Summer of Endless Rainfall

A white Pegasus in a white zip-up hoodie was sitting in her chair drinking a cup of cocoa when she heard a knock at the door.

"Who is it," she asked in a soft, sweet voice.

"Atmospheric, we have a situation."

"Harmonic?"

"Yeah.

"Come in."

A weary-looking and disheveled Harmonic opened the door. Next to him was an orange filly. She looked no older than ten years of age.

"Harmonic...What's going on...?"

"We need help."

"...Come inside. I'll get both of you something to drink."

"Thanks..."

Harmonic and Scootaloo had settled in. Atmospheric brought them two cups of cocoa to help keep them warm.

"Start from the beginning."

"I was out for a walk a few hours ago when I found her tucked away in an alley. She was crying in her sleep."

Atmospheric turned to the young child.

"What's your name, sweetheart?"

"Scootaloo."

"Why were you alone?"

"I don't have a home..."

"Oh my god..."

"..."

Atmospheric veered in Harmonic's direction.

"We have to do something."

"She told me she has a few friends. I think we should try talking to them in the morning."

"Good idea."

Atmospheric returned her attention to Scootaloo.

"How are you holding up?"

"I'm a little more tired than usual, but other than that okay, I guess."

"I'm not surprised. You've been through a lot."

"...What about you guys?"

"What do you mean?"

"Harmonic told me about what happened to you guys when you were younger."

"...It was hard, but we made it through somehow. Don't worry about us. We're in a better place now."

"Sounds like something a ghost would say."

"His grim sense of humour is already rubbing off on you."

"Actually, I haven't made any jokes today."

"So that was...From her...?"

Harmonic nodded in response. All traces of optimism left Atmospheric's face.

"Harmonic...You told her our story, but you should tell her about what happened to you."

"No! I swore I would never talk about it after I finished therapy!"

"There's no other choice. We already knew something like this could happen someday."

"...You're right..."

Harmonic motioned for Scootaloo. She sat next to him.

"Sweetie, there's something I need to tell you; something bad."

"What's wrong?"

"A little while before we came here, there was a town not too far away. There was a little girl about the same age as you. She...Was really sad, and nobody knew. She hid it from everyone. Over time, it just got worse."

"...What happened?"

"She hurt herself...And..."

Harmonic started to cry.

"She didn't make it..."

The flow of tears from the stallion's eyes increased.

"I found her only half an hour after she passed away..."

"Harmonic..."

Harmonic was gritting his teeth at this point trying to resist the urge to run outside and fly into an uncontrollable rage.

"I still have nightmares! It plays in my mind over and over, and I just want it to stop! If only I could've done something!"

Scootaloo couldn't take it anymore. She grabbed onto Harmonic's jacket, and the tears began to flow.

Atmospheric couldn't tell how much time had passed, nor did she care. Harmonic and Scootaloo had collapsed in each other's embrace after what seemed like hours of sobbing and weeping. She had thrown a blanket over them once the sad sounds had ceased.

"What did I bear witness to tonight...?"