The organ music was unsettling. The usually soothing music had
an edge to it. Up front, on a small table stood a lone lens
case. Surrounding it were pictures and flowers. Friends and
family had gathered at the funeral of Howard. Poly was taking
it especially hard. She and Howard had wonderful times
together, but she knew that he had died saving the life of
another. How could she be so selfish to want him back?
Howard was a small guy. Only 24mm. Yellow faced and
silvernosed, he fit in with the rest of the gang, but knew that
he wasn't the best short guy around. The younger guys were much
better than him. But they wouldn't dare go where he had
adventured.
Howard travelled all over. Many trips to Europe, the Smokies...
His passport was well worn. He spent time on the beach as well
as in the air. That skydiving accident at the Dublin Airport
was the beginning of the end for him, though.
The other lenses, except for the new arrival, were gathered in
the first row of seating. Next came the bodies, filters and
flashes. Most of the seats were taken up with other friends
that worked with Howard throughout the years. Finally, in the
back sat a lady veiled in black. She was taken away right after
Howard died. The next couple of days she spent in the company
and protection of one of the bodies.
The funeral director got up and started to speak. Part way
through the eulogy he suddenly stopped. The color drained from
his face as he saw what he was sure was a ghost. A stranger
stood in the shadows. As quickly as it appeared it was gone.
That hollow look. It was a face that this man would never
forget. Never did he expect to see that face again. Anger!
Terror! Fear! That face contained it all. A face that the
funeral director knew all too well. A face he had hoped he
would never see again.
Everone started to mumble and murmer to each other about what
happened to the minister. Why did he just turn completely
white? A few turned around and saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Just the new arrival sitting silently on the back seat.
The bellows started to play a song and the funeral was over.
Nobody stepped forward to claim the lens case containing
Howard's remains. In a few minutes the room was empty.
Completely empty.
Or was it?
The shadows started moving, moving towards the front of the
room, past the rows of seats, past the flowers. Slowly at
first, then the shadow rushed forward in a sudden onslaught.
The shadow and Howard were gone.
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