Eisley stepped out of the building and paused, her gaze landing on Irwin, who stood there in a black suit. She nervously licked her lower lip, took a deep breath, and walked towards him.
The car ride felt unbearably quiet as if the world had paused for the grief that hung heavy in the air.
Sunlight filtered through the windows, but the warmth it brought seemed to stop at the threshold, unable to penetrate the chill that enveloped her.
When Irwin's hands covered hers, she glanced down at them before looking up into his eyes. "Are you okay?" he asked.
Eisley nodded, offering a silent hum in response. An hour later, they arrived at the burial site. Her chest tightened with the weight of grief pressing down on her, making it hard to breathe as she stepped out of the car. It finally sank in: her mother, whom she loved most dearly, was really gone.
