Release. [Open]

It had been six months to the day, she had been keeping track, subconsciously, in the back of her mind. Some part of her wanted to remember, and so forever engraved the image in her mind. She wanted to resist the coming flashbacks, but at the same time, she didn't want to forget. With what little will she did have, Karis lied in her bed, staring at the ceiling in deep though. Her stare was distant, obviously seeing far past the black walls, and focusing on something more.

She could see the bodies being carried back to the village, wrapped in whatever scraps there, and loved ones clinging to what was left. All was cold, and gray. Muffled tears could be heard from every direction, as began continued mourning their losses. And there she stood, still as stone, and seemingly just as unwavered. Not a single tear ran down her cheek, not a single whimper escaped her mouth, despite how much she really wanted to cry out. She just stood there, blank. Everyone else had a body to remember, an everlasting image. However, in Karis' case, her loved one hadn't returned. At this moment, she was only half convinced that her brother was dead. And in a strange way to look at things, she was grateful that the last image she had of her brother wasn't one these people around her had to witness. His face was still fresh to memory, always warm and smiling. She wouldn't give up that image for the world, that was how she wanted to remember him...

To her surprise, she realized how much she had changed within just six months. Had she matured? She could definitely see the significant change in the way she thought about things, and processed others. However, she couldn't help but wonder if she had really thought like this all along, and this piece of her was simply tucked away for safe keeping, only revealing itself when she needed it most. Was she numb? No, not exactly. If anything, she was thinking clearly now. She was able to take herself apart piece by piece, and put herself together by memory of who she had been. This was how she kept her guardians from worrying, making them think that she hadn't changed, but was the same innocent little girl they knew years ago. In all honestly, this was partially true, and she was certainly still a child. For the moment, she didn't mind, though. Had she accepted herself? Yes. That was what she would leave it at, acceptance.

She blinked, her mind wandering from her trance. Now, that she was no longer broken, and had managed to piece herself together once more, she was sure she was stronger. Karis hadn't visited their graves since the day they were lied to rest, and was past due for a visit. There was nothing wrong with remembering, especially the good times. And she also knew that if she was able to refresh the memory of her brother's friends, that his memory would also be easier to conjure. With a deep breath, she finally picked herself up off her feet, and walked to the door. It was the usual morning, and she didn't expect to find anything any different.

As she entered the kitchen, surely enough both the woman and man were sitting at the table, making small talk over breakfast. And just as every other morning, they stopped dead in what they were doing, acknowledging Karis' presence. It was silent, no change. However, just as they were about to continue their conversation, and finish their meals, she managed the will to speak a few words. "Good morning." Silence again, and a feeling of sudden shock took to the room, making her feel slightly awkward. After a few moments, she got sick of the feeling, and made her way for the door as quickly as possible, without seeming rude. While she closed the door behind her, she failed to catch glimpse of the small, yet hopeful smile on the woman's face, inside.

Unlike every other morning, she had forgotten to snatch a piece of fruit from the basket. It was obviously due to the position she had put herself in, so she had no one to blame but herself. Regardless, she didn't really mind, she was more concerned with her destination. Today, for the first time in months, she was making a visit to the graveyard, the resting place of her friends. A feeling of uneasiness overcame her as she thought about it, but she kept walking. She knew deep down that she needed to face this more than anything, and now was better than never. Her feet trudged forward, as the sky began to mold itself into a cloudy gray. Soon enough, the sky began weeping for her, as if it felt her pain. It was refreshing, to say the least. The cool, crisp air awoken her spirit, and lightened her step a little, strangely enough.

It was her determination that kept her moving forward. She was still convinced her brother was indeed alive, as they had no evidence he was dead. Deep down, there was doubt, but she had allowed her hope to surpass it. As she had met up with simple people of the town, and of similar age, she had come to realize things. It were those people who had struck the determination in her to move on, and to further her life. She was down moping in the shadows, she was going to get her life back. At least, she kept telling herself that. She filled her head with the idea that Kenny was alive, and just waiting to show up at the right time. That as soon as he came back, everything would be normal again. They would both smile and laugh, and more importantly, live. What she didn't realize, was as she was filling herself with these false ideas of a happy ending, it wasn't just the light drizzle of rain that rolled down her cheeks.

She choked on her own self doubt, and finally let herself cry. Was this part of accepting the truth? She couldn't answer herself now, she could only keep walking. Karis had been so lost in thought, she had failed to notice she had already reached her destination, and she wasn't alone. Managing to pull herself together, and hide the evidence of the tears, she approached the peculiar figure cautiously...