Ryle woke up to the soft patter of rain on his face. He blinked at the gray sky, feeling the cold drizzle soak into his jacket. The park was quiet, the only sounds coming from the rustling leaves and distant traffic.
He stayed on the bench for a while, staring at the trees around him. The world felt heavy, but the rain somehow made it easier to breathe. It reminded him of simpler times—times when nothing was so complicated.
This park held many memories of her. After school, they'd walk here , talking about everything and nothing. She had a way of making everything feel lighter, brighter. Now, it just felt empty.
Ryle sat up, brushing water off his jacket. The rain was steady but not harsh, more like a soft reminder of the things he couldn't let go of. He looked at the path ahead, the same one they used to take, and decided to follow it.
Each step brought back a memory. The fountain where she'd sit and laugh at his silly jokes. The bench where they'd once argued over who would win a silly bet.
"This feels so far away now," he murmured to himself.
The memories were still there, but they felt distant, like they belonged to someone else. He thought of Faith—her smile, her voice, the way she'd always find something good in every moment. He wished he could go back to those days, even just for a little while.
The rain began to ease, and a faint light broke through the clouds. Ryle looked up, watching as the sky slowly cleared. The sunlight felt warm against his skin, cutting through the chill.
He stood up, looking back at the path he'd walked. Faith wasn't here anymore, but her memory stayed with him. Maybe it always would.
As he walked away from the park, he glanced back one last time. The rain had stopped, and the world looked fresh, like it was starting over. Ryle wasn't sure what came next, but he knew he couldn't stop , not now.
Somewhere out there, the stars were still shining, even if he couldn't see them now. And maybe, just maybe, he'd find his way back to her.