Akari flinched as Kathy's arms wrapped around her waist, the icy rain slipping through her clothes like needles. She touched the bruise on her cheek but couldn't tell if the wetness on her face was tears or just more rain. She stood outside the Blacksmith's shop, rooted in place.

"Akari, what happened? Please," Kathy whispered, her voice gentle as she rubbed slow circles on Akari's back.

Akari stared past her and watched the blurry outlines of the village beyond the rain. She couldn't say it. She couldn't tell her that Owen—*her* Owen—had done this. He was her best friend and saying it out loud would crush her.

"I-it's nothing," she insisted. "Just a misunderstanding."

Kathy's eyes began to water. Akari had never seen her cry before, not like this. Even after that horse accident when she was laid up for weeks, Kathy had smiled through it. But now, there were no smiles—just the quiet drip of rain around them. Akari was almost relieved; she wasn't sure she could handle one of Kathy's pep talks.

Kathy took her hand, leading her under the shelter of Garmon Mine's entrance. They stood there, listening to the steady patter of water dripping from the cave.

"He was drinking again, wasn't he?" Kathy's voice was barely audible.

Before Akari could answer, Owen's voice cut through the air. A flashback from a few minutes earlier.

"Hey, babe!" He waved, whiskey bottle in hand, sloshing brown liquid as he jogged towards her. Akari winced, realizing that he was clearly drunk again. She hated this version of him. Time spent with him sober was getting rarer by the day. He looked worse than usual. His face was flushed, eyes bloodshot, brown hair frazzled. She argued with him about his drinking habits more than she could count and threatened to break up with him after every slip-up. But he always knew exactly what to say to mold her like putty and each time she would forgive him. She flashed him a weak smile.

"Hey, beautiful." His breath hit her, whiskey-laced, and he pulled her close, his arm heavy around her waist. The weight of him made her squirm.

"Hi," she squeaked while attempting to pull away. Her eyes darted around the empty district, searching for someone, anyone, to help. But the streets were deserted. Safe inside from the storm, the villagers couldn't see her. Couldn't see them.

"Let's get out of here," Owen slurred. "Uncle Ramsey and Chloe are gone…"

Akari wiggled herself from his grasp and stepped back. Owen was usually friendly and outgoing, but in his current state, he was sensual and aggressive. She never knew if she would stumble upon his warm smile or his cold and lustful dark eyes. "Owen, you're not thinking straight…"

"Yeah, I am!" His grip tightened on her arm as he yanked her towards him. She stumbled forward, trying to pull free, her voice pleading. "Stop, Owen!"

He let go, and she fell, landing hard in the mud. Her hands stung as they hit the cold ground.

"What's your problem, Akari?" His shout echoed in the rain.

She pushed herself up, clumps of mud sliding from her clothes and skin. "You're the problem!" The words burst out of her before she could stop them. "I can't live like this anymore. I—"

SMACK.

The world spun, and she hit the ground again. For a long time, she just sat there. Her mind couldn't register what had just happened. Finally, she stared up at him. His hand was still raised as his shoulders heaved with each. labored breath.

She wanted him to apologize. She wanted him to pick her up, hold her, promise he'd never hurt her again. But he just turned and walked away, disappearing into the rain.

"Akari?"

Kathy's voice yanked her back to the present. Akari's throat tightened as she fought back the tears. She didn't want to look pathetic in front of her friend. Too late, she thought. She remembered the question Kathy had asked her and whispered her answer, "Yes."

Kathy shot up to her feet. "I'm going to kill him."

"Kathy, no!" Akari grabbed her hand. "Just… just forget about it."

But Kathy wasn't listening. She pulled Akari over to a cracked mirror outside one of the shops. Akari averted her eyes as soon as Kathy planted her in front of it. "Look at yourself," she said.

"Kathy…"

"Look!" She persisted. ""Look at it and tell me if I'm going to forget about it."

Akari reluctantly glanced at her reflection. Her cheek was swollen, a deep red bruise marring her skin. The raindrops on her face made the pain flare even more. She hadn't felt it this much until now. She felt like collapsing—it was all too much.

"I just want to go home," Akari muttered.

"Let me walk you."

"No… I just need to be alone."

Without another word, she turned and started down the road. The rain poured harder, but she barely noticed it anymore. Soaked, cold, and alone, she kept walking.