To Emily, the world seemed almost flat and dead. She kept reading the words on the gravestone in front of her:

Mary's parents had left nearly an hour ago, yet Emily couldn't pull herself away from the bleak vision before her.

It was her second funeral in less than a year, and far more difficult to deal with than the first. Her grandfather had been ill; she'd at least had time to prepare for his passing. Mary, on the other hand… Mary had been young and vigorous, really just starting to live her life.

The painful truth of her friend's death hit her full force and Emily struggled to hold back her tears. She'd managed to keep it together all through the viewing and funeral service, and would fight tooth and nail to avoid falling apart out here in front of her best friend's grave. Later, when she was home, she could cry herself to sleep.

Emily: "Mary, I don't know if you can hear me wherever you are now, but… I just wanted to say how much it meant to me having you as a friend. You were always there for me whenever I needed you, even when I didn't know I needed you. From the day I met you I knew we were cut from the same soul, and I know that you'll keep watching out for me even now. You promised to haunt me, remember?"

Emily: "You were the sister I never had, and I'm going to miss you so much. I really wish I'd taken more time to tell you how much you meant to me. I know in my heart that you knew I loved you as much as you loved me, but I should have come out and said it when I had the chance."

Emily could feel the tears welling up in her eyes, threatening to spill over. Again she fought them back knowing that once they started, they would probably never stop. She took a deep and quivering breath before she was able to continue.

Emily: "I hope… I hope you find peace, Mary. At least one of us should be granted as much."
Azrael: "You've been here a long time. Are you ready to go?"

Emily: "Yeah, I think I'm just about ready. I've said what I needed to say I guess."
Azrael: "You can always come back whenever you need to."
Emily: "I… think I'll be ok."

Emily sighed heavily as Azrael wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace. She felt completely enveloped in peace and warmth, a feeling of safety working its way through her body. She buried her face into his shoulder and breathed deeply, the scent of juniper and myrrh filling her head and making her slightly dizzy.

As Azrael reached down and tilted her chin up; she felt her grief easing. He kissed her fully, his lips soft and tender against hers.

Azrael: "Let's go home, shall we?"
Emily: "I'm ready now."