This story is a novella-in-progress, written as part of Earnesty Community's "The Survival: Mystery Party 4".

Each writer is tasked with helping his or her team to write prompts for consideration, and then to choose among those voted as the strongest prompts by the judges.

From there, it is a series of tasks, collaborative efforts, and imaginative challenges to take on the challenge of crafting a well-written mystery story. In the end, only one work will stand as the best story and the Survivor of Mystery Party 4.

It is unlikely that this will be one of my strongest pieces, and it may only be up for the duration of the contest. However, I welcome the challenge of writing in a new and different genre with a whole new set of competitors. Unlike many contests and communities, in this one, I am a bit of an underdog. I didn't know a soul when joining the contest and unlike many of my competitors, did not participate in any of the previous parties.

Please, show love and support for this brand new adventure with your reads, votes, comments, and following along on the website for this innovative competition. Regular updates will be made to my feed.

The cover for this work is by the lovely and talented TheTigerWriter.

I could write stories for a lifetime, and this lady and her Magic Fox could still come up with more covers inspiring more stories. She is also a fantastic writer, and one of the first-ever reviewers for "Immortally Beloved".

Thanks also to AbbyRaeChris08! She was also very kind and patient in making me another cover I did not end up using, and collaborating with me on another. She's reopened her cover shop, and although she's new to Wattpad, has a lot of talent. Please stop by to support her!!

For those unfamiliar with classical music, the title of the book is a reference to a short section of the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass. Lacrimosa means "weeping", and seemed a particularly evocative title for a story that is, at heart, one of loss and healing.

The most famous Lacrimosa is part of Mozart's Requiem, and if there is any truth to legends of the past, it was composed while Mozart himself was on his deathbed. It has been featured in countless films, commercials, television shows, and the Requiem itself is still widely performed.

The translation of the Lacrimosa reads:

"Full of tears will be that day
When from the ashes shall rise
The guilty man to be judged.
Therefore, spare him, O God
Merciful Lord,
Grant him eternal rest. Amen."

If you're new to reading my works, you'll find that one of my tricks is that everything is purposeful and carries weight. I don't choose things by accident, not even titles. ;)

Disclaimer: Although this is clearly a religious text, it is the meaning of the words that led me to choose the title, as well as the tragically beautiful story of Mozart's Requiem. Any reference to religious beliefs, deities, cultural practises, etc. are included only to depict a way of life in a fictional town. They do not reflect anything but existing as part of a work of fiction, and should not be taken as any commentary on religious beliefs, practises, deities, or figures that are a part of any organised religion. The person behind the writing always reflects peace, understanding, and acceptance of all beliefs and ways of looking at the world.

There are many other great people participating in Mystery Party 4!

Please check out and support miwacu yemihikari michh_44 WolfeyeWinter5 XerinaFang MickeyandDara AbbyRaeChris08 -saM-ahin!