Sol awoke to find the space next to him empty and the sun silent.
Every room.
Vacant, alone.
But the front door
open.
“Aurora? Are you out there?”
New feeling flooded.
Panic, misery, denial, anguish tore from his stomach, splashed at his feet, and bought Sol to his hands and knees.
“Nononononononono.” Whispers.
He crawled to her.
Innocent, beautiful.
Her mouth, eyes open. Her body, too white.
Only two colors:
Dirt.
Blood.
Brown and red fingerprints painted morbid petals across her slashed frame.
So much blood.
Too much blood.
And a word.
He saw it as he bundled her back in the blanket.
She looked so cold, alone.
She looked so cold, alone…dead.
A word carved.
A word carved into a cheek.
FREAK
He touched the leathery lettering. She had left him one last gift. Images flicked through his mind.
Of a man.
Of a knife.
Of Below.
A new emotion began to breed beneath his skin.
Rage?
Yes.
Always.
He tucked her into his bed.
Keeping her safe.
And robotically exited his home and stepped off the edge of the deck.
Dry leaves crunched under bare feet as he landed.
Blood, her blood, had dripped a trail of success that led to Below.
Sol followed. Feet so fast, he flew.
This man was no more. This lover, friend, companion, shelter, home
no longer in existence.
He had died with her.
I will kill you all.