Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars. - Khalil Gibran

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The world was silent. Completely silent.

Aeron stared unseeing out the window as the old truck slogged through traffic, the wipers pushing the slow-falling drops of rain from the windshield. The only noise was the rushing in his ears, as if his heart was trying to make up for his mental shock by beating twice as fast. The birds were silent; the regular traffic noises were nonexistent; the radio was off for the first time in fifteen years. No one spoke.

Darrin and his five children were to come to Didi and Beni's house that evening after they made a stop in a close neighborhood where Amy's best friend resided. She might already know - news traveled fast in Parker Dam. Darrin and Aeron's grandparents would have to work out a plan that would keep Darrin in work as well as provide care for his five young children, who were now without a mother.

The tears that had subsided but were never really gone erupted in full force. Aeron wept with all the fury and passion and heartbreak that had ever infiltrated his lonely life. His seatbelt, cutting into his chest as he doubled over with sobs, was the only thing holding him up.

Up until the doctor said the ugly, ugly words, Aeron had refused to believe that it was possible - he hadn't been mentally capable of believing that it had happened. To accept that it had would have been to accept that life could never be good again, and that he had finally broken beyond repair - that his life could never be the same. Too late. The reality had been thrust upon him against his will.

Amy was gone.

Keala had been absolutely silent when she heard the news. She hadn't said a word, made a noise, or acted hurt. She had been expressionless, emotionless.

Aeron had sobbed as the knife of loss twisted even deeper into his soul.

Then all the doctors and nurses had gone, and the family had divided into their little sections: the Elleve family in one car and the grandparents and Aeron in the other. And now they arrived home. Everything was where it had been the morning Aeron had creeped out of his house, intent on finding his parents.

Now he just wanted his aunt back.

Aeron now stood at his desk, staring at its mirrored surface. In one swift motion he swept all the books, knick-knacks, and photos to the ground, leaving the cold glass scratched but empty. He would have to start over and learn how to live with this new wound. He would refuse to be the victim of the blows life had dealt him. He would not surrender to the pain like he had for so long. He had to honor his aunt and the legacy she had left behind. And, from this new purpose, strength would grow.

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BookShipper13: I love your name! So true XD. As for your questions… I hope the question "where is Amy now" has been adequately answered with this horrible chapter :# Sorry 'bout that.

2) Q: "Is Aeron gonna go to the Lost Cities?" A: …. We'll see…

3) Q: "Who was the creepy nurse?" A: I'm going to give you the lawyer answer - "It depends." XD I may or may not have something planned for her.

I'm so glad you like it! Thanks for reading!

Bookworm1221: Thanks so much for following this! I would LOVE to collaborate sometime :) I have currently cancelled PM but I could probably reopen it to collaborate :) Just comment anytime you have an idea of something to work on and I'd love to discuss it! Thanks for the encouragement!

Team Foster-Secen: Ok, before I answer any of your questions… Warning to all people reading this that are not Team Foster-Secen - SPOILERS AHEAD! Ok now that's over with.

Wait. Are you really wanting me to confirm/deny your theories? I mean, was it that obvious…. ?

If you really want answers, comment on this chapter and tell me so :) In the meantime, you officially get the award for BEST READER EVERRRRRRRRR for reading pretty much all of my stories and commenting more than literally anybody ever has! You have been such an encouragement to me and have been so awesome I can't even tell you how much your support has meant :) Love ya!

-RJ Cadigan