In that moment, it would have been fitting if rain was falling from the heavens and onto the humble earth. Not because the ground was dry or rain might mean water at the bottom of the deep canyon and a possible lifesaver for the girl who had just fallen. No, it would have been fitting because then maybe Talon wouldn't feel as alone if the whole sky was crying instead of just herself.

However, it was not raining. The night was bright and not a single speck of rain was found on the leaves of the trees. 

So it was not a dark and stormy night. But it was a desolate and despairing one.

The plants around Talon were watered by her tears. Tiny flies circled her head, but she didn't shoo them away like she usually would. She was too preoccupied to notice.

"I abandoned her," she muttered between whimpers. "I didn't support her when I should have, and because of that she jumped off of a fucking cliff." She let out another huge sob, covering her face with her hand. The bugs circled around her head intently, listening to every word. Or maybe it was just her imagination trying to make her feel less alone.

It was funny how isolated she felt, even though she was in a forest full of trees, bugs, and eleven other people. But it was the truth. She felt alone. Desolate. Abandoned. Any other synonym that meant "deserted of people and in a state of bleak and dismal emptiness" a person could think of.

What was she going to tell the others?

Suddenly, it was as if someone had glimpsed into a crystal ball and read her mind, because there was Naya, running towards the distressed girl. Whatever she said was inaudible in Talon's ears, but when she looked up to see her face, she knew it wasn't a joyful thing.

When Talon's hearing came back, she could make out some of the words she was saying. "Talon? What are you doing? Why are you out here?" 

Naya then took a look at Talon's face. She lifted her hand to her face for a second and touched gently, but still staring at Talon. She traced the places where the tears streamed down her cheeks. "Oh no."

"I tried to stop her!" she choked out. "But I was too late!"

"Who?" Naya asked, even though she knew who already.

Talon didn't answer, shaking her head as she squeezed her eyes shut. "Nico's going to take it so hard. I won't be able to bear watching him."

"We can just not tell him? Say she ran away?" Naya suggested.

Talon shot down the idea quickly. "He's fourteen. He's not stupid. Plus, he deserves to know what happened to his sister."

There was a brief moment of silence. Talon hid her head back in her arms. "I can go get them," Naya said quietly.

"Yes please," Talon muttered, keeping her face down, guarding herself from the darkness surrounding.

~~~

Talon was right. Nico didn't take it well. Not even okay. 

"W-What?" He asked, his vocals cords resisting to move.

"Nico, I'm sorry, I-"

"You liar!" He screamed. Naya jumped back. It was louder than he had ever, ever screamed before. "She's not dead! She would never die! She would never go!"

Talon tried to say something, grabbing his hand. "Nico... Sparna-"

He yanked his hand out of hers. "You all are lying to me! Sparna isn't dead! She's... she's looking for food again!"

Talon was crying again. "Nico I saw her jump!"

Nico's voice was so pained, so desperate. It was absolute torture for Talon to hear. "You're wrong! All of you! Wrong!"

The last 'wrong' was the worst. His fourteen year old body was physically incapable of making a sound louder and more powerful than that one. Before that cry, it was believed that that was even impossible.

Then, he was gone. Just like that. He sprinted away so fast that it could be assumed that he had teleported somewhere else.

"Talon, you have to go after him. Nico's not safe on his own," Marisa pointed out. However, Orion interjected, signing-with a translation from Zeke, whom Orion was still trying to avoid-that she was in a time of grieving as well, and her state of mind, combined with her disability, was not fitting to help Nico. 

"I'll go," Ty said. Nobody argued. Even though they had only known each other for about a week, there was no denying that Ty would be the next most suitable person to care for him. They were inseparable.

Once Ty was told where to meet them and left, the ten remaining teenagers stared at each other.

"We need to give her a funeral," Lany said. He had never gotten to know Sparna, but she could easily see the undying love on her face that she had for her brother and practically everyone in the group.

"Like we did for Quinn," Jayed added, squeezing Hedi's hand to as he willed himself not to cry.

All of the kids passed around ideas ranging from "There has to be blue. Blue was her favorite" and "We should sign Liam and Karimah Leya's names in the dirt with her." Even Dylan gave a few suggestions of his own.

They had already had two funerals. They had hoped and prayed that they weren't going to have another. But they were. 

And they were going to make it special.

Once most of the group was distracted with picking out leaves, Zeke bit his lip, slowly creeping towards Orion, who did his very best not to make eye contact. 

"Orion, I need to talk to you," Zeke said, grabbing his wrist as he pulled him over.

Can't it wait?  He asked irritated. We're kind of planning a memorial here.

"Nope. Can't wait. I don't want to miss my chance to have a talk with you. I would never forgive myself."

Orion wanted to say no. Zeke had really hurt him. Broke his heart, even. Why should he speak to him?

But... he had a point. He didn't want to die hating Zeke.

It was time to let it out.

Zeke opened his mouth to start talking. "Orion-"

I'm sorry, Orion signed sadly. He had apologized over and over but it never felt enough.

"No, I'm sorry," Zeke corrected. "You shouldn't apologize. All the years I've been blind to everything... it must have been torture."

Orion nodded a bit. But I shouldn't have ignored you. I was childish and stupid. You can't control who you like. I'll just have to accept that.

Zeke looked down for a moment. "Rion, I hope you realize that even though I might not want to date you or anything, you mean more to me than any girl ever has."

Orion's eyes lit up with hope. Really?

"Yep. I mean, pals before gals, am I right?"

I don't think I'll have a problem with that.

Zeke chuckled. "I think it's better that we're just friends, aye? No drama."

Besides this.

He laughed, smiling a ginormous smile, one he had been lacking for a long time. Orion loved that smile. "Yep, Rion. Except this."

There he was. Zeke Blaze, the boy Orion had fallen in love with, and would a hundred times more, even if he never fell for him in return. Because Zeke did love him. Maybe it wasn't the same as what Orion felt for him, but it was something. And it meant the absolute world to him.

And the two boys smiled at each other, because even though that night was tragic and heartbreaking, it was still light in the sky.

***

A/N

Whoa I'm proud of this chapter

I think my writing is really improving

Sorry it was short but I really wanted to end it happily. I swear the next chapter will be longer to make up for this one

Also, speaking of chapters, I think there are about five or six left! I am thinking about editing this book soon, but the BIG edits won't be until a while away :)

-Puffin