Monster That Lives In Her Dreams

Camden, Emil and Olivia stood by the graveside, head-to-toe in black and eyes filled with tears. It was June, and sun was shining brightly, but it might as well have been pouring with rain. Director Duncan and Dr Sanderson stood a little way away from them, also as distraught and clad in black.

“I can’t believe she got hooked on Temazepam. And so quickly,” Emil whispered

“I thought she was stronger than that,” Camden choked

“I never thought she’d purposefully overdose. She didn’t strike me as the type,” Olivia frowned

The three of them fell silent as more tearful people joined their sides.

“I can’t believe she’s gone. It’s like, I kinda expect her to pop out and say ‘just kidding!’” Emil smiled weakly

“Yeah, I can imagine her doing something like that,” Camden chuckled through his tears

“I wish I got to know her,” Olivia said wistfully

“She was amazing. One of a kind,” Camden said softly

Then two more people joined the small group, slightly out of breath.

“Sorry we’re late. Couldn’t get my car to start,” Saffy apologised

“No problem baby,” Camden smiled weakly, pressing a short kiss to her lips

“I wonder every day how I manage to share an apartment with her. How do you deal with a girlfriend like that?” Matty teased, rolling his eyes playfully

“I try not to think about it,” Camden chuckled

“Matty Procter,” Matty introduced

“Emil Smith,”

“Olivia Mariati,”

Matty smiled through his already-building tears, earning smiles back. Emil turned to Olivia and pecked her lips, squeezing their joint hands.

“I’m thankful for every day that I’m with you,” Emil whispered

“Ditto, metal face,” Olivia whispered back

“Ladies and gentlemen, if you’re ready, I will make a start,” the minister called

The Outwell kids shuffled closer to the graveside, looking down sadly at the closed coffin.

“Death is a part of life. And Miss Nova Marie Cayne was one such young person filled which an amazing amount of life. Having had problems with drugs for several years, Nova was admitted in Outwell Teenage Rehabilitation Centre exactly a year ago, and she successfully completed a recovery programme. But after only a few short weeks upon leaving, Nova broke down from the lack of medical structure and became hooked on Temazepam, a substance which caused her short life to end on overdose, leaving behind her adopted family and a lot of very close friends. I would like to invite her adopted mother, Carol, to speak a few words now...”

Saffy’s mind blanked out everything else that was said, her only support being Matty holding one hand and Camden holding the other. Tears poured freely down her cheeks at the thought of the blonde girl that had once been so full of life, actually be lying lifeless in the wooden box in front of them all.

“I love you, Saffy. I am so in love with you,” Camden whispered softly

Saffy looked up at her boyfriend, smiling through her tears.

“I love you too,” Saffy replied

The two of them looked back to the grave. Saffy closed her eyes, tears still trickling out, as she cleared her mind. Today should be a celebration of Nova’s life, not a grievance of her death. Saffy just knew, even though she was no longer a resident of Outwell, she would never forget the people she had met there, knowing her future with Camden was something she could hold on to.