Lacryma

(cont’d from Jonas’ previous June 3rd narration)

Even though I knew he had been followed, I honestly didn’t believe that I would hear the sound of the small gun whirring back to life. “So the little princess wants to avenge the hero?” I asked, turning my head ever-so-slightly.

Ayn stood several feet away, looking a little too symbolic in her wrinkled white dress and her trembling hands gripping the gun. “Get away from him,” she ordered, her voice strong and commanding despite how terrified her body language was.

I straightened my posture without standing up. “Or what? You’d shoot me?” My lips twisted into a smirk.

Without blinking, she jerked her arms down and pulled the trigger.

I flinched, shielding my face with an arm as the gravel at my feet exploded on impact. “Shit!” I swore in surprise. A piece of stone had slashed my hand, and I quickly pressed it against my mouth.

“I said get away from him.” This time she took a few measured steps towards where I crouched beside the body.

With a frown, I held up my hands next to my head and obediently backed away.

She kept the gun trained on me, through her pace increased and her attention shifted away as she got closer.

“Ir’s raining,” she said, holding the curtain aside and studying the ghost-images of raindrops rushing towards the ground. Across the back alley, her neighbor stubbed out a cigarette on the corner of the dumpster as she talked on the phone. The sky directly overhead was a pale grey, though she could see blue lingering a few blocks away.

“Hmm,” he muttered in return, and she wondered when he became so unimpressed with everything. “Are the windows open?”

“A little, yes.”

“Okay.”

She looked back at him over her shoulder. “Do you want me to close them?”

“No need,” he replied, turning the newspaper over in his hands. “It’s August—as long as it isn’t a storm they’re fine.” He looked up when she didn’t reply. “Come sit back down—you’ll catch a cold dressed like that in front of an open window.”

“I want to watch the rain,” she said, tugging the collar of her cardigan closer to her neck with a small frown.

“It won’t last long.” He turned his attention back to the newspaper.

“I know.”

Sure enough, the rain trickled to a stop and the stray drops on the window disappeared. She turned away from the window and sat down at the small kitchen table, picking up her mug of tea and blowing into it. Next time, she hoped it would rain for a little bit longer.

Prep: 20 minutes   
Total: 4 hours 20 minutes (incl. refrigerating)   
Makes 35 servings, one square each

INGREDIENTS
50 Nilla wafers, finale crushed
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1 bag (10 oz) Strawberry Marshmallows (regular marshmallows work as well)
1 pkg (10 oz.) frozen strawberries in syrup, undrained, cut in half
2 pkgs. (8 oz each) Cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 cups thawed Cool Whip whipped topping

MIX wafer crumbs and butter; press firmly onto bottom of a 13x9 inch pan

PLACE marshmallows and frozen berries in large microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 3 minutes, or until marshmallows are puffed, stirring after 2 minutes. Stiry until well blended; set aside. Beat cream cheese and lemon juice in a large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add marshmallow mixture; mix well. Gently stir in whipped topping; pour over crust.

REFRIGERATE 4 hours or until firm. Cut into squares to serve. Store leftover dessert squares in refrigerator.