Rain Shall Fall

Chapter 5

Another day at school. Annie pushed off the urge to bully as it was a few days after Mina's death anniversary. A year has already passed, but she still mourned her death.

If only we can bring back the dead.

She was shaken from her thoughts,"Hey, Ms Zoe is asking for someone to join the theater performance. Wanna join? I am." It was Bertholdt asking. "Maybe."

"Ms Zoe! Annie's joining!"

Annie was stunned at Bertholdt's words. She wanted to protest but no voice came out.

"Oh! You're finally participating in something!" Ms Zoe said enthusiastically. She groaned quietly. "So, please do complete your science homework." She smiled before leaving class.

Annie was prepared to leave when Armin grabbed my arm,"See me at the courtyard after school." Before she made my reply he left with Eren and Mikasa.

Lessons was as boring as usual. Literature was at the end. After school, she told Bertholdt and Reiner to eat out for today. "I have some important matters." She said when they asked why.

They left, and Annie head to the courtyard. Armin was already there, sitting on a bench reading a book she wouldn't even touch.

He looked up, noticing her presence,"I didn't think you'll come." "But I did."

He closed his book and placed it next to him,"I asked you to come so I could ask you something. I just couldn't leave it."

"What is it?"

"Why do you bully?"

Annie remained calm. "Let me tell you a story." She walked and stopped in front of him.

"There was once a lonely princess. She had no siblings and no friends. Soon that loneliness turned into hatred. She started bullying the common children. Nobody could hurt her, as she was pampered by her royal parents. All the children hated her.

"Soon a young girl with black hair moved into that kingdom. She was an orphan, but her kindness and smile put all at ease. The Princess bullied her as well, but that young girl didn't hate her. Instead, she insisted on being friends with the Princess.

"They both became close friends. The Princess stopped bullying. But she never smiled. Using the orphan, the ones who hated the Princess hurt her. She was then injured at her left eye. From that day on, her blonde hair covered her left eye.

"The two grew together, and the orphan was decreed as a royal librarian, requested by the Princess and knew she loved books.

"But months later, there was a fire at the castle. The Princess rushed to the library. She found her friend under a rubble of stones and wood. She pulled her out and carried her outside. But it was too late. The orphan died. Blood covered half her face to her neck and all over her frail body.

"The cold hearted princess cried right there. It rained as her tears fell on the orphan. Every time she had time, she would visit her friend's grave. But every time she cried, it will rain. Soon her words at the grave was,'Rain shall fall.'

"The princess continued bullying. She even hired two young boys to be her servants. And until now, she was hated and feared by all her peers except the two boys."

Annie ended as her throat croaked. She tried to stop her tears from falling,"That is all I'll tell you. Goodbye." And she left quickly, leaving Armin with more questions.

She was back home quickly, considering she had ran all the way. She cried out her tears. That story was her story and Mina's. She remembered everything after telling that story to Armin.

From the time Mina came to the time of her death. The real story behind her fairytale replayed back. To her death.

Fire. There was fire everywhere. I ran out of the class before anybody else, ignoring the teacher's instructions. At this time Mina would be at the library right? She was always there early for her duties.

Fire crackled around me as I found my way to the library. While thinking about her, my body moved by itself, helped by the constant memory of going there so many times I couldn't count.

She was there, alright. But she was cold when I reached her. I felt her pulse quickly, but she was barely alive. I pulled her out from the debris, as I put all my strength into my arms.

I carried her in my arms, and ran to the entrance. I ignored when I nearly tripped. I just had to bring Mina to safety. Fire burned my arm when I accidentally brushed against a wall.

I was at the front of the school, seeing all my schoolmates gossiping. When finally it was cool, I placed her on the ground. I tried to find her pulse, but I couldn't. I felt her skin, it was cold. The warmth have left her.

Then it hit me, she was already dead. The blood on her body dried as I cried. I kept shouting,"Mina! Please don't leave me! Please!" All around huddled, whispering to each other.

Don't they care about her!? It's obvious they weren't! My tears flowed down my cheeks as it fell on her body. Rain started to fall. At first a drizzle then heavy. The rain helped the firemen put out the fire.

I shouted like a madwoman as the police pulled me away from Mina's body. I tried to reach for her, but I couldn't.

I never attended her funeral. But everyday I was at her grave, sitting for hours as I cried and the rain hit my face. I wasn't bothered by the rain after some time.

Annie didn't realized that there was a loud knock on her door. Reiner's head poked in,"Hey, we're back. Do you need an-" He saw her tear stained face and ran to her side,"Are you okay?" She nodded. "Mina again, right?" Another nod.

"Well, take your time. Talk to us if you need anything." He stood up and went out after glancing at her.

Annie looked down, Mina. What could I do to see you again?

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Armin sat at home thinking about Annie's story as Eren drone on. "Hey, Armin? Are you listening?" Eren's voice shook him out of his thinking,"What? You were saying?"

"Ugh, you weren't right?" Armin stayed quiet. "Come here. What is it that's bothering you?" Eren asked. Armin sighed,"I don't know. Annie told me a story but I don't exactly understand." He ruffled his own hair while looking down.

"What story?" Armin repeated Annie's story from heart. When he ended, Eren said,"Mina." "Pardon?"

"Annie's friend. She was at Mina's grave remember? Mina's dead. And Annie blames herself for not saving her earlier. But history has already been written. She cannot bring Mina back."

"Blames herself..." Armin repeated.

Annie, why would be it your fault? It's destined already.