They say rain washed away all worries.

For many, the rain was a source of hope. The rhythmic sounds of steady rainfall may calm the mind during a warm summer day. They can also be peaceful and inspiring.

But for some, standing in the rain was a way to hide their tears. When getting rained on and crying looked the same, how could anyone notice the pain?

They couldn’t.

And that was the point.

***

Lennox

“Today marks day three of record-breaking rainfall in southern Indiana. It will be heavy throughout the week. Please take caution when going outside. A tornado funnel was spotted in Montgomery County, Ohio at 6:30 A.M. on April 29th. It did not touch ground bu—”

CLICK.

Lennox jabbed the button to turn off the radio. The music station he was listening to had become nothing but deadpan-voiced weather reports about the storm raging outside. It was annoying because his favorite song had been playing, too!

He kept a firm grip on the steering wheel and leaned forward to see through the rain-splattered windshield. He peered at the dark morning sky. The wipers were swishing wildly to clear off the hammering water, so it was difficult to view the clouds.

Come on, it’s not that bad. Barely even sprinkling! On cue, a semi-truck on the opposite side of the road passed him, splashing a tsunami of water over his small vehicle. Okay, maybe it’s raining kinda hard just a teeny bit.

People couldn’t just stay home because of a little rain, though. Life had to go on. Sometimes, a storm couldn’t stop them from doing what they needed to do. This was one of those instances that required an emergency trip to the store.

“Are you okay driving?” Timber asked from the Bluetooth system. He was Lennox’s alpha and bonded mate.

“Can you say that again? The rain is so loud.”

“I said, are you okay driving? Really, I feel fine. Just come home. Think of it as an early birthday present.”

“‘Fine,’ my ass! Love, you have a high-grade fever, and the clinics have been closed since Saturday. I think your rut cycle is beginning early, and we don’t have any suppressants. I would feel better if we had medicine even if it’s merely the cheap over-the-counter stuff. Besides, I already have a special present planned for you on Monday, birthday boy.”

If Timber had been there, he'd have seen Lennox wiggle his eyebrows seductively.

Timber sighed. “And I’d feel better knowing you were home safe with me. It’s dangerous to be outside. Honestly, I am peeved you snuck out while I was in the shower.”

“You would have stopped me.” Lennox smirked. “That’s why we are talking on speaker, aren’t we? So you can make sure I’m fine on my grueling journey through the ‘record-breaking rainfall of southern Indiana’? Besides, is that really why you want me to turn this car around and go home? To be safe?”

“Well… of course. I… also want you to give me your pheromones.”

Up ahead, Lennox saw a white SUV Super Duty truck speeding down the other lane, which had begun to flood. He paid no attention to it. Some people liked to be daredevils to feed their Type T personalities. The truck raced closer.

Lennox replied, “See? I was correct. You don’t normally ask for that unless I offer first, Timber Chae. An omega’s intuition is never wrong when it comes to their mate. You are entering your rut early. I’m not far from the drugstore. I promise to be home in thirty minutes, and I will give you all the sunshine honey pheromones you wan—AH!”

The SUV zooming over the flooded pavement suddenly lost control. The person tried to brake hard—a big no-no in Driver’s Education 101. When the truck tires locked, the SUV drifted over the deep puddles and swerved over to the right lane.

The headlights blinded Lennox. He tried to avoid colliding by turning quickly into the ditch, but the much larger vehicle T-boned him before he could get out of the way. Since they had tinted windows, their identity and expression were unknown.

SLAM.

“OOF!” Upon impact, the wind was knocked out of Lennox. Glass shattered everywhere. He did not know the sort of damage his body just took. It hurt everywhere. Spots dotted his vision. He felt like he was choking on the liquid rising inside.

Everything happened so fast. Lennox had no time to think or react. The SUV kept pushing into him, since it could not stop. Black skid marks stained the rural highway. Both vehicles slid off the road and into the forest.

The last thing Lennox saw was the line of tall elm trees to his right.

“Timb—!”

CRASH.

The rain kept falling.

SHAAAA.

A voice kept cutting out as it yelled frantically from the smashed speaker. “Lenn—? Hey! Wh— happened?!”

The SUV was not as damaged as the tiny car it had crashed into. It reversed despite its engine smoking. Blood, which was not the driver’s, dripped on the grill. The red color contrasted against the white paint and silver grill. It sped off in a panic with loud, creaking sounds a vehicle should not be making. Tires squealed in the distance until they couldn’t be heard anymore.

SHAAAA.

“Lennox? Le—! Ple— say some—ng! Please!”

There was no response. All Timber could hear was the sound of rain plopping on the wreckage. Thunder boomed above.

SHAAAA.

Storms didn’t let up for anyone—not even for the dead.