The Fallen One

Chapter Twenty-Three

A/N

Hi all,

This chapter corresponds with Chapter sixteen of The Broken One. This is the true version of what happened at Gina's funeral, the version in the Broken One is the version Ned altered.

There is also a TRIGGER WARNING for this chapter as sexual abuse is briefly mentioned towards the end of this chapter.

For sexual assault/harassment help, please contact a hotline listed below (apologies if your country is not listed).

USA hotline:

1-800-656-HOPE

RAINN - +18006565673

Australia:

1800-RESPECT

AWDR - 1800 333 666

Reachout.com - https://au.reachout.com/articles/sexual-assault-support

UK website:

http://uksaysnomore.org/get-help/

Please visit: https://www.rainn.org/

Canada:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/lets-stop-sexual-harassment-and-violence

http://www.awhl.org/

Toll Free: 1-866-863-0511
Toll Free TTY: 1-866-863-7868

http://www.talk4healing.com/

Telephone: 1-855-554-4325

Mental Health Crisis Line: A 24/7 helpline to assist people experiencing a mental health problem or crisis.

http://www.crisisline.ca/home.htm

Telephone: 613-722-6914

Thank you

---------------------------

Gina's funeral was one of the hardest days of my life. I'm sure everyone felt the same. It's days like these when I'm glad that Elise isn't around - Gina's death would have destroyed her.

The funeral included a traditional Catholic service at the local church that Gina used to attend. Then afterwards, we all drove to the cemetery for the burial. Once the funeral concluded, Ned, Jenny, Calum, Shelby, Luke and his wife Georgia, Sherry and I, all walked to Elises grave to lay down some flowers.

"It reminds me of Elise's funeral you know" Jenny starts as we walked behind the crowd.

My mind goes back to Elise's funeral. Being there made me feel like an outsider almost. Compared to everyone else, I didn't know her that well at all.

"Most of the people there were strangers but I remember that everybody stood up to shake my hand...I could finally put faces to names you know" I remember.

"That makes two of us" Ned scoffs.

Ned has never been close to his family, which meant that he knew just as many people as I did at her funeral.

"I miss her" Jenny sighs.

"Sure you do" Ned mutters under my breath, making me snap my head in his direction.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jenny folds her arms.

"What's wrong with you, man?" I shake my head in disbelief.