I always found a sort of peace in throwing rocks by the river, the only other 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, full of life and joy in a moment, suddenly 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, then I hope it wouldn't happen to me, I'm tired, just let me rest with..

My hands balled into fists.

The wind let out a subtle whistle as it brushed against the nearby trees; the rustling leaves echoed a soothing tone of serenity.

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

Thunder echoed, warning me of an approaching storm. The river grew dark as it mirrored the skies above.

A man stood in the reflection,curly brown hair, skin of light clay, puffed eyes, and hazelnut brown pupils surrounded by red veins. Wearing only a leather tunic and black trousers, stripped of his royalty.

I eyed the reflection.

I can't help but notice the empty space beside me. Someone should be standing there, but no one is, not anymore.

The wind howled once again, fiercer this time. The gale disturbed the calm of the water and distorted my image, but still, I continued to stare at it

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

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 would usually take pleasure in bathing in the rain, but right now, it all seemed so pale, so lifeless.

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. Thunder roared and the wind whistled fiercely.

"Long live the king, or so they say"