This story is part of the Wanderer series.
First, there were a few rhythmic beats. Then, those beats became muted trills. And finally, they clarified into the chirps of a thrush. Weightlessness slowly dissipated, ebbing from a world of homogenous eternity into white noise, tinging like a struck bell.
Rin opened her eyes to a dimly lit room, tinted orange by the open balcony door in her upper periphery. It was dawn. The sun has not risen yet. As far as she could tell. Rolling her shoulder forward, she felt the first sensation of life as her back muscles strained. She rolled over, planting her chin into the pillow and dangling her forearm off the side of the bed. Gaze directed towards the balcony, she listened to the world wake up. The bird right outside her door continued to brightly chirp.
She listened, but not very intently. Her mind was already churning, but not with what she heard. It was occupied by what she didn’t hear. The dead silence of the house itself, contrast to the world outside. It didn’t creak. It didn’t groan. It was lifeless.
Gone were the sounds next door. Gone were the sounds of creaking floorboards and the sounds of footsteps. Gone were the clattering of dishes downstairs and the deep hum of her beautiful voice. That liveliness was gone forever. Replaceable, perhaps. But never the same.
Rin was alone. The house had no one but her. It was a strange feeling. One she still was not used to. It was mortifying. Sublime, perhaps. Unwholly different. A poignant realization that those days are gone forever.
She dropped her gaze to the floor. Her jacket was on the floor, still covered in the dust of the streets after the heroes’ welcome. It looked out of place in this home, with its dark color, sharp corners, and vibrant badges. It did not belong here.
Straining her scapula, Rin pushed herself up from her bed and swung her legs out of her blanket. Still in her jeans, she got out of bed and slipped a shirt on. She decided she would pay Nozomi an early visit. Nozomi was probably lonely as well, locked up in the infirmary.