Extinguished

                                    

                                          
I almost teared up while writing this chapter but then I am a sentimental idiot. And I had thought that 'Her Story' was tough. 
                          
By the way, I changed the last chapter slightly, if you wish to read it, great! Otherwise I'd tell you the change at the end of this chapter.
                          
Bria didn't know what to do. One moment, they had been enjoying the weather and the next moment it felt as if there couldn't be a darker day. Had her sweet friend really left them forever?
                          
Lily was crying softly and Celeste comforted her, even while tears fell down her own face.
                          
"Oh dear." A voice made them look up. It was the headmistress and her eyes held sadness. Almost at once, Lily got up and pointed a finger at the Professor.
                          
"You knew! You knew this would happen!" she screamed at her.
                          
"Know what?" Bria asked, wondering why Lily said so and why the headmistress looked slightly guilty.
                          
"She-"Lily began but Professor Emsworth raised a hand to silence her.
                          
"I am a Spiritus, as you know and am able to look into the auras of others. A black mark had appeared in your friend's aura a couple of weeks ago and I had known that her body had started rejecting the change." Then she turned to Lily and said, "Child, I know you're sad and angry but realise that I couldn't have done anything to save Tara, no matter how much I wish. My burden is to know. Know and watch, helpless to do anything."
                          
Lily's eyes held the guilt now, Bria could see. It was a worse fate, that of their headmistress.
                          
"I'm sorry." Lily said softly.
                          
"You could have told us Professor." Celeste asked as she stood up.
                          
Professor Emsworth shook her head slightly. "It wouldn't have helped. Instead it would have made it worse for you, if you would've known. You wouldn't have been able to spend these last days as you have. And trust me when I say this child, nothing can prepare you for the death of a beloved."
                          
Celeste nodded and Bria felt even worse for her. She had seen two deaths so young.
                          
"Come with me now, all of you. We need to tell her mother."
                          
"Oh lord." The words left Bria's lips.
                          
How were you supposed to tell a mother that her only child was no more?
                          
They followed her wordlessly. The walk to the library had never seemed so long.
                          
As they entered, Bria saw Mrs. Parker behind her desk. As she noticed the group, she smiled even though it soon turned into a confused frown. Bria wondered if she would ever smile again after hearing the news.
                          
"Aemilia, what's wrong?" Mrs. Parker looked at the Professor and when she didn't say anything, she looked at Bria. She could only lower her eyes, unable to tell her anything.
                          
"Katherine, I think you should sit down." Professor told her.
                          
"No. Aemilia, you're scaring me. What is it? Tell me. Tell me!" Bria heard the slight panic in her voice and looked back up to see Mrs. Parker clutching the headmistress's shoulders, worry obvious in her brown eyes. They were so much like Tara's. The thought made Bria's eyes mist over again.
                          
"Katherine, I'm sorry. There's no easy way to say this, your daughter...Tara, she couldn't survive the change."
                          
The effect of her words was immediate. Defiance sparked up in Mrs. Parker's eyes and she let go of Professor Emsworth's shoulders.
                          
"No. No. No..." she said the words. Over and over again.
                          
"I'm sorry Katherine." Professor said softly.