THREE YEARS LATER:

The small plate of metal sticking up from the ground put a lump in Leo's throat. Alex wouldn't have wanted such a boring tombstone. She would have wanted to go out with a bang. He gave a small chuckle at the insanity of his thoughts. He'd known her for a day and here he was, criticizing the tomb she allegedly lay underneath. Her body had never been found, and none were sure of her fate. He'd brought flashing mechanical flowers to brighten up the sad sight, but it only worsened his relentless guilt.

The horrible memories of that fateful day still haunted him, but what else could he do? He sat down as he had many times before before her pathetic grave with bright flashing flowers seated before him. Lilies are what he had modeled them from. He'd remembered from some know-it-all in the Demeter cabin that Lilies meant "I dare you to love me".

A light voice broke his pained silence, "Leo?"