(Ravine POV)

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The priest concluded the funeral ceremony and everyone began bidding Troy's parents a farewell hug while some offered their final condolences to them.

John has his arm wrapped around his wife while Grace is just looking down at her son's casket. Some of our schoolmates also attended the ceremony. Though I hardly know some, I definitely recognize some as well. Ms. Jam is also present by the way.

"Your son is a good person. I am proud to have been his teacher even if it's only for a short period of time" Ms. Jam said to Grace and John.

"Thank you." Grace said.

"I'll leave the two of you now. My sincere condolences again."

"Son! Do you want to go home and rest now?" Dad asked me.

"No, it's okay, dad. I'll just stay for a little while. You and Sylvia can take Milo home if you want. Gwen will just give me a ride home." I said.

"If you say so." Dad said before leaving with Sylvia and Milo.

After half an hour, there are only five people left in the area and those people include Troy's parents, me, Gwen and Craig.

I then felt Craig's hand on my shoulder.

"Ravine, are you okay?"

"One of my closest friends just died and you're asking if I am okay? Are you okay?" I said.

"Ravine, no need to be bitchy. He's just concerned for you." Gwen rolled her eyes.

"I'm sorry. It just...It all just happened so fast. I should have seen the signs." I said.

"What signs?" Craig asked.

"His signs of loneliness and grief." I replied.

"Do you actually think that he killed himself? I thought you said the doctor told you that he found no signs of suicide whatsoever."

"I do not even know what to believe anymore." I said before bursting into tears.

"It just doesn't make sense. He's so young, he could have had a bright future ahead of him, and he has so much to give. Why would he be taken this early? What even kills me more is that we could have visited him a long time ago but we prioritized other things." I sobbed which made Gwen very upset that she began bawling as well.

"Don't worry, son! You're not the only one feeling that way. I'm sure you feel shitty right now but not as shitty as I do." Troy's father said. "I could have helped him. I could have but I didn't fucking do anything. I just watched him suffer without offering any sort of help. More than that, I blamed him for everything. I blamed him for the treatment he's been getting at school, I blamed him for getting beat up, I blamed him for having those bruises, I blamed him for being gay. I blamed him for everything. I am a fucking terrible father. Now, I will not get to see him anymore. Now, I will not be able to tell him that he's beautiful just the way he is. I will not be able to tell him how sorry I am for the pain I inflicted upon him. I will not be able to hold him anymore. How could I have done those things? God! I am so sorry. I am so sorry, Troy. I am so sorry, Grace." John broke down while Grace is crying just as hard as he is.

"I am just as guilty as you are, John. I could have done something to but I didn't. I fucking didn't. I should have known earlier. Maybe this wouldn't have happened if I just paid attention enough." Grace said.

Their confessions are so heartfelt, genuine and sincere that I couldn't help but shed more tears of sympathy for them.

It is quite funny because even though the doctor told us that Troy did not commit suicide and his death is painless, we can't help but get skeptical about the sudden occurrence of his death and the mystery behind it. Was it really unintentional or not?

I guess I will never find out anymore.

Later during dinnertime...

"I still can't believe it. Surely there must have been a reason why Troy just died. It's impossible for him to pass just like that without any cause. The doctor also said that he did not commit any form of suicide based on his autopsy so how could that happen? It just does not make any sense at all." I said to Dad and Sylvia.

"Have you ever heard of the Divine ending?" Sylvia said.

"I have not. What the heck is that?" I said.

"I don't know if you will believe this story or not but according to my grandmother, if a person has suffered so much pain and agony here in this world but kept his faith strong until his very last breath, the Lord will shine a light on him one last time and grant unto him the gift of passing away without any hint of pain." She explained.

"Actually, I really don't believe in that anymore, Sylvia. No offense." I replied.

"No worries. None taken." She nodded.

"My mother has already drained my remaining faith out of my system."