Chapter 6 Southview Cemetery was brutally cold - even with two thick parkas layered over my shivering frame . ] The cemetery caretaker explained that most plots contained victims from that catastrophic earthquake . Many remains had been buried hastily , their identities impossible to determine from their broken bodies . ] My gaze drifted across the sea of flowers dotting the hillside . In my feverish state , I could almost see a gentle couple waving to me from between the gravestones . [ ] We visited the memorial artifact repository next . ] The room housed personal belongings recovered from victims - some claimed by relatives , many still waiting for recognition after all these years . [ ] Mae carefully extracted an old digital camera from one of the plastic bins . ] " Look at this - there's a name label stuck to the bottom . Laura . " [ ] My birth mother , Laura I powered on the camera with trembling fingers , and suddenly they were alive again on the small LCD screen . [ ] The footage began at 6 AM on that fateful day ] I saw a woman whose face bore a striking resemblance to mine - same cheekbones , same slightly crooked smile . Her voice was soft , musical . [ ] Young Rosalie appeared in the frame . [ ] My mother cradled her , gentle and infinitely patient : " Morning , sleepyhead ! Today we're going to that place you've been talking about. Look , Daddy bought you this special little backpack , and I made this jade pendant for you myself . Do you like it ? " ] Rosalie rubbed her eyes drowsily , glancing at the backpack and pendant with minimal interest before asking , " Are they worth anything ? " ] Mom kissed her check tenderly : " Sweetie , many things in this world can't be measured by money . Mommy and Daddy's love for you is endless ! " [ ] Rosalie's lips turned downward slightly , but she remained silent . [ ] The footage continued , showing their vacation journey . [ ] Rosalie never had to walk - she was either perched on her father's shoulders or carried in her mother's arms . Whatever food she pointed at , immediately appeared in her hands . Dad frequently said the same phrase : " Does my little princess have any other wishes ? Daddy will make them come true ! " ] Rosalie said she wanted lots and lots of money . ] Then added : " Mommy , if I became an orphan , could I live in a mansion ? " ] In her childish innocence , she believed orphanages were grand mansions where children lived in luxury . ] Mom reassured her with heartbreaking tenderness : " We'll never let you become an orphan , sweetheart . " [ ] They were gentler than I could have ever imagined . ] They sang lullabies before bedtime , and patiently helped their reluctant daughter with morning rituals like brushing teeth and washing her face . [] The final clips showed Mom getting up early , recording her husband and daughter as usual . ] Then came the violent shaking . The camera tumbled sideways . ] Both parents instantly shielded Rosalie with their bodies . She remained untouched in the tiny space created by their protective embrace. [ ] My mother's fading voice was captured by the microphone : " Baby girl , Mommy and Daddy can't watch you grow up . We're so sorry . Live well for us . Go to college . Do what makes you happy . Find someone who loves you . You'll pass away peacefully in a comfortable bed when you're a hundred years old - not here like us . " Dad made no sound ] But his broad shoulders held firm against the collapsing wall A metal rod had pierced his throat , his blood staining Rosalie's face crimson . [] Mae covered the screen , preventing me from seeing more { } A violent coughing fit seized me . She frantically grabbed my medication [ ] Take these They'll help with the pain . " Dary Crate Road Over Love Now They Cry at My GRAVE 445 Chapter 6 She looked awful crying - face blotchy , snot mixing with tears , some even smearing onto my jacket . ] I gently pushed her hand away , shaking my head . " No more pills . Just do one last thing for me ? " ] This made her cry even harder . ] I turned toward the hillside covered in flowers . " After I'm gone , scatter my ashes here . I don't want my parents to wait for me too long . " ] " Meeting you has been one of the best parts of this life . If we get another chance , let's work together again . " " Mae , I can't see you anymore . " ] ] My voice sounded distant even to my own ears , like whispers carried away by the wind . I'm not sure if she understood . [ ] Darkness consumed my vision , with only Mae's amplified sobbing reaching my ears . ] Then , even the sobbing faded to nothing . ] They Chose Blood Over Love Now Thury Cry at My GRAVE