The Mortician's Daughter

She didn't even have time to think, let alone breathe, before Andy was pulling her close to him. He wanted to feel the new warmth of her body against him instead of the cold that once inhabited it.

"You're here." He said and held her closer. "You came back to me."

"Carolyn," He father swooped down and hugged his daughter as well. "My daughter, my sweet, sweet daughter." He kissed the top of her head.

"I'm surprised you both missed me so much. I was only gone for a few minutes." She looked at them both.

"A few minutes too many." Andy commented.

Her father agreed but then became extremely serious. "Honey, do you know who did this to you?" He asked.

"I don't know his name..." Carolyn looked down. "But he said something about you, Dad."

Her father's face drained of color. He knew exactly who this was. "I'll... I'll be right back, guys. Just stay here, whatever you do."

He father stood up from the couch and went outside to the cemetery where he had found Carolyn's body with Andy.

"Riley? I know you're still out there somewhere. Just... Come out and talk to me like normal adults." He demanded.

There was a rustling in the bushes as the killer from before, Riley, emerged into the bright light of the moon.

James, Carolyn's father, shook his head at Riley standing there before him. "First my wife, Riley, and now my daughter and her little boyfriend?"

"I killed Emily to make you suffer for everything you did to me. When I saw your daughter and how much she resembled her, I couldn't help it. I just got so angry and I had to get rid of her. It killed me to see how much she looked like Emily and I didn't want any trace of Emily anywhere." Riley explained. By this time, he started choking on tears. "I loved her, James."

James just watched Riley weep on his knees in front of him and beg for forgiveness. It hadn't been as satisfying as he thought it would have been.

"Stand up, Riley. I can't bear to see you like this anymore." James said.

"Call the police." Riley replied. "I'm done. I surrender. I see how much pain and damage I have done to you. I'm turning myself in. Just... let it all end."

James dialed the number and placed the phone to his ear. "Yes, I have caught the man of the deadly murder that occurred about fifteen years ago. He's in my backyard."

--

There were flashing police lights and sirens everywhere. A couple of police men burst through the front door and stormed out to the cemetery where the killer was waiting to be taken away for good.

Andy and Carolyn remained on the couch the whole time. Andy just wanted to be with Carolyn for as long as possible before he had to leave again.

"As soon as the police leave, I'm going to have to go as well. The guys are going to be wondering where I am..." Andy said solemnly. He hated to have to leave her again but it was just the way things were going to be.

"What's going to happen to us?" Carolyn asked. It was a good question. Andy wasn't going to stop touring for a while, and Carolyn didn't want to be a bother to Andy while he was on tour, either.

"I'll be just a phone call away if you ever need me. And I promise I will come back to you soon. I'll visit every time we're in town for a show and I'll make sure I come visit when we're not touring." Andy said. The last thing he wanted was for her to be sad again.

She nodded and agreed. They couldn't be physically with each other but they both knew there was a special place in each of their hearts for each other.