Bleach: Memories In The Rain Novels & Stories

--- With new memories. And somewhere between the rain, the flowers, and the silent shelves, a new story had just begun.

“I-I didn’t mean to… It’s your fault for trying to grab it…” Travis burst into tears. “Mom, you’re bleeding…” Justin strode over when he heard the noises. His expression changed instantly when he saw the scene. “What happened?”

ARIA’S POV Rain had always been the trigger for my past memories. I didn’t know why, but every single time it poured like this, my head went straight back to things I tried so hard to forget. Tonight the rain fell harder. It was steady and soaked through my clothes in minutes. The arena was farther away now, but the sounds were still there. The laughter. The screams. My own voice sounding out of the speakers meant for humiliation. I walked without knowing where I was going. My shoes splashed in the puddles. My hair was stuck to my face and neck and I didn’t bother pushing it away. At this point it really didn't matter.

"The lilies that never die aren't real, Kaelen! They have no scent! They have no memory of the rain! A garden without the Ache is just a beautiful grave!" "But you’re hurting, Mama," Kaelen shrieked, his mercury-silver eyes swirling with a frantic, mercury-white static. "I see the white gashes on Dada’s shoulders! I see the violet tears in your eyes! I don't want to be the reason you bleed!"

Still, the blade cutting through her heart was too much right now. Ethan's wilful betrayal and now, this call? Was mother nature against her this badly? Why was all her memories turning darker as the day gets older? She suddenly felt hot, stiff and burning like a newly erupted volcano. The shower. She needed a cold shower. The water was icy, but it was a welcome distraction. Lexi let it wash over her, trying to scrub away the memories, the emotions. She couldn't afford to be weak. Not now. Still, she couldn't stop the tears from mingling with the flowing shower. Was she drenched by the shower or by her tears? Every scream as she let the tears and water wash over her made her tremble.

“Now rise, rotten apple, and let us be rid of you.” Above her, the neon glowed red, the color more sunset than shocking crimson in the rain-slicked sidewalk at her feet. Across the street, the door to Eidolon waited. The rain still fell, the drops so light they no longer pelted the thin plastic tied beneath her chin. And though she held the keys in hand, her home no less than fifty steps away, she stood, lost in a turbulent sea of raging ghosts and regretful memories.

“Uh, I couldn’t tell how tall he was because he was in the chair the whole time. Taller than me, I’m sure. I think I might’ve picked… 28D? No, maybe it was 34P. I can’t remember.” Gale let out a hot breath that resembled her name. “How can you not remember?” “I don’t know. I’ve been through a traumatic experience. It’s hard to recall a lot of the details. I spent most of my time looking at the door, waiting for someone to let me out.” “Ugh, you’re no fun.” Breeze tossed her pillow at Rain, and she laughed, knowing she was joking around. Rain tossed it back to her. “Your one chance to see a naked man with the lights on, and you blew it.”

That’s when something breaks. Not loudly. Not dramatically. Just quietly. I turn around. And I walk out. The rain hits my face before the tears do. I don’t remember leaving the building. I don’t remember the elevator. I just remember running. My heels slip against the pavement. Cars blur past. The red dress clings to me. Heavy. Humiliating. My phone buzzes again. Madison. I don’t look. I can’t. My chest tightens. My vision blurs.

****† RALI Standing at the balcony, watching the rain spill from the sky did something to my mind. The world blurred into silver streaks, and for a moment, my thoughts followed each falling drop like it was a memory being washed out of me. Every splash felt like a replay of my life hitting the ground and shattering. The door opened behind me and that distinct smell hit me; the one that had always belonged to him. Being back at his house had helped strengthen my memories in a lot of ways. The missing pieces were stitching themselves together whether I wanted them to or not.

Shortly after entering the bathroom did I find myself vomiting the little food I had today. God Raine, look at yourself. I stare back at my reflection. My eyes were red, and a bit watery. I have a sting in my chest from all the acid that forced its way out of my body. I splashed water on my face, cleaning myself up, making sure I looked just as good as I did when I came in. I took a deep breath. “You don’t have time to be sick, Raine,” I speak softly, before licking my lips.