I glanced at the popping veins on Alice's neck and whispered, "I know you're not dead. I know you set your eyes on Sanford and conspired with him to deceive me into marrying that village idiot. That's your fate. If you had spoken up, I could have helped you, but you chose to make me suffer. So, don't blame me for being heartless now, Alice. I've never failed you."
I patted her shoulder and waved the handkerchief from earlier.
"Rest assured, I'll find you a good burial place," I said.
As she drifted into unconsciousness, Alice made a faint struggle.
She didn't want to die, but she couldn't shake off this drowsiness.
My phone kept vibrating. Those calls were from Sanford and Alice's mother.
I was a good person focused on fulfilling my best friend's wish. I didn't have time to answer the phone.
The cemetery was up in the mountains, and a fierce wind was blowing.
I felt like even the heavens were on my side.
I found the person in charge.
"It's almost noon, and the weather's turning. Please bury my bestie quickly," I said.
The guy in charge was slick, and I knew the rules.
I tipped him, and he quickly showed me the spot that had already been dug.
Even the coffin had been prepared.
I slipped some cigarettes to the guys helping carry Alice.
"My bestie was always by my side. She bled out in that accident, and I just want her to rest in peace, away from any more bumps," I sobbed.
The wind died down, but a big rain was on its way.
Without further ado, they lifted Alice straight from the stretcher and into the coffin.
It was cold in the mountains. Everyone wore gloves, unaware that the stretcher carried a living person.
And so, she was placed into the lacquered coffin.
I stood nearby, watching as they slowly lowered the coffin into the earth.
"Rest in peace, Alice. I got you the best coffin. Don't worry. I'll help take care of your mother," I murmured.
Everyone present was moved by my actions.
They carefully pushed the coffin lid down, almost sealing it shut.
The rain fell harder. Sanford arrived with Alice's mom in tow.
They were a mess, covered in mud.
"Stop! You can't bury her."
Sanford rushed over to stop the coffin from being sealed.
"You can't bury her. My daughter must be buried as I take her away. Who agreed to bury her?"
I knelt in the mud, pleading, "Mrs. Archer, Alice was bound by you her whole life, forced to marry some village fool. She didn't want to go back. Let her rest here."