The Rainy City

Chapter 2

"I didn't know, I'm sorry Rainy." Hayden stopped in his tracks, and looked up at Rainy, like a lost puppy. 

"I know. It's not your fault I have mommy issues, and Daddy issues for that matter." Rainy gave him a solemn grin, but kept on walking. Hayden opened his arms, as if to attempt hugging her, but immediately backed away  when he was greeted by a terrified flinch. 

"I want so much to just give you a hug, but I fear for the safety of my balls. So I'm just going to stick with a friendly pat on the back."

"Wise choice." Rainy muttered, skipping ahead but smiling back at him.

"So where exactly are you taking me?" Hayden asked in a sly and tired voice.

"I'm not taking you  anywhere, you just happen to be following me. I happen to be taking myself to a park that I know is somewhere around here, if I could just find it."

"Oh you mean Hovem Meadows? I know where it is. Follow me." Hayden disappeared behind a sharp corner of a looming building just beside them, kicking up dirt as he sprinted. Rainy followed suit behind him, turning the same sharp corner. 

Rainy's heart nearly stopped when the open meadow air quickly disappeared into a tight hug. Her breath becoming ragged and anxious as Hayden stroked her head in an effort to calm the tiny sobs escaping her quivering lips. She gave little effort to try and free herself, but still writhed her body about to give the illusion of not giving up. But she hadn't felt a hug like this in years, it was warm and comfortable, she wouldn't mind if it was her last moment on earth. 

They crumpled into a messy blob on the ground joined with tears, not 100% of them Rainy's. 

"Why are you crying?" Rainy asked, with a giggle, between sobs. 

"You know I hate seeing you cry. I also hate that I wasn't able to protect you. Rainy, do you know what your father is?" Hayden's tone got serious, with a hint of gossipy. 

"What do you mean? He's a human, that much I know for sure, what are you hinting at?" rainy was now on her knees, whipping the mascara and tears from her face. 

"He's a wiccan Rainy, and not the good kind."

"What do you mean?" Hayden let out and exasperated sigh, placed his hands on the side of Rainy's temple, and Rainy knew what to do. She closed her eyes and emptied her mind completely. She was joined again by the beautiful array of new senses, they overcame her ears eyes and skin and a chill went through her body. 

Rainy now floated above a room, the same room she had been in before, with her mother and the many other children her age. She scoured the room for her mother or the little boy that was now a grown Hayden, neither seemed to be present. One man though looked familiar, it was her father, probably a few years ago or so when he still had hair atop his head. An older man around the age of Rainy's father now, approached the podium, his eyes red, like he had been crying for days. 

"I'm sad to inform all of you, but Caroline will not be teaching this class anymore." A series of sad noises rang out about the room before the man continued speaking. "She hasn't been present for the past week or so, as I'm sure all of you have noticed. We are not aware of her whereabouts at this moment and if anyone does have the slightest idea as to where she could be, please inform your local authorities. So for the time being I will be taking her place in the Wiccan studies. I understand we have a new student with us here today, I'm sure you all remember Rainy, Caroline's daughter, well her father is now joining us. Please welcome Seth. Before we get started, Seth do you have any questions about this course?"The older man gestured toward Rainy's father who was sitting in the back row away from the other students. Seth's eyes widened at the sound of his name and the question that followed.