Gone

The loss of someone can have a devastating effect on all those who knew them. After Artemis' "death", everyone struggles in their own ways as they try to cope with her being gone for good. Each chapter is in different POV and mostly inspired by a certain topic or song. Please leave a review!

Jade

If you have to leave
I wish that you would just leave
'Cause your presence still lingers here
And it won't leave me alone

These wounds won't seem to heal
This pain is just too real
There's just too much that time cannot erase…

The chilly early evening breeze nipped at her coat, threatening to prick at her skin. Jade ignored the pesky wind as she firmly folded her arms and leaned against the tree. She watched the group gathered at the cemetery from her safe distance, not eager to join them. She still did not feel comfortable being around the heroes or her mom.

Jade felt a tug at her hair. She looked down at her young daughter who gave her a wide smile as she giggled. Although smiles are often known to be contagious, it wasn't enough to lift Jade's spirits.

Soon the group began to dissipate. Wally was the first to go by the former assassin, struggling to keep a normal speed. Pain was evident on his face, but he didn't seem very sociable at the moment. Jade couldn't help the pang in her heart. She should have been there for her sister, to protect her like she had promised when they were young and their parents were hardly there for them. A few girls hung together and cried as they passed, not even taking any notice of Jade who turned toward the direction of her tree.

Roy approached his wife slowly with heavy steps. "Aren't you going to go over?" He asked softly. "Your mother would like for you to be with her."

With her right hand placed on her left elbow, Jade glanced over at her sister's grave where only her mother and a blonde couple remained. Ollie gently placed a bow with a green ribbon tied around the handle against the tombstone. Paula was slightly hunched over in her wheelchair with her hands covering her face. Dinah rubbed her back in comfort and said words too soft for Jade to hear. Jade looked down, eyed fixed on the ground. She hoped to drive away any possible emotion. She was trained for so long to be strong no matter what.

"No, she wouldn't want to see me." She muttered.

Roy sighed and took Lian from her mother's grip. The baby clung to her dad and yawned before snuggling close, eyes drooped. He squeezed her hand with his free one. "I'll wait for you until you're ready."

The archer walked off to give her some privacy. Jade looked up to see her mom coming in her direction. She straightened as the older woman wheeled right next to her. Paula paused and looked directly at her remaining daughter. With that one look of pained sadness, Jade felt the walls that she had built up inside herself slowly start to crumble away. With a gentle pat, Paula gave a sad smile and moved on, leaving Jade alone by her tree, the cool breeze picking up again.

After a moment of staring at her sister's grave, Jade pushed herself to walk over. As she passed a few rows of tombstones, she caught something from the corner of her eye. Standing off to the far right was a lone figure standing near a large tree. Jade narrowed her eyes at the stranger wearing a bluish-gray coat with the hood up. Jade widened her eyes as she thought she saw a few loose strands of blonde hair blowing in the breeze.

"It can't be,' Jade quietly said to herself.

She turned quickly to chase down the suspected person of interest while failing to notice the stone angel directly at her left, bumping her leg hard. Jade looked down and rubbed her likely to be bruised leg, mentally cursing herself for being so careless. She looked back up to continue her trek when the mysterious figure was gone. Jade looked around everywhere, but they had vanished.

She spotted Roy waiting for her as everyone else had left. Jade glanced around again, but found that she was still alone in the cemetery. After questioning her current state of sanity, she turned back to the fresh grave now farther behind her. Even from there, she could see ARTEMIS CROCK engraved at the top. The name hit her so hard that she wondered if it could really be true, that her little sister was gone.

In the softest voice that was carried with the breeze, Jade replied as a single tear rolled down her cheek,

"Goodbye sis."

Can you guess the song? ;) I love listening to music, so it is where most of my inspiration comes from. Now who do you think I should use next and/or is there a song you think will be fitting?

So terribly sorry for not updating anything these past few weeks. I've been busy and working. On my breaks, I would write like crazy since my inspiration has kicked up. Apparently keeping constantly busy helps… Anyway, I had this part written out for a while, but every time I'd sit down to type it up, I fall asleep. That's what long days do to you. And it is going to get hectic even more with school starting back up, so I will try to get something up whenever I can. :)