I always found a sort of peace in throwing rocks by the river, the only peace I've found so far. The way it skips and bounces before its inevitable sink has something beautiful and poetic about it. Perhaps just like us humans, ups and downs, full of life and joy in a moment, then six feet under the next.

 Then there are those stones that I throw so hard that they go to the other side, meeting with their other rock family, perhaps that meant reincarnation. I wonder if such a thing were actually true. If it was, I hope it wouldn't happen to me, I did not wish to spend more time than intended in this cruel world with its wretched people.

The wind let out a subtle whistle as it brushed against the leaves; they rustled a soothing tone of serenity.  

I threw a rock and watch it skip then another, and another.

Thunder echoed, warning me of an approaching storm. The river grew dark as it reflected the skies above, but also, it reflected me. A man stood there, hazelnut brown eyes, curly brown hair, and skin of light clay. Wearing only a leather tunic, stripped of any royalty. I stared at my hazelnut brown eyes and saw myself, a shell of a man I once was, pathetic. 

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

The wind once again howled, fiercer this time. I felt a chill run down my spine as I stared at my own reflection or whoever it is I was staring at.

Maybe I should just be a rock and throw myself in there, never to surface. It would be a quick end, a quick escape.

A lump formed in my throat and I swallowed it with all my strength. Sweat caressed my eyebrows down to my neck. I felt hot, and cold, peaceful, and scared. I was considering it and then it was decided. One last rock throw until I follow that very same rock down to the depths of death.

I picked up a rock, it was a marvelling white gritty in texture and had a unique shape to it, almost looking like a bean. I threw it as hard as I can. Skip skip skip, it skipped until it reached the other side. I wasn't expecting that, did I really throw it that hard? It didn't matter, soon the water infront of me would be my grave. 

Droplets started to embrace my body, drenching me soaking wet. 

I struggled to stand, my legs were weak from running earlier, but I gathered all that I could so that I may face my doom standing with pride.

I stood before the river now, its raging waters eager to consume me. I spread my hands and closed my eyes. 

"Long live the king, or so they say"