A History of Wings
an excerpt

The thing about funerals, Lanikai mused, was that they were always the same.
“Lily was an amazing girl, who always gave everything her all. She was a sweet child, and was loved dearly by family and friends.”
The sun was just setting on the little cemetery as family and friends gathered to say one last goodbye to their beloved girl. Lani stood towards the back of the cemetery, watching the ceremony.
No matter how many funerals she watched, they were always the same. There were always people in black clothing. They always said beautiful words, praising the deceased, even if no one had really like them.
No matter how many funerals she watched, Lani knew she would never understand death.
There was a chorus of ‘Amen’, followed by loud sobbing, and Lani knew that the ceremony was over. She watched the people stand, all hugging each other. A couple, Lani assumed they were the parents stood at the front of the crowd. People began to crowd around the pair, crying and giving their sympathies. For a moment, just a moment, Lani thought she felt her eyes water.
She heard a faint ringing, and pulled a cell phone out of her pocket. Bringing it to her ear, she muttered, “Lani.”
“We’ve found him.” A voice replied.
Lani’s face did not change, but she felt her heart pump a little faster. “Where?”
“The club. Eleven o’clock.”
Then the line was cut.
Lani took a deep breath and pocketed the phone. She looked up at the parents, giving a firm nod to no one in particular. “She will be avenged.” She whispered, though no one could hear her.
Tearing her eyes away from the scene, Lani turned around and headed towards the cemetery exit. She stopped at the gate, tempted to look back at the scene. With a quiet sigh, she continued walking out of the cemetery, down the path towards the heart of the city.
The funny thing was, Lani thought, she would never really understand life either.