Volume 3 Epilogue: Funeral Service

One week later...

*Sniffle* *Sniffle*

Erika, dressed in black, stood over a tiny casket, sobbing.

"It's alright, Erika. You didn't do anything wrong." Brandy said, trying to comfort her.

Erika sniffled more.

"How was I supposed to know that you're not supposed to wash trees in a bathtub? I just assumed you had to wash them like any other pet."

"It's just a tree, can't you just get anoth-."

Cal tried speaking but Erika snapped at him.

"Shut up, Cal, unless you want me to break your other leg! Timberthy was special, nothing could ever replace him!"

Cal got quiet and just slowly wheeled himself behind me.

"Was it really necessary to invite the entire town?" I asked.

"Of course! Timberthy may have only been here a week, but he was just as much of a member of the community as anyone else." Erika responded.

Nearly everyone in Stercusville had gathered at this silly funeral. It wasn't very likely that they were here because they cared about the service though. They were most likely here because Erika promised that there would be free food. She ended up spending a decent portion of our funds hiring a catering service... and of course she had to pick the most expensive one she could find.

"I think you're going a bit overboard, it's just a plant after all." I said.

Brandy instantly pounced on me.

"Would it kill you to have a bit of compassion? This tree obviously meant something to Erika."

"Don't waste your time with him, Brandy. Mr. Arno's just being a big meanie like he usually is."

I huffed.

"I'm... sorry for not being more considerate, girl."

Normally I wouldn't have wasted my breath apologizing for something stupid like this. Unfortunately though, the two of them were speaking loudly, bringing unwanted attention to me. There was muttering amongst the townsfolk attending the service, as they stared and pointed in my direction.

For the remainder of the funeral, Cal and I shut my mouths, not wanting to have to deal with my idiot apprentice and that nosey receptionist's nonsense...

Timberthy's casket (which had cost a lot more money than I would have liked) was lowered into a hole in the ground that was marked with a small gravestone. Erika got on her knees, as she began sobbing once more.

"Goodbye Timberthy. I'll never forget you."

With that, the nonsensical service was finally over. The crowd dispersed and I was finally allowed to go home. Funerals were something I couldn't understand. Did dying really warrant a whole ceremony? I was dead, it's not like it was that big of a deal.

✨End of Volume 3✨

(Volume 4 Coming Soon)

Note from Author: 

Thanks for reading everyone, I truly am grateful to all of you. 👍 It may be a while until I get to Volume 4. I have a long list of of stories I want to write. Right now I'm focusing on outlining a few original stories and the Sequel to Pandora's Box. I want to really get all my concepts fleshed out before I decide what to write next. My goal for the next year is to take some new approaches and hopefully further improve as a writer.

Your friendly neighborhood skeleton,

SkeletonIdiot 💀