Lucien sat in the rear seat of the taxi, eyes fixed on Ash at the roadside, drenched by the pouring rain. The car moved slowly past him, tires splashing through puddles.
"Stop the car," Lucien commanded the driver, his voice tight with urgency.
He stepped out of the taxi sped off, calling through the downpour, "Ash! Ash!"
Ash didn't move, sitting on the wet ground, the bicycle lying abandoned beside him, tears mingling with the rain.
Lucien hurried over, kneeling beside him. His voice softened, edged with worry. "Ash...come, I'll take you home."
Ash shook his head, looking up at him, tears still streaming. "I don't want to go home."
Lucien's brow furrowed. "Why not?"
Ash's voice broke as he whispered, "It...it really hurts." Memories of home, of Adrian, pressed painfully on his chest, making the thought unbearable.
Lucien drew him into his arms, holding him tight against the storm. "Okay...I won't take you home," he murmured.
