Wait.

Wait.

That one word could have saved a life. The life of my best friend, whom I had known since as long as I could remember, and just one simple word could have saved her.

Wait.

Because if I had said that one word, she wouldn't have kept running. And if she hadn't kept running, she would have seen the car. And if she had seen the car, she would have stopped. And if she had stopped, the car wouldn't have hit her.

And if the car hadn't hit her...

I might have seen her again.

Wait.

The word echoes over and over again in my head, creating a gently pulse that fills my whole body with sorrow. Looking before me, I see the small marble arc there, with three dreaded letters engraved into it, inked in gold.

RIP.

Wait.

No, stop it! I can't, and won't wait. Wait for this to end. Gingerly, I reach for the blade in my deep dress pockets. I delicately trace the pattern round my heart with the tip, letting a little blood loose.

No, wait!

What? Who's saying that?

"I am."

I turn around slowly, and there she is. Decked in white, with thick fluffy wings out behind her. Her long, curly hair flows like a golden fountain like a halo around her head. A real halo take pride of place, glinting in the sunlight.

"How? What-?"

"Just, wait."

I close my eyes, unable to think, but remember the dear friend I am looking at and see nothing when they're open again.

One change, though. I single word now joins the grim initials on the headstone.

Wait.