As the sun disappeared below the horizon, the night eventually settled over the space. The moon was bright, accompanied by the rivers of twinkling stars.
The lawn lay tranquil beneath the silvery moonlight. The ceremony for Rufus' funeral took place as planned at this hour.
Lanterns hung from branches of the trees near the stream, their paper skins glowing warm orange. Candles flickered inside glass jars, arranged neatly along the bank. Their light was caught on the water's surface.
As light and shadow interwove across the grass, it turned the lawn into something solemn and sacred. The quiet wasn't simply empty, but was meant to show respect to the deceased.
Earlier today, Isaac had dug a deep, clean hole under a tree. The earth was packed neatly around its edges. He had carefully placed a metal platform inside the hole before he stepped back.
Now, Rufus' body lay on the platform. His face and limbs were cleaned; not even a speck of dirt or dried blood was left.
