Breakdown

Meg woke up to a cloudy day. At first she thought it was just any normal day, but then she looked around the room more clearly, felt Adam's arm around her waist and Zac sleeping next to her. She then remembered that her mom was dead. A few tears escaped her eyes and buried her face into Adam's chest. He awoke to her sobbing.

"Meg, it's okay…shhh…I'm here" he said as he rubbed soothing circles into her back.

She lifted her head and looked into his eyes.

"I have to go Adam. Mom's funeral is this afternoon and I have to help my family get ready. Will you come this afternoon?" She asked pleadingly.

Adam took on a dark look. He shook his head.

"I can't Meg, I have work to do."

More tears filled her eyes as she heard his harsh words. She didn't say anything as she ran sobbing out the door.

She ran blindly down the hill stumbling as she went. The pain was now more intense thanks to Adam McAdam.

"I was a fool to think I could change him" was the only thought as she dressed for her mother's funeral.

……………………….

It had become more and more dark as the morning went on and by the time the funeral procession started, a light drizzle had come about.

Meg was numb to everything around her at that moment. Her heart felt like it had been broken into a million pieces. With her mom dying and Adam not being there it was almost too hard to handle.

"David came, so why didn't Adam?" She thought.

But then she remembered that Adam still wasn't on good terms with the rest of her family.

When the service was over, David came up and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry for my grandpa's behavior this morning" He said.

All Meg could do was nod and fight back tears.

……………………….

The events after the funeral finally sent her over the edge. They were gathered at the local pub for the wake and Meg alternated between being with her father and sitting next to her sister.

After a while, she was standing next to her father who was talking with the priest and the doctor when Peter Quill walked up with one of his friends.

"Keith" Peter began. "We're really sorry for your loss. It's times like these that we should all stick together."

A sudden jolt of life and anger shot through Meg when she realized what they were talking about.

"You haven't signed the petition, we'd be grateful if you did."

The doctor looked disgusted. "You've got a poor sense of timing."

Keith faced Peter. "You have no evidence that Zac has been killing sheep. None. Now you can ask McAdam to get rid of his dog if you'd like, but I'll not consent to having Zac put down. Can't you see how much this dog means to my daughter?"

Peter glanced at Meg and then at Keith again. "I saw him attack my dog."

"Your dog probably asked for it!" Keith half-shouted.

At that moment, Meg couldn't help the sobs that wracked through her body.

"I…have….to…..go!" Meg managed to let out through her tears and ran out the door.

Keith turned back towards Peter angrily. "Look what you've done!" He then walked swiftly away from the group.

Meg meanwhile ran through the fields blindly until her legs couldn't take it anymore. She collapsed against a wall and cried until she had no more tears left. Suddenly a black and white figure appeared on the hill.

"Zac!" Meg cried.

The border collie pricked his ears and ran to his young friend. He licked the tears off her face and lay down in her lap. The two fell asleep soundly not noticing the rain that was gathering in the clouds.