest to step forward.

Firstly, Nick Cutter took a step towards his wife's grave, dropping a handful of earth onto the empty coffin. Secondly, Helen's mother stepped forward and placed another handful of dirt into the rectangular hole. Thirdly, Clara Fields took a quivering step forwards, opened her palm and let the damp earth tumble into her Godmother's grave.

"Let us say the Lord's Prayer together," the priest commended, and everyone mumbled the sacred words along with the priest.

Once the funeral was over, Clara stood by the tombstone that marked the freshly made grave of Helen Cutter. It was a brilliant white marble, with black words inscribed on it to contrast:

Helen Cutter
Beloved wife
Her absence is a silent grief,
Her life a beautiful memory.

Tears gently fell down her cheeks, and she jumped when a hand rested on her shoulder. Nick Cutter stood next to her, his eyes miraculously dry even on this melancholy day.

"Clara," he whispered to her. She peered up, meeting his blue eyes. "Come over here for a minute." He led her over to a quieter area of the graveyard, and Clara glanced over her shoulder to see her father talking to another professor from the university; her fifteen year old brother Michael standing nearby, speaking with a young man a bit older than Clara, who had soft brown hair and startling blue eyes.

"What is it?" Clara sniffed, wiping away her tears.

"Do you really believe Helen is dead?" He asked seriously, not bothering to beat around the bush.

Clara frowned. "Why are you having a funeral for her if you have a feeling she's still alive?"

"My parents, and hers, thought it would be good for me," he dismissed. "Closure, and all that nonsense. And most of me thinks they're right. But there's a part of me that truly believes she's still alive - out there somewhere. And right now, that's the part of me that's winning my mental debate."

"She's your wife, Nick," Clara pointed out, her frown deepening. "Why would she let you believe she was dead all this time? I mean, it's been a year since she went missing."

Nick sighed patiently. "Clara, you know Helen as well as I do. You're the only other person she showed her true colours to - even your father didn't get that from her. So, look deep inside yourself. Is there a part of you, even if it's tiny, that thinks I have the slightest chance of being right?"

Clara let out a long sigh, thinking his words over. His eyes searched her face, desperate for her answer. She nodded. "There may be a slight chance she's alive," she admitted. "But it's a very, very slim one. Even you have to admit that."

"I do," Nick nodded eagerly. They both turned around when they heard Tim Fields shouting for his daughter. "Now, listen to me, Clara. Do not tell anyone about what I told you. They'll all think I'm crazy."

"Well, I think you're acting a little crazy right now," Clara responded.

Nick shook his head. "I know, but that's not the point. Maybe if we read her works over, we can find out where she went. See if that creature sighting she explored really was there. Find out what really happened to my wife."

"Clara!" Tim's voice echoed.

"Coming, Dad!" Clara called, her eyes not leaving Nick's wide blue ones. "Fine," she hissed to him. "But, just sometimes, I'd listen to the rational part of your brain." She walked towards her father and brother, leaving Nick Cutter alone.

Sighing, Nick leaned against the tree, gazing at the Forest of Dean in the distance. He leaned forwards, however, when he saw a slight shadow move across from opposite him. But it was gone the next moment. He shook his head, putting it down to a trick of the light.

Yet as he walked away from where they had buried the empty casket for his wife, he had been sure that the shadow had been watching him. He had also been sure that it was female. And he was almost certain that it had been his supposedly dead wife that was staring at him.

A/N: it's officially 2019, happy new year! so, PART II. this is a pretty crazy part, and it was also my favourite to write. lots of things happen & there are even some new characters to be introduced!! major feels, both happy, sad and everything in between. hope you enjoy it!!