The sun shone high above the small town of Sitri. As bright as it was, however, it was overshadowed by the gloomy atmosphere. Hundreds of townsfolk had gathered in the local graveyard, all draped in black with heavy hearts. Their eyes rested upon a closed casket, holding silent prayers for the man that lay within it.
Suddenly, a young woman’s voice cut through the silence. “Evelynn! Come back here!”
A little girl around the age of nine pushed through the crowd, bumping into everyone in front of her as the young woman attempted to catch up to her. They had to be wrong, there’s no way. They’re lying... The girl, Evelynn, was just a few feet away from the casket before the woman grabbed her shoulder.
“Honey please,” she started solemnly, “please just stay here with Auntie Selene…”
With tears streaming down her face, Evelynn pulled away from her aunt’s touch and walked forward. Selene could only watch in anguish as her niece’s outstretched hands made contact with the casket. The girl’s chestnut hair fell over her face as she hung her head down, shaky breaths escaping her aching lungs. A strong but gentle hand on her shoulder forced her to lift her head.
“Are you the daughter?” The voice of what sounded like a senior aged man echoed in Evelynn’s ears.
Turning her gaze towards the voice, she slowly nodded. Even with the man’s question confirming her worst fears, little Evelynn refused to believe it. No… there’s no way.
The creaking of the casket opening sounded like nails on a chalkboard to the little girl. She grit her teeth and clenched her fists until the horrible sound ceased. She slowly stretched out her hands again, pausing as she felt the edge of the open structure against her fingertips. Her hands trembled as she inched them further in, feeling the soft material of the cotton bedding.
“Evie, you don’t have to…” She heard Auntie Selene’s voice behind her, her voice heavy with despair.
“I want him to hold my hand. He promised me he would...”
The little girl’s fingers brushed against the cold skin of her father’s hand. It felt so foreign. The warmth and security she was promised for the rest of her life was completely gone; replaced with a hollow shell. She fell against the casket, her other hand curling under her father’s cold hand as choked sobs escaped her throat. She couldn’t sense her surroundings properly as she suddenly felt her aunt’s arms laced around her torso.
“He-he promised he’d always b-be my guide.” Evelynn stuttered, her grip tightening around her father’s hand.
“I know, Evie…” Selene began to run her fingers through her niece’s hair. “I know I’ll never replace him, but I’ll do my best to fill in the role of your eyes.”
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