The air is as still as the numerous graves, with tombstones standing tall and silent. Their engravings tell stories of lives once lived but now gone. Ethan has been standing there for the past few hours, lost in his thoughts. The fog shrouds the area, as if guarding a secret, making sure that no one could see what was transpiring.

“I am the only one left, huh?” he asked, his voice echoing in the silence. He wasn’t expecting an answer, but it seemed as though nature was responding to his melancholy. The leaves on the trees rustled, and the grass on the graves swayed, as if in agreement. The fog moved along with the wind, causing his hair to flutter in the breeze. His empty eyes stared at the graves of his grandparents, lost in the memories of the past.

The graveyard was nestled in a quiet corner of the town, surrounded by towering pine trees. The moonlight filtered through the dense fog, casting long shadows on the ground. The silence was only broken by the occasional hoot of an owl or the rustling of leaves. It was a place of eternal rest, a stark reminder of the transient nature of life. Ethan found solace here, amidst the tombstones and the memories they held. It was a place of peace, a sanctuary from the chaos of the world.

Ethan’s grandparents had passed away during a trip out of town. He once had a family - his parents and a little sister. However, they too were taken from him in a cruel twist of fate. They were victims of a terrorist attack. All that was found were the remains of his parents, half-buried in a crater. As for his sister, they never found her body.

Now, he stood alone amidst the tombstones of his family members - his mother, his father, his little sister, and his grandparents. Each stone was a stark reminder of the love he had lost. The silence of the graveyard echoed the emptiness in his heart. His family, once full of life and laughter, was now reduced to names on tombstones.

A rough shout pierced the silence of the graveyard, “Oi, who’s there? You motherfuckers, are you trying to disgrace the dead again by digging them up?” The voice seemed to come from the fog, but Ethan remained still, lost in his past, ignoring the intrusion.

He was still clad in the black suit he had worn to his grandparents’ funeral. He had contemplated leaving many times, but his legs refused to move. People came and went, but he remained rooted to the spot, unsure if there was any point in returning to what he once called home. That place now served as a stark reminder of everything he had lost.

The sound of footsteps grew louder, accompanied by the bright beam of a torch that illuminated the foggy surroundings but failed to penetrate the dense mist. "You twats, how many times have I-" the voice began to shout, but stopped abruptly upon seeing the figure in front of him.

His unkempt beard and worn-out clothes telling a story of their own. The man softens his tone as he looked at Ethan's face. "Kid, I think you should leave," he said, his voice as gentle as he could muster. "I'm sorry for your loss, but I suggest you go back home now. I want you out in the next 5 minutes, or I'll have to remove you myself," he warned.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

He cast a final glance at Ethan before turning to leave. It wasn't the first time he had seen people standing in front of graves like this. All he could do was encourage them to leave the graveyard, hoping it would help them move forward and not remain trapped in the memories of their past.

Ethan heard his voice however he stayed there for a while as though engraving the image of the graves in his mind. 

Ethan heard the man's voice but remained still for a while longer, as if etching the image of the graves into his memory.

"I-I'll come back to visit you often," he promised, his voice cracking with emotion. It was the second time he had uttered these words - the first was three years ago when his parents and little sister had passed away, and now, when his last remaining family, his grandparents, were gone.

Taking the first step felt like the hardest part, but he managed to move towards the exit of the graveyard. He passed the old man, the keeper of this place of eternal rest, on his way out. But once outside the gates, he felt lost. He didn't want to go home - that was the last place he wanted to be. It was no longer a home, but a painful reminder of all he had lost. So, he just started walking, with no particular destination in mind, carried forward by the need to keep moving.

As he moved, he looked around. The city, shrouded in fog, seemed to mirror his own mood - dull and melancholic. The lights flickered in the distance, casting long shadows on the foggy streets. Figures of people moved around, each engrossed in their own world, much like him. However, the stark difference was that he had no place to return to.

As he wandered, memories of the past flooded back. He remembered all the places he had visited with his parents, his grandparents, and especially the places he took his sister to. The arcade held a special place in his heart. It was her favorite spot. Every weekend, she would wake him up early and drag him there, making him win all the toys she desired.

"I miss you, Ruby," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper in the quiet night. He paused to look at the arcade, its bright lights a stark contrast to the somber mood. The laughter and joy that once filled the place were now just echoes in his mind.

With a heavy heart, he moved on, wandering through the city like a ghost, aimless and lost. He had no destination in mind; he just let his legs carry him wherever they would.

After walking for hours, he found himself standing in front of a two-story house. The lights were all off, casting the building in shadows. The house, which once radiated warmth and echoed with laughter, now felt empty and worn out. The windows, once bright and welcoming, were dark, mirroring the desolation he felt. The walls, which had once witnessed all the happy moments, now stood silent, bearing the weight of the emptiness .It was a stark reminder of the life that once was, and the loneliness that now is.

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Author's note:

Hello everyone, it's Echo0o here. I'm here to provide you with an overview of what to expect. I'll be sharing chapters once a week, each spanning approximately 3000 to 5000 words. The frequency of releases may vary depending on my schedule. Thank you for your understanding.

P.S. I'm only human and prone to making mistakes, especially as English isn't my first language. Your constructive criticism is appreciated!