A Storm is Brewing Solo

Interacting with: N/A Mentioning: N/A Date: January 2026

Word Count: 958

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Why in life were there no happy endings? Why did everything have to end badly? Why in all of his years of life did everything he tried to do go wrong? These questions and many more flowed through Dylan's mind as he lay there on the grounds of Ilvermony staring up at the sky. It was a cold January day, but Dylan didn't notice the cold. No. The cold was the least of his worries. His mind was plagued with thoughts well beyond his years. He guessed that was what happened to a thirteen year old that had seen more hardship than the average adult. His grandfather was dying. He knew that just by looking at the man. That was what hurt the most. All Dylan could do was watch as his grandfather fell apart before his eyes. How much longer did he have left? Weeks? Months? Days? Dylan's eyebrows furrowed. Here he was across the world at Ilvermony instead of at home in Swansea, Wales, where he could be with his grandfather in his last moments of life. Of course everything had to go wrong the second he had to return to a place where he didn't even feel like he belonged. Though there was only one person that helped him tolerate life was Summer, and even with her things felt off. Ever since their dance at the ball, Dylan didn't know how to act around his best friend. It was as if there was tension between them without either knowing why. At least, Dylan didn't understand it. Every time he saw her and looked into her bright blue eyes he felt a fluttering in his chest he had never felt before. What was happening to him? He couldn't lose Summer's friendship. Not when he was about to lose his grandfather. Dylan shut his eyes. He attempted to make himself believe that if he closed out the world that all of his problems would disappear, but he was smarter than that. They would only disappear for a moment, and when he opened his eyes again? Well, the darkness would come back and cloud his senses to a point where even the light couldn't shine through. An owl flew across the grounds and landed close to Dylan. He heard it land with a slight thud as if it had been traveling a long distance and was exhausted. He opened his eyes and turned his head to find his uncle's owl standing before him. A letter in her beak. Dylan knew the owl technically belonged to his aunt, but ever since she had disappeared into her work, the owl had been taken care of by Dylan's uncle, Arthur Gray. The only question that stood in Dylan's mind was why. Why had his uncle sent a letter? Had something happened? Dylan gently took the letter from the owl and watched as she flew away. She was probably heading towards his parents' house to grab a quick snack before she made the long journey back to her home in Swansea, Wales. An ocean away from where he currently resided in New York City. Now there was nothing stopping Dylan from reading the letter. A letter that he dreaded opening. If anything, it was the news he had been dreading that his grandfather had died. That alone would rip Dylan into a million pieces. There would be no going back to who he once was. He opened the letter and let it all go. He had to know the truth. Dylan, I hope this letter finds you and your parents well. I also know that you are wondering the reason as to why I sent this letter. That reason is a long and complicated one, so I will do my best to keep it short. The reason I am sending this letter concerns your grandfather. As you already know, he has been weakened greatly from his sickness. Your grandmother and I have done our best to keep him up to date with appointments, but every day he grows weaker. I know this is not the news you want to hear, but I must not hide the truth from you or Avery any longer. You two are old enough to know the truth to its fullest. Even if it means you face great suffering. I must go now. Stay strong. Sincerely, Uncle Arthur The letter fell from Dylan's hands. The news was terrible. Life-changing. His gut feeling had been right. His grandfather was dying. Nothing his family was doing was helping. Dylan was torn. All he wanted was to go and see his grandfather, but he knew that wouldn't be possible until Easter. He wouldn't even get the chance to say goodbye if his grandfather didn't last at least two more months. Tears welled in Dylan's eyes and he shut them tightly again. Gripping the letter he had dropped tightly in his hand. He could hear it crumpling in his grasp, but he didn't care. There was nothing left of the world. How was Avery so strong? How had she managed to survive without falling apart? She had been so close all this time yet so far away. At least Dylan still had contact for all those years. All those years Avery had lost. All those memories were gone in a blink. His were too. All thanks to the mistakes of his aunt that buried herself in work to cover them. Dylan stood and wiped the tears that hadn't fallen from his eyes. He had to get away from everything and bury himself. He couldn't stop and think about everything. It was all too hard. Too much weight for one person to bear alone in a world where suffering triumphed above all.

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