When the Rain Falls Silent

Chapter 3

"Don't look back. Keep running!" Jules shouted. I ran faster than I'd ever thought possible. A slimy tentacle wrapped around my torso.

"JULIANNA!" I screamed.

Jules whipped her head around, her gaze darting for something to use. She grabbed a butcher knife from the counter.

"Let her go!" she yelled, slashing at the tentacle. It retracted, letting out a bloodcurdling screech.

"Run!" I shouted as we sprinted toward my room to hide.

We were almost there, but suddenly Jules's breathing hitched. I turned to see her frozen, her eyes wide.

"Jules—" I whispered, horrified. The butcher knife was lodged in her abdomen, the creature's tentacle pulling it out, leaving her bleeding.

"No," I breathed, my heart plummeting as she collapsed.

"Please, you can't leave me," I begged, fighting tears.

"I... I won't heal this time," she whispered. "I don't have much time." Her voice was so faint.

"No, no, you're going to be okay," I insisted, lifting her and carrying her to the couch.

"Evangeline," she whispered. "I lied to you... all these years. There's a way to stop this. Go to Ironhaven and—" Her eyes fluttered shut.

"No, please. Please wake up. JULES!" I cried.

The monster stomped closer, but I didn't care. I held her close, screaming and sobbing. She was gone—the one person who mattered more to me than anything.

I was alone.

I didn't even notice when the front door opened until I heard a soft, familiar voice.

"Evie," Juniper's voice trembled, her own tears streaking her face.

"She's gone," I choked out, and Juniper wrapped me in her arms as I sobbed.

I sat there, numb in Juniper's arms. Some people from the city came by to take Jules away and begin patching up the house. Everyone knew how much she meant—not just to me, but to the whole city. She'd earned their respect, and they gave her a proper burial. I still couldn't fully process it.

Then my mind drifted back to her last words. "Ironhaven," I whispered.

"Did you say something, Eve?"

"Before she died, Jules told me there was a way to stop the rain. She mentioned a place called Ironhaven, but... she didn't get to finish," I explained.

Juniper's face grew serious. "Your sister wouldn't have told you that if it wasn't important. There has to be someone who knows more about it."

"We?"

"Yes, we. I'm coming with you—I'm not letting you go alone," she insisted.

"Thanks, Juni." I managed a small smile. A light suddenly went on in her eyes. "Wait—my father's a historian. I bet he knows something about Ironhaven and how to get there."

"Then we know where to start."

Juniper stood and held her hand out to me. "Let's go now. I'm sure staying here is the last thing you want to do."

She was right. If I stayed here much longer, I'd break. "Alright, let's go," I said, taking her hand.

"Hold on tight!" she said, her wings fluttering as she lifted us into the air.

I hadn't been to Celestria in years, but God, I'd missed it. There was always something ethereal about it. Juniper set us down gently in front of her house and opened the door.

"Mom, Dad, I'm home—and I brought a guest," she called out. Her parents, Ryder and Willow Everglow, entered the room, their faces lighting up when they saw me.

"Oh, Evangeline, we're so happy to see you. We heard about your sister... We're so sorry," Mrs. Everglow said, pulling me into a hug.

"Thank you, Mrs. Everglow," I murmured, holding her tightly.

"Dad," Juniper began, turning to her father, "we need your help with something."

"Of course, anything for you two," he replied. "Let's talk in my office."

"What's going on?" Mr. Everglow asked once we were settled.

I took a deep breath. "We need information about Ironhaven. Jules said something there could stop the rain attacks... before she died. As a historian, we're hoping you might know something."

He exhaled slowly. "Ironhaven... I've read about that place. It's the kingdom of shadows, ruled by King Cassius—a cruel, ruthless ruler. It's no surprise that the attacks and King Cassius might be connected."

"So, how do we get there?" Juniper asked.

Mr. Everglow's expression turned grave. "If you're set on going, Ironhaven is three cities away. First, you must go to Emberfall, the city of dragons. Then, Frosthold, the city of ice. And finally, Novaria, the city of sirens. Only after passing through them will you reach Ironhaven."

"We should leave quickly," I insisted.

"I agree. We'll gather supplies in case anything happens. You can spend the night here, and we'll set off in the morning," Juniper said, taking my hands in hers.

"Sounds like a plan," I said as we left Mr. Everglow's office.

"Evie," Juniper called softly as I turned to leave. "Jules would be proud of you," she said with a gentle smile.

I returned her smile, feeling a flicker of hope. And then I walked out, ready for what lay ahead.