THE LULLABY KEY : THE FALL
CHAPTER 34: The Funeral, Finally
The service was held at a small church in Maine, not far from Lena’s cabin.
Only twelve people attended. Zero. Marcus. A few members of the Swarm. No politicians. No journalists. No one who wanted to be seen.
Julian Crane’s casket was closed. The bullet wounds were too extensive for an open service. But Lena didn’t need to see his face. She remembered it. The way he smiled when she won a spelling bee. The way he cried when she left for college. The way he looked at her mother, like she was the sun and he was just a planet orbiting around her.
The pastor spoke for a few minutes. Generic words about loss and love and the afterlife. Lena didn’t listen.
She stood at the casket, her hand resting on the wood.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m sorry I ran. I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me.”
The casket didn’t answer.
Of course it didn’t.
But Lena felt something. A presence. A warmth. A whisper.
The lullaby isn’t a song. It’s a door.
She hummed the melody.
And for a moment—just a moment—she felt at peace.
Marcus came up behind her. “You okay?”
“No. But I will be.”
He put his arm around her.
They stood like that, in silence, as the pastor finished his prayers and the mourners filed out.
When they were alone, Lena leaned down and kissed the casket.
“Goodbye, Dad.”
She walked out of the church, into the sunlight.
The sky was blue. The birds were singing. The world was still turning.
And somewhere out there, August Marchetti was still watching.
But Lena wasn’t afraid anymore.
She was ready.