28. The fake funeral

Sam obviously knew that Shandra was not dead.

But it was still hard to face the deep, sinister grave that had been dug in the local cemetery, next to the headstones of his parents, who had died a few days earlier.

He was wearing a sleek black overcoat, as well as dark long pants and boots. Side conversations did not go unnoticed to him either. Most of Shandra's teachers were there, as well as some classmates and also her ex-boyfriend.

Sam overheard when one of the teachers, a balding potbellied man, whispered in another teacher's ear:

"I heard that the coffin is closed because she had a very nasty accident."

"Is that right?"

"Yes. The poor thing was wandering alone in the rain and couldn't swerve in time. The bastard driver didn't even render aid. It was instantaneous death."

"She was such a good student..." The woman wipes her tears with a handkerchief before continuing, "She never gave me a hard time. She was well-behaved, hard-working. Maybe a little outcast and antisocial, but..."