“Ok, we can’t do this anymore,” Max said, throwing down a box that contained the entirety of Aven’s binge stash.

“I-I’m sorry-” Aven stuttered.

“Don’t be sorry,” she sighed. “C’mon Aven, we’ve talked about this…”

“It’s just… It’s been hard lately…”

“Promise me you’ll find a better way to deal with your problems than this from now on, ok?” Max asked, grabbing a crying Aven’s hands. “I can’t stand to see you in pain anymore.”

“O-ok.” she nodded.

*   *   *   *   *

The next day, Aven was walking to her favorite bakery when she noticed that there was a new shop next door. It had various different guitars in the window and said Afterlife Chords on the glass door.

“Checking it out couldn’t hurt.” Aven thought, walking inside. When she stepped into the shop, a man in black ripped jeans and a t-shirt approached her.

“Is there anything I can help you with?” he asked. “Something specific you’re looking for?”

“No, I’m just…” Aven looked over and saw an acoustic guitar on the wall. It was a plain looking one without any design on it, but something about it spoke to her. “Max did tell me to try and find something.” she thought.

“Can I try that one?” she said, pointing at the guitar.

“Mhm,” the man nodded, taking the guitar off the stand and giving it to her.

“Um… how much would a lesson cost too?”

*   *   *   *   *

Later that night when she got home, she went straight to her room with the instrument. She took a few moments and just stared at it before she got an idea. She took out a pocket knife and engraved in the front of it an ED symbol. She smiled and hugged the instrument closely.