Alvin was still in a bit of a fog, grief and an overwhelming sense of guilt that weighed on him, pressing down, making everything slow and hazy. She had begged him to take her out to practice with the new broom. She had said she was going with or without him and there was no arguing with her when her hands were on her hips and her hair was flaring orange.

He'd setup an easel by the lake, painting while she'd raced around, up and down along the shore over what had been a glassy surface to the lake, no doubt teasing the squid as she would dip her fingers into the cold water. The skies had changed, he'd seen the clouds darken, had called out to her to come back as he'd hurried to pack up his things. She hadn't been able to hear him over the first roar of thunder, but she had figured it out anyway, but she'd wandered too far, near the far side and that's when it happened. One minute she was racing back across the waves and the next the lightning struck. In one quick flash his baby sister was struck from the sky, her small form plummeting toward the churning waters. The rain had started coming down in sheets and he'd lost sight of her as soon as she'd hit. Alvin had tried to wade into the water, but he'd only made it a few yards out before he'd nearly been swallowed himself. It took more effort than it should have to even get back to shore.

He could feel the cold of the water even now, wondering if he'd ever be able to shake the sensation. That and the guilt that ate at him hour after hour. He'd gone through the motions, but even Lottie's visit hadn't been able to get much out of him. Everything seemed to lack color or cheer and the black of his suit had never felt more appropriate.

The mood of the service was fitting and Alvin would know Sloane at least would be pleased at the amount of people she had considered close friends. She'd always had a good little crowd around her, but he supposed he hadn't actually realized just how many friends she'd amassed over the years. Alvin hung near the back, unsure how to handle all of the grief around him. It was hard to accept that they were putting a gravestone where she wouldn't be, but he didn't know what else to think. He'd seen her go in and not come out, hadn't been able to get to her. There was on way she'd washed up somewhere else. She was simply gone..

Alvin looked skyward, blinking back the tears when he felt somebody settle next to him. He took a deep breath and looked down to find Miss Zinnia hovering next to him. "Thank you for coming," It was a hoarse whisper, his default phrase for the day, unable to come up with anything better.