Please be aware that the next few chapters contain themes that some readers may find distressing or uncomfortable. If you are apprehensive about reading on without knowing what these themes entail, please feel free to private message me and I'll let you know. Thanks for reading.

Mira's P.O.V.

The sounds of the chirping crickets grew quieter as we wordlessly ascended the mountain, the faint glow of the Spirit's Eve festival fading out of view. Sebastian invited me to his house, telling me there was something he wanted to show me. Maybe he wanted to talk about what happened the other night… I gulped quietly, wondering what he might have to say. But, this was a good thing. I wanted to make things right with him as soon as I knew how I felt about Shane, and right on cue, the opportunity presented itself on a silver platter. Things couldn't have been more straightforward - I just had to make the most of it.

I followed Sebastian through his front door. All the lights were off - maybe everyone was in bed. I tried to keep my footsteps as light as possible as we descended into his basement bedroom. He allowed me to walk past him into the room, and he closed the door behind us. The room was dull, the only light coming from his two computer screens, the whirring of the computer's fans the only sound. "So um… What was it you wanted to show me?" I asked, turning back to face him. But he didn't respond. A dark expression was clouding his face and suddenly dread erupted within me. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you're not going home tonight." He spoke succinctly, wasting no time, yet every syllable was dripping with venom. This wasn't the Sebastian I knew and trusted. My breath was shaky. "What… Do you mean?"

I regretted even opening my mouth. His hands firmly gripped my shoulders, his voice now a fierce shout. "Why would you choose him over me?!"

"Wh-what?"

"You know what I'm talking about! Don't even try to play dumb!" The hate in his voice stung me to my core. I knew exactly what he was talking about… Me and Shane. My legs were rooted to the floor. I wanted to answer him but… The words just weren't there. "I… Seb, I…"

"Mira, please…" His voice was quiet now, edged with agony. "Run away with me. To the city. Tonight. We can do this… I can make you happy…" His desperate eyes captivated mine as he caressed my cheek. "We can be happy together… Far away from here."

"I…" This was all so sudden. One minute I was at the Spirit's Eve festival and now this? Why? I gently pulled his hand away from my face, my vision starting to blur with tears. "I… I can't do that."

"...Why not?"

"I… Well…"

"What reason could you possibly have?!"

"I-I…"

"Answer me… Tell me why!"

"I'm in love with Shane!" The scream leaves my mouth before I even have time to process it, tears furiously rolling down my face onto the floor. The silence that followed was suffocating, every second dripping with tar. That look in his eyes as he denied me eye contact - pained but unsurprised - gave me hope of getting away, albeit short lived.

"Why…?"

"B-because…" Adrenaline was still pumping. I couldn't stop myself from talking… I had to make him understand. "Because we're good for each other. I think he b-brings out the best in me…"

"You're wrong."

"No, I-"

"You're wrong!" He slammed the wall with his fist. I jumped out of my skin. "He brings out the worst in you. The way you yelled at everyone on Elliott's birthday? What you did to Pierre's display? How can you think he's made you anything but cruel?!"

"I…" Finally, I had no words left to say. He was wrong. My so called friends bullied me on Elliott's birthday. And Pierre was lying all along. He was wrong in so many ways, but… The sentences just muddled in my head and never made it out of my mouth.

"...You're sick. He's a sickness." His tone was almost robotic now. He stared in my direction, but not at me - through me, as if I wasn't even worth looking at anymore. "I have to get you away from him. I have to take you with me to the city." Drowning in his words I stared at the handle of his bedroom door and before I knew it, my feet were running toward it. If I could just get past him I could run to freedom, or at least shout for help. Sebastian turned to me with a cold look in his eyes and pushed me down to the floor, almost unrecognisable as the man I thought was my friend. My heart trembled in a panic, my breath short and fast. "I'm not going anywhere with you!" I gathered my breath and shouted at the top of my lungs. "Maru! Robin! HELP ME!"

"They aren't here." A dark expression had taken over once again. "Remember? They won't be back for a few more days." The shock hit me in the stomach like a ton of bricks. I'd forgotten all about them being on holiday… There was no one around to help me. I wanted to run. I wanted to fight, scratch, scream, but my whole body was frozen. Sebastian walked toward the door. "I can't let you leave until you reconsider my offer." Without another word, he swiftly opened the door, passed to the other side and slammed it. I heard it lock from the other side… I was trapped. The small room felt like a prison, the walls seemingly closing in on me as I curled into a ball, floods of tears stinging my eyes whilst I screamed in despair and confusion.

Shane's P.O.V.

Trying to neaten my hair in the bathroom mirror for the umpteenth time, I decided it was probably about time to leave the house. Heck, I even tried ironing my uniform for once. Why? Because this wasn't just any work morning… I was seeing Rain on the way to work. She wanted to talk to me… Alone. I mean, it probably wasn't what I was hoping, but the thought of it still made me nervous. It was 6:45… Time to leave. I tiptoed past Marnie's room and headed out of the door. The sun blinded me slightly as it did every morning, but I didn't mind it for once. I felt good. The thought of seeing Rain made getting up that morning so much easier. My back felt straighter, my steps felt lighter, and the walk through town wasn't as tiring as it usually was. I made my way up the steps to the fountain. I rarely went up there, but it was nice enough. The sun reflected off the water in a pretty way. But… no one else was there. By my watch it was 7am… Maybe she was going to leave her farm at 7am since it was only a short walk. My shift started at 8. I had time to wait. I sat down on the edge of the fountain and listened to the sound of the birds tweeting. It was quite nice to be out in the crisp morning air on my own terms.

7:15 came and went. Still no sign of her. Oh well… Maybe she was just running a little late. It happens. I could probably still afford to wait a little longer, though I'd have to hurry to work after we'd spoken. But that's okay, I thought. I didn't mind waiting for her. The town was kinda nice when it was quiet. No one was really around in the mornings, so it was nice to just take it all in.

7:30. Christ, where was she? I really had to get going to work soon. Maybe she'd overslept? I could just head down to the farm and see if everything's okay… As soon as that thought crossed my mind, two clicking heels walking up the steps broke the silence and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Jeez, what took you so-" But face to face with me wasn't Rain. It was that bimbo, Haley, wearing that usual fake lip glossed smile.

"What? Not who you were expecting?" she extended her words almost patronisingly. Apparently my face said it all. I didn't respond. "So, like, who are you waiting for?" Again, I didn't reply. She put one hand on her hip. "Oh, come on. No need to be such a priss."

"Rain."

"What?"

"...Mirabelle." I said in a quiet grunt. Haley laughed almost menacingly. "Oh, you are? You're waiting for Mira? I hate to like, break it to you, but she's not coming."

"What…?" I narrowed my eyes at her. What the hell was she up to now?

"I get it. You totally don't believe me. But trust me, you could wait there all day and she won't show up." Her tone was acidic. She appraised her nails, sticking her lips out ever so slightly. "She left town with Sebastian last night. Probably wanted to meet you to, like, say goodbye. Guess she decided it wasn't worth the effort in the end."

"Wha…" I sighed to myself. She was lying. She had to be. Rain wouldn't just disappear like that… Would she…?

"Oh, but don't worry~" she smiled a disgustingly large grin, looking down at me. "There's someone else here who wants to see you." Her fake eyelash clad eyes glanced over to the steps as she clicked her fingers obnoxiously. Another pair of feet started tapping against the stairs, coming closer. I turned to the sound, and I couldn't move. My breath caught in my throat - I felt like a cricket bat had smacked me on the back. The blonde bombshell walked toward me, sapphire blue eyes dazzling like gems in the sunlight, her tall, curvy figure coming into view. And finally, she stopped in front of me. There was no mistaking it. It was her.

"A-Amelie…" Her name left my lips before my brain even had time to catch up with the situation. Amelie. The woman to whom I gave my heart. The one who broke my heart, who made sure I'd never be able to trust enough to give its pieces to another. Why was she here…? I subconsciously shook my head in disbelief. She couldn't be here. She couldn't be stood in front of me so… So casually.

"Hi, baby," she said softly, confidently, "I've been wanting to see you for so long." She was lying… There was no way she wasn't. She crushed my heart into dust and here she was, all lovey dovey like nothing ever happened? It was the only logical explanation… But logic had no hold over me just then. Her face like an angel, smiling so sweetly… She came back for me? Butterflies began to flutter in my stomach. She still loved me? "I've missed you, Shane."

"I… I…" My lower jaw kept moving but no words would form. No words could even begin to explain what I was feeling.

"It's okay, sweetie," she caressed my cheek with her hand. Those soft, beautiful hands. "I've come back for you. Won't you come with me?"

"Wh-where…?"

"Anywhere you want," she giggled blissfully. "We can travel the world together. We can see things we've never seen before… Just you and me."

"We… We can?" My voice was breathy. I could hear it. But I didn't care. My eyes were firmly fixated on the goddess' face before me.

"Of course we can," she tilted her head to one side sweetly, drawing ever closer to me. "So? Will you come with me?"

"I…" In that moment, reasoning didn't occur to me. Explanation of how she found me, how she could possibly be with me, didn't matter at all. She was a serene tidal wave and in that moment I was swept away within her. And one moment was enough to consume me in the all too familiar feeling of loving her again entirely. "I will." As soon as I breathed those words she wrapped her arms around me and rested her head on my shoulder. I closed my eyes and took her in… Her soft skin, her sweet scent. Her lips drew close to my ear. "Then let's go. And you can leave that other silly girl behind."

"What?" I pulled back from her and instantly I remembered where I was. Who I was. And who she was - well, both of them. Rain… The woman I fell head over heels for. The loyal, sweet, and compassionate farmer. And Amelie. I finally realised what this was all about. She didn't want me back, nor did she love me… But the thought of me moving on and being happy with another woman riled her to her core. I understood, finally. It was all a ruse. Haley. Amelie. They were conspiring. They all wanted us apart. "...No. I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Oh come on, Shane," her voice was brash and loud now just as her angelic face contorted into the bitter, toxic woman she really was. "Aren't you a bit old to be playing at puppy love?" She laughed, a shrill, condescending laugh, and one I knew all too well. How on earth did I fall for her spell again? She was evil. Heartless. "No woman could ever really want you. You know I'm the only one who did. That's why your little crush left you in the dust."

"...Get the hell out of my way." I pushed her off of me, and her face shifted from arrogance to shock and down into anger.

"So, what, you're not coming with me? After everything we've been through?!" After everything? Like you cheating? Like you betraying me? I was done here. I felt like shit and I couldn't take anymore. "Shane!" She screamed after me, but I kept walking. "I-I'm never coming back!" Her tone was desperately enraged now, like every other time she didn't get what she wanted. "And no woman will ever love you! You'll die alone, Shane, and I hope it hurts!" her voice trailed off as I gained distance between us. That… Was a shock to the system I didn't need. I felt physically sick - my whole body felt heavy as I walked. I never wanted to see her again. I could've shaken that off, just maybe, but… "Rain…" I mumbled to myself. She never showed up… Was she really gone? The thought of it tore me up inside. Was I really destined to be alone? Because I didn't think I'd be able to trust again if she really was gone. No, it's okay… It's fine. I shook my head as I crossed the bridge. I just have to get through the work day. Then I can figure things out. I'll go to the farm. I'll see her. She isn't gone… She… Can't be.

Before I knew it, I was through the doors of Joja. And just as suddenly, Morris was uncomfortably close to me, his face beet red and his brow so furrowed it'd take an iron to straighten it out. "Shane! What on earth do you think you're doing?! You are twenty minutes late! This is not acceptable!"

"Yeah. Sorry." I started to walk past him toward the staff room but he intercepted me again. "I'm docking your wages. Maybe then you'll learn a thing or two about respect!" His saliva showered onto my face as he spoke. I clenched my fists. I couldn't deal with this. It was all too much.

"Are you listening to me?!" His shriek was the final straw. Almost instinctively I raised my fist and hit him in the nose as hard as I could. With a small yelp, Morris hit the floor like a sack of potatoes. I wasn't… Okay. And maybe I never really would be. I stormed out of Joja, grabbing a six pack of beer from one of the nearby shelves on my way out. I was done. I'd had enough. And I knew exactly where I was going next.