Every step I take is put into thought and performed with precision.

I watch the effects of my genius.

I watch the life drain from the petals.

Another flower falls, another petal breaks.

I can't control myself.

—𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘴

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The sky was clouded and the air that filled Ambrosia's lungs that morning was crisp and frigid. The atmosphere was still and promised only sadness that would be expected at a funeral.

Ambrosia shivered pulling the coat that her father had lent to her closer on her body. She half-heartedly listened as the pastor spoke of God and his kingdom, the coming of a savior that would take us away from the suffering of this world.

He ended his lecture with a word of prayer.

Next was Aunt Annie who spoke of grandmother's life mournfully.

Grandma Hill started off living on the streets while she attempted to pay for an education. Then she went to staying at her friends' house until she could snag a job. Grandma Hill had gotten pregnant with Ambrosia's father straight out of high school with her boyfriend and struggled to support.

Luckily, her friend was able to get her a job as a waitress at a local bar.

Grandmother Hill had always had an extensive knowledge a passion for music, she would always join in an open mic night at the bar, slowly catching the attention of many. She became a well-known singer through the singles she sang at her work.

After meeting with a scout one-night grandma Hill went on to create beautiful jazz music with the help of her boyfriend a saxophone player.

Who evidently ended up becoming her husband because of the money source.

Grandpa Hill had given her a daughter, Aunt Annie but then left her for better fame and recognition. However, the lonely man only gained a life of cruel injustice and prison.

Grandma Hill stayed content with her passion and soon she was able to build upon and reap the riches of her hard earned success.

Ambrosia thought over these new details on her grandmothers' life. These things that her father never told her. Which was surprisingly odd of him.

Ambrosia's father then went up to speak, and the amount of heart that could be felt from the sorrow in his voice brought her to tears.

"I loved her and looked up to her like anyone would to their own mother..." he paused then continued.

"Through her life, my mother has gained everything through her love of music; and as a child, I remember the nights we would be sleeping on the couch of her friend's house and my mother would sing me lullabies to put me to sleep. Everything that is here in this house is all the benefits of her hard work and love."

Ambrosia's father glanced at her and fixed he glasses and looked back at the slick black coffin.

"If you only take away one thing from the life of grandmother Hill, let it be that you must work for what you love, there are no shortcuts to a better life."

The crowd erupted in applause.

Ambrosia clapped and he eyes drifted along the crowd of people, she had spotted Aunt Tania sitting beside Mrs.Henway who was clapping slowly.

Tania had a blank expression, her hands never coming up to clap once.

Ambrosia's eyes drifted over looking for Elias, and she spotted him sitting on the end of the row, his hands were clasped together causing his knuckles to turn white. He caught her gaze and quickly looked away.

Ambrosia straightened herself and thought deeply.

Those three are acting rather strange.

Her father stayed up and placed his hand on the coffin that held his beloved mother, he took a yellow rose and placed it on the edge of the coffin.

Others began to rise and go up to bid farewell to grandmother Hill, along with placing flowers around her.

Ambrosia got up and bit the inside of her cheek. The tears streamed down her face and she did not bother to wipe them.

The only time she had cried this hard was when her mother had passed away.

Ambrosia placed a few purple lilies at the base and kneeled down.

"I hope you find eternal peace, grandmother" she whispered.

Ambrosia felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked up. To her surprise, she saw Ivy clutching a bouquet of white orchids. Her eyes were full of anger.

As if they both had some drawn connection, the two sisters immediately embraced eachother and Ambrosia could feel the tension between them slowly begin to break.

Ambrosia knew in her head that leaving with the money would be harder than she had expected.

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The funeral came to a close by the command of a cold rain that came uninvited.

All the guests departed leaving the family to sit inside the gloomy house sipping on tea to keep warm.

Ambrosia had found Elias again and she aimed to talk to him but I soon as they came into contact he left.

Again, and again, he dodged her.

Was he avoiding her?

Ambrosia had given up completely trying to get his attention and bumped into Ivy.

Amborisa and Ivy had decided to go into her room for the remainder of the day after Ivy had insisted she had something important to tell her.

"What do you have to tell me?" Ambrosia questioned.

"I'm sorry," Ivy wheezed out, "I'm sorry for the things that I said."

Ambrosia looked over at her sister and watched her wipe her eyes, the look of anger had completely melted from her.

Ambrosia grabbed her sister's hand and smiled. Although she had been close to fed up with Ivy's attitude it was her sister, and this was the perfect day to come to good terms. When they were both vulnerable.

"I understand Ivy."

Ivy squeezed Ambrosia's hand and took in a deep breath before speaking again.

"I know you might think I'm crazy but Aunt Tania....was acting weird."

Ambrosia nodded immediately.

"I noticed too."

This morning she was the last to get out of bed, and she walked through the house with a smile looking faker than usual.

"I told dad, but he wouldn't hear it," Ivy said.

"I'm just throwing this out there but..."Ambrosia began.

Ivy had stopped crying and she was glued onto Ambrosia's every word.

"Do you think grandmother was murdered?" she said in a low voice.

Ivy stared for a moment and nodded her head ever so slowly.

"She was found dead in a river, and never had any extreme medical history."

The two sisters looked at each other and knew that this equal suspicion had drawn them closer.

Not close enough to mend their friendship yet.

But close enough to create a stir in the sorrowful house and threaten those with wretched intentions.

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Just something to think about.