During rainfall

Big thanks to Dumboy100, Candylou, max2013 and MargaretA66 for your reviews on the last chapter! It's greatly appreciated. I forgot to do so at the start, but I'd like to give a little heads-up: This story will include some references to sexual content, as well as language. If you are sensitive to any of those, please consider yourself warned. Now, onto the story!

7 years earlier, John F. Kennedy international airport, New York.

"I think he's coming round again."

A blur of colours, noise and voices seeped into Frank's consciousness. He felt a wet cloth touch his forehead. A pair of eyes, brown and kind-looking, peered at him from above.

"Sir? Sir, can you hear me?"

Frank tried to nod, but found he could not. There was no pain, but a feeling as though he was swept in cotton.

"I know this might be scary, but we'll be here for you all the way. You've hurt your neck." Although he couldn't speak, the nurse saw he could hear her. "The doctors have seen to it already," she continued, "and they say you'll be alright. Till then you're in good hands, so don't worry. Try to relax."

Overwhelmed by tiredness, Frank wanted nothing more than to sleep. Yet, there was a nagging in the back of his mind, a voice telling him there was something not right, something terrible…

Soon, his eyes fell shut.

When he woke again, it was to the sound of an engine. He tried to look around, but there was something around his neck, restraining him. The numbness from earlier seemed to have lessened. Instead, there was a feeling of fleeting pain. From what, exactly, he could not pinpoint.

"Good morning!" The brown eyes from before made their way into his field of vision. "How are you feeling?"

"Where am I?" Frank croaked.

"We're at a plane. We're gonna get you to a hospital, dear." She smiled at him. Despite his confusion, Frank thought there was something pitying to it.

"What happened?" he asked. "Why can't I remember anything?" Although he wracked his brain for an answer, the only result it gave him was a headache. Bad guys maybe? Kidnapping?

With a start, Frank realized Joe was not there. If he was in trouble, there was no way in hell his little brother wasn't neck-deep in it too. "Joe? Where is Joe?"

"Shh, don't stress yourself." The woman laid a hand reassuringly on his shoulder. "I am sure Joe is alright. Why don't you tell me what you remember?"

Frank frowned. "I don't remember anything," he said. "Wait. We were in Hawaii. Cause I graduated. The mall… we were there, and Joe… he left, that was the last I saw of him. And then a bang, I can't remember what was after. What the hell happened? What happened to them? Joe? My parents?"

Seeing Frank try to raise himself from his seat, the nurse plunged a syringe into his neck. A pleasurable feeling of warmth instantly spread through his body, his limbs once again turning heavy. "I am sorry," she said, "but if you move, you're gonna do yourself harm. I don't know where your family is, but I am sure we will find them. There was a terrorist attack at the mall you went to. That's all we know so far. Don't worry, it's all gonna be alright. I am right here."

Completely at the mercy of the drugs he'd been given, Frank drifted into unconsciousness. He dreamt, and in his dream, he saw three coffins, each with their own inscription: "Beloved Mum", "Beloved dad", "Beloved brother".

Present day, The Leopold Bar, London

"Oh my god!" Lucia opened her arms wide, face beaming. "Look Cassie! It's Dan!"

Turning in the direction her friend was pointing, Cassie saw a tall, dark-haired man approach. "I don't know him," she whispered, "who is it?"

"Oh my god!" Lucia repeated, hugging the newcomer, "I can't believe it's you! We need to drink to this." Dan smiled awkwardly, offering a smile in the general direction of Cassie.

"It's Dan", Lucia whispered loudly, repeating herself. "It was him who introduced me to Frank."

Dan nodded, face flushed. "That's some years ago now."

At the mention of Frank, Cassie's interest was picked; she had never been able to understand her friend's fiancé. "Oh?" she asked, swirling a finger through her braids. "How did you know him?"

"Uh, well," Dan began, flustered, "we went to school together. Both lawyers. Lucia was sister of yet another friend, so yeah… I don't remember exactly, I guess there was some common event we met at. Wasn't it, Lucia?"

Throwing her head back, Lucia laughed uncontrollably. "You're so funny, Dan," she gasped, "oh my god, I had forgotten how funny you are." Her earrings swung from side to side, while teeth shone in the bluish light.

Dan wrenched a gurgling laughter from his throat. "Well thanks," he said, "but anyway… I should go. Thanks for the catchup." Turning on his heels, he went for the exit in quick strides.

"Cassie!" Lucia grabbed her by the shoulder. "Please Cassie, you must wait for me here." She ran off, as quickly as her heels and drunken condition would allow. Despite her best efforts, it was evident that Dan would reach the entrance before her. Stopping, she raised her voice to a scream. "Dan! Dan, don't leave!"

For a moment, the crowd silenced, watching the man turn, clearly embarrassed. "Lucia", he whispered, casting a sideway glance at the spectators, "please, don't make a scene. Not here. Let's go for a walk." Giving a nod, Lucia stretched her arm out, forcing him to take it.

Outside, a drizzle mixed with the cold night-air. The lights from the lampposts drew reflections on the wet sidewalk. Lucia shivered.

"Didn't you bring a jacket?" Dan asked, seeing goosebumps form on her bare skin.

"Inside", Lucia answered. "Never mind that."

"Well, what do you want then?" Exasperation was written in his face. Lucia offered no answer. He felt her tug at his arm, forcing him to walk a block further. She stopped by an alleyway, releasing his arm.

"I want," Lucia said, "you." She stood close to him, so close she had to tip her head back to meet his eyes.

"What the hell are you talking about?"

Her lips parted, eyes widening. They were glazed, darker than usual. "I want," she repeated, drawing out the pause. "I want you to take me."

"What the fuck Lucia." Dan shook his head, a grimace of disbelief forming on his face. "Right here?"

"Yes. Yes, Dan." Her dress, red and backless, were coloured a shade darker by the rain. Her lips were turning blue beneath the lipstick.

"Fucking hell, you're so cheap. No, don't touch me. Let me go. I want nothing more to do with you. You've got your prince Charming already."

Lucia threw her arms around him, burying her face in his jacket. "Dan please, you know how weak he is. Why aren't I good enough for you anymore? What's wrong with me, Dan, tell me so I can change."

Dan scoffed, forcefully removing her arms. "Maybe if you weren't so damn desperate. Go home to your Frankie boy, he'll love you. I told you I am done."

His steps were long, quick, hard. Hammering against the pavement. She did nothing to stop him. Weighed down by the rain, her hair lay flat against her face. Down her bare back, ran trails of water.