Lucy's eyes glazed over as she laid on the couch, mindlessly flipping through TV channels. The mystery program she had been drawn into had concluded, and now she was going past channel after channel to find something to pull her interest. None of the brief glimpses of shows she went through really stood out to her. It was a lazy Sunday afternoon, and not much was on. Unfortunately, Mike, Paulo, and Daisy were all busy, so she had nobody to hang out with. With a heavy sigh, Lucy resigned herself to watching the news until something worth her time came on.

"And that's the latest on the local and national news!" Said the peppy news anchor, smiling wide into the camera that would broadcast her face to households all over Roseville. "Let's take a moment to hear from Marley with the weather. What can you tell us about this evening?"

"Thank you, Claire." The weatherperson, a dog Lucy presumed was Marley, replied with a smile just as big. It was almost like the two were competing on who could have the biggest, fakest smile. The thought amused Lucy, and she smiled a little. "We've had a pretty uneventful week, but as you'll see here, this evening…"

"Sup mom!" Said a loud voice from around the corner of the couch. A little lizard waddled in front of Lucy and hopped up on the coffee table. The khao manee didn't take notice at first, mind wandering, not even paying much attention to the weather either. She was thinking about school, her friends, Mike and her - "Hey mom!" Yashy said a little louder, hopping up and down and waving her arms.

Lucy blinked and finally took notice of her pet. She smiled at her, Yashy was her pride and joy. Finding her egg was one of the best things that ever happened to her. Even if Yashy could be a bit much, Lucy had a deep, unconditional love for her. "Sorry, Yashy. What's up?"

"I'm bored!" Yashy said with a huff. "I want to go outside."

Lucy frowned and rolled onto her back with a groan. While she loved Yashy, she also wasn't particularly in the mood to go outside. Or, anything that involved her getting off her comfy spot on the couch. "Mph… not now, Yashy."

"Awww, c'mon mom! You've been watching TV all day!" Yashy said in an annoying, whiny voice. This did little to sway Lucy to her side.

"Can't you go play outside by yourself? Or see if Lily or Chirpy wants to play?" Lucy asked, trying to find an out.

Yashy folded her arms. "Lily is taking a nap and Chirpy is out with Blur."

Lucy rubbed her face. "I'm not feeling it right now… go on without me. I might be out later."

Yashy growled and hopped off the table. "Fine, I'll have more fun by myself anyhow! See ya, lazy."

"Bye, Yashy. Stay safe." Lucy said, rolling to go back to watching TV. The door opened and slammed shut, Yashy really trying to make her point. Lucy did feel a little bad, but she was tired and Yashy needed to learn to play by herself. She'd watch some more TV and if nothing caught her fancy, she'd get off the couch and go outside.

"And that's all for the weather!" Marley chimed. "Back to you, Claire." Claire happily took the spotlight again, and went on to prattle more about local goings on, and a few major news pieces from around the country and the rest of the world. Lucy felt herself becoming drowsy. 'Perhaps Lily had the right idea.' She thought. 'A nap sounds nice.'

Lucy pulled the blanket that was folded over the back of the couch over her. With a couch pillow under her head, and the news anchors droning on, Lucy's eyes grew heavy and she soon fell asleep. She had pleasant dreams. Dreams about her friends. Dreams about her future. Dreams about the quiet times she had with Mike. Lucy smiled in her sleep and trilled happily at the thoughts.

Afternoon turned to evening in her slumber, and storm clouds had rolled in. This was as Marley the weather dog had predicted, but Lucy had been so distracted by Yashy she hadn't seen it. The temperature dropped, and the bright, sunny skies turned dark. The rains came, slow at first but then picked up in intensity. Lightning and thunder came from far away, rumbling and crashing. This was about the time Lucy woke up from her nap.

"Mmph…" Lucy's eyes fluttered open and she stretched across the couch. She was a little disoriented about what time it was, as it had gotten so dark outside. Fortunately for her, the news was still on and she was able to spot the time. It was 7:23 according to the bottom overlay. Lightning flashed and thunder shortly followed.

"What a rager." Jordan commented, looking out the window at the chaos. Lucy looked over as well, seeing the wind and rain thrashing the trees outside, and pounding on the windows.

The girl sat up to get a better look when their mother called. "C'mon kids, time for dinner!"

Now Lucy could smell it, the scent of a delicious homemade meal wafting into the living room from the dining room. She peeled herself off the couch and lazily walked to the dining room with a yawn. Lily and Chirpy were already there, and the places were already set out, with Lucy's mom putting the last of the food on the table. Jordan followed in soon after, taking his seat. When they all got situated and started eating, they talked about their days. Jordan had to catch up on studying for a test the next day. Lily hadn't done much. Chirpy and Blur had a fun day, but she came home when the storm arrived.

It all went in one ear and out the other for Lucy, who was still waking up. That's when Chirpy asked, "Girl kitty, where's mommy at?"

Lucy blinked, a little confused. "Mommy?"

"Yeah…" Lily said, looking around for the precocious green lizard. "Now that you mention it, don't see Yashy."

There was a bright flash followed by a loud clap of thunder and realization came rushing to Lucy like a freight train. She gasped loudly and stood up so fast her chair nearly fell over. Jordan rolled his eyes. "Geez, it's just a storm, Lucy. Don't tell me you're afraid of those now."

"Is everything alright, dear?" Lucy's mom asked, a little alarmed by her daughter's sudden movement.

"Oh no…" Lucy whispered to herself under her breath. Without another moment's hesitation, she booked it for the front door.

"Lucy! Where are you going?!" Her mother called out, but Lucy didn't hear nor care. She had to find Yashy. When she pushed the door open, the blustery winds ripped it from her grasp and slammed it open. Lucy stumbled a bit, but regained herself and took off into the stormy night.

The rain pelted her like little stones. The wind howled in anger, as though it were upset that this little white cat would be so arrogant as to run about in it. Lightning flashed, giving Lucy a brief glimpse at the chaotic world around her. Trees looked gnarled, and everyday objects looked like horrifying monsters. The thunder that followed was deafening and shook the ground beneath her, which is why when her brother was screaming her name at the top of his lungs, she didn't hear him. He tried his best to try and catch up, but years of trying to beat Mike in races had made Lucy a formidable runner.

It was hard to see with the thick sheet of rain that was torrenting around them. The ditches were flooding, water rushing every which way. The wind had stripped the trees of leaves, and in some cases, branches. Lucy cried out for Yashy amidst the din, but she heard nothing. Her lungs were starting to burn from all the running and yelling. She was absolutely soaked and she was starting to feel a chill down to her bones. Tears were streaming down her face. The longer her search went on, the more desperate and dire things were becoming. She stumbled into a ditch and almost fell due to the rushing waters, and that's when she almost tripped on something on the bank.

Lucy wiped the rain out of her eyes and gasped when she saw what it was that she came across. It was green and small. "Yashy?!" Lucy cried, but it didn't respond. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Yashy, but she wasn't moving. Lucy shook her shoulder gently, but there was still no response. She shook it a little harder to the same result. "No… no….!" Lucy cried. "Yashy! Yashy please wake up! Wake up!" But the little lizard made no sound nor movement. Lucy put her good ear to the pet's chest. No heartbeat. She checked her tiny wrist. No pulse. Lucy tried one last thing, placing a hand just over her mouth to feel for a breath, any sign of life, but there was nothing.

The khao manee kneeled over her beloved Yashy, hands over her mouth, tears streaming down her face. Lucy's mind reeled. No… it couldn't be… Yashy couldn't be… "Lucy!" Jordan's voice cut through the storm. "Lucy, where are you?!" But Lucy was in too much shock to say anything. The boy finally caught up with her and grabbed her arm. "Lucy! What were you thinking! We have to get inside!"

But when Jordan tried to pull her away, she screamed at him and threw a punch. "NO! I can't leave Yashy!"

"Yashy?" Jordan asked, and then he saw the green heap on the ground. "Oh… Lucy, we can't stay out here! We'll get sick!"

Lucy nodded and scooped up her pet, and the two scurried back to the house, where her mother stood in the doorway with Lily and Chirpy, looking out anxiously for their return. Once inside, Lucy and Jordan were greeted by blankets. It was now Lucy realized how cold she was, but she didn't let go of Yashy for a moment.

When Lucy's friends arrived at school the next morning, they immediately noticed she was absent. Mike had noticed before everyone else, as he and Lucy always walked to school together, but he shrugged it off as her getting a late start. This was what everyone believed until their third round of classes when she was still gone.

"Man, I ain't had nothin' to look at since she hasn't been here." Paulo bellyached.

Sue rolled her eyes. "Oh please, is that all she is to you? Something to ogle at?"

"Mind your own business!" Paulo said. "You're just jealous that I'm not ogling you!"

"I am not!" Sue scoffed, bright red. This led the two into an argument.

Daisy looked sadly at Lucy's empty seat. "It's not like her to miss school… I hope she's okay, Mikie. You should get her schoolwork for her and bring it to her after school."

Mike sighed. He figured the last thing Lucy would want is that. She was probably just feeling under the weather. He did take Daisy's advice, and once school was over, he headed out to Lucy's house. It was a nice day, in stark contrast to the violent storm the night before. The effects of it could still be seen. Trees looked bare, some were missing limbs. Some of the ditches were still a little flooded. Everything was soaked or covered in leaves. The thunder had been unpleasant for Mike, but he at least managed to get some sleep. Unfortunately for Lucy, she hadn't gotten any.

He found himself at Lucy's front door and gave it a solid knock. Lucy's mother opened it, but didn't greet him with her usual enthusiastic self. Instead, he got a, "Oh, good afternoon Michael. I suppose you're here to check up on Lucy."

Mike was beginning to feel a little more worried. Something really bad must have happened. "Yeah… Is she okay? I brought some of her schoolwork… is it alright if I come in?"

The mom gave it a moment of thought. She could see the look of worry in the boy's face. "Come on in. Lucy hasn't left her room or talked to anyone since last night. Maybe she'll be willing to talk to you."

There was an uneasy knot in the pit of Mike's stomach. He had to see her, now. He had to see that she was alright. He followed Lucy's mom and passed Lily and Chirpy on the couch, neither of which looked up when he walked by. At Lucy's room, her mother gave a small knock on the door. "Sweetheart? Michael's here." There was no response, though Mike could hear sobbing and sniffling from the other side of the door. "I'm sure she'll be okay if you say hi. I'll leave you to it." Her mom said, and she walked off.

Mike slowly entered the room. Lucy was on her bed, crying her eyes out. She looked like a mess, fur all matted and dirty. Her bow was discarded on the floor, and it too was filthy. "Lucy?" Mike took a few steps closer to the bed. "What's wrong?"

"What do you w-want, Michael…" She replied bitterly through her tears and clenched teeth.

"We saw you weren't at school today… I was just coming to see how you were…" He said.

"Go. Away." Lucy sobbed angrily. "Just go away!"

Mike nodded a little. He knew better than to not listen to Lucy. "Alright… when you're ready… you know where to find me…" And with that, he left the crying girl, and closed the door gently behind him. On his way to the front door, Lily stopped him. She was sitting on the back of the couch.

"She told you to leave, didn't she?" She asked gravely.

"Yeah. I better do what she asks, if I don't, she-"

"No." Lily said firmly. "She needs you right now. Whether she knows it or will admit to it or not. She needs you."

"But-" Mike tried to counter, but Lily wouldn't hear it.

"No buts! You march back up there and sit with her until she's okay." The hedgehog said, pointing up the stairs.

"What is even going on?!" Mike asked, exasperated. All this fuss and he still had no idea what for.

Lily lowered her gaze. It looked like whatever she had to say was painful. "Yashy… the storm… She… didn't make it…"

The knot in Mike's stomach grew tighter. Yashy, Lucy's anchor… gone. Now it all made sense. "I… I'll stay."

Lily nodded and Mike turned tail to go back upstairs. He silently entered Lucy's room, closing the door behind him again, and placed his backpack on the ground. From there, he took a seat on the edge of Lucy's bed, and waited. The girl cried and cried. Mike had never heard her so upset. She fretted over his presence, demanding he leave, hurling all sorts of threats and insults his way, but Mike refused. He said nothing, only waiting for her to be ready to talk. After a while, Lucy eased up on him, and after a little more time, she crawled over to him and laid her head on his lap.

"It's m-m-my f-fault, Michael…" She choked out. "S-so stupid!"

Mike placed a hand on her back in a gesture of comfort. "It's not your fault. You couldn't have known-"

"But I SHOULD HAVE!" She yelled in his face. Mike jumped a little at the yelling and the sudden change in attitude, and Lucy teared up again looking at his hurt expression. She laid herself back down on him and hugged his midsection. "Sorry… s-sorry… I didn't m-mean…"

Mike hugged her as best he could in the awkward position. "It's okay." They hugged like this for a few moments, with Lucy still sobbing lightly into him before Mike spoke again. "Have you… uh…" He didn't really know what to say, or how to say it, but Lucy understood. She shook her head.

"N-not yet…" She looked through blurry eyes at a shoebox on her desk. "I… c-couldn't… Michael…." Her voice wavered into more tears. "It's all my f-fault! I deserve to d-die!"

This thought frightened Mike. He didn't want Lucy to hurt herself, let alone… no. He couldn't stomach it. "Hey! Don't say things like that!"

"It's t-true!" She whimpered.

"It's not true and you know it!" He said firmly. "If it wasn't for you rescuing her egg in the first place, she wouldn't have had the life she did…" Lucy only responded with more tears. "Think of all the good you did for her… all the happy days you gave her… all the love…" Lucy nodded a little and sat up next to Mike.

"Will you… will y-you help me?" She whispered.

"I will." Mike said, looking into her watery blue eyes.

The burial was a private affair. The only one outside of Lucy's family that attended was Mike. In the backyard, he dug the grave, while Lucy looked on tearfully. Jordan elected to hold Yashy's box. After the hole was sufficiently deep enough, he lowered it down, and Mike refilled the hole with the dirt he'd taken out of it. The group stood around, and one by one they gave a few words about Yashy, and words of comfort to Lucy. Once they were finished, they headed inside, barring Lucy, who sat by the grave still crying, and Mike, who refused to leave her side.

Lucy hugged him, burying her face in his blue scarf. Her tears soaked it, but he didn't mind. Mike held her close, letting her spill her emotions out onto him, as he had done so many times before. After some time, and silence between them, Lucy spoke up. "Michael?"

"Mhm?" Mike asked, who was currently looking up at the clouds. He turned his gaze to her.

Lucy swallowed, now struck by his beautiful emerald eyes. "I… There's… something I think Yashy would have wanted me to tell you…"

"What's that?" Mike tilted his head a little.

Lucy went red in the face. She was scared to say it, but she'd suffered such loss that it made it a little easier. She had to say it, for Yashy. "Michael… I love you."

Mike didn't know if it was the grief speaking, or if it was her true feelings. "You… love me?"

Lucy nodded. "I do… I really do… I was just… t-too scared to say it!" She took a deep breath. "But I'm not afraid anymore. Even if you don't feel the same back… I at least had to say it for her…"

Mike smiled at the girl. "It means so much to hear you say that… Lucy, of course I feel the same about you!"

Lucy smiled a little too, the first time she had since the night prior. She scooted closer to Mike and leaned into him. "Thank you… for being here. For not leaving me…"

"I'll always be there for you, Lucy. No matter what." He said, and the two sat together in their embrace, watching the sun go down on the horizon.