What The Rain Knows

She stood in front of his grave as the rain crashed down on top of her, but it was nowhere near as heavy as the sorrow she carried. His parents had tried to stop her, told her to at least take an umbrella, but she hadn't listened. She didn't want to listen anymore, not after everything they'd told her. Everything about Ethan that she'd known—no, everything she thought she'd known, was a lie. Nothing but lies. 

She'd questioned Phoebe right away, but she’d remained silent the whole way though. Silent as questions turned to accusations, raised voice to yells, all the while Ethan's parents stood and watched them, speechless. What was there to say to a girl who'd been lied to by one of her closest companions? Everyone had been silent but her. Nothing but silence until she felt she was screaming at a brick wall, and stormed out of the house. Maybe the thunder would tell her the truth. The truth about Ethan.

And Zane. 

Zane, the murderer.

Her legs had led her to Ethan's grave, which hadn't surprised her. In the back of her mind, she knew what needed to be done. But if she was wrong, she would never be able to forgive herself. 

So there she stood, more conflicted than the wind that tore through her hair left and right, pelting droplets of rainwater on either side of her face to mask the river of tears that now stained her cheeks. She had always been fond of the rain for that very reason. The heavier it was, the better. 

But there was no one to hide her tears from now. No one but herself. 

She focused on each individual drop that pelted her shoulders. None of this is real. You'll wake up soon. Wake up. Wake up. Please, wake up...
The rain hit her even harder now, as if insulted by her denial of its reality. Her reality. It may have washed the evidence of her pain away, but it could not wash away the hole in her chest. The hole that was now festered with lies. If only she'd known....

No, this can't be right. He's dead, Evian. You watched him die. You watched, and you did nothing. You were even at his funeral. Remember his face? Cold and white? Void and expressionless? You watched as they buried him, crying the whole time. But the sun was shining bright that day, wasn't it? Mocking his death like it never happened. 

Like it never happened.

You're standing in front of his grave right now, aren't you? You know what you'll find down there.

She knew what she would find down there.

There is nothing in this world that would make Phoebe lie to you.

Nothing. 

“Unless... No...” Unable to stop herself, she collapsed to the ground, burying her bare hands into the mud. Even though the water had softened the earth, there was still way too much of it between her and the unbearable truth she sought. Still, she continued digging on the brink of insanity. She could feel the tears splashing onto the backs of her hands now that the rain could no longer see her face. Blinking them away, she continued. She kept going until she collapsed from exhaustion, covering herself in mud.

Let me help, Tear said from the back of her mind. I can dig for you. Please, Evian, let me help! I can't bear to see you like this....

Evian hesitated. Was Tear really willing to dig up Ethan's grave based on one silly assumption?

I believe in you, Evi.

That was all she needed to hear. Evian put her hand over her heart to summon the dragonling to her side. With a nod, she let Tear dig her way down into the earthy depths below, unsure of what she might find. Water quickly flooded the hole. Luckily, the dragonling was well-equipped for the underwater excursion, with her claws and various fin-like protrusions. She would be fine without air for a while, if need be.
Evian stared at Ethan's grave while she waited.

ETHAN ADRIEL LUNDSTEIN
1992 – 2007
MAY HE LIVE ON
IN THE HEARTS OF
ALL WHO LOVED HIM

Her gaze focused on the words until her eyes stung from the effort. 

May he live on… All who loved him….

“Loved”...?

It wasn't long until Tear returned to her from the puddle of a hole she'd made, not even bothering to cover it back up. Evian knew exactly what Tear was going to tell her before she said it.

It's—

“Empty?” The voice came from no more than a few feet behind her, but she recognized it for what it was now. For who it was. On her feet and whirling around in a matter of seconds, she took in the truth for all it was worth. How could she have been so stupid? 

The rain had stopped. Nothing could hide her sorrow now.

“Hello… Ethan.” 

Ethan, the murderer.