Dusk was setting, casting an eerie glow to the graveyard. A couple left the grave they'd been visiting, their footsteps the only sound in the quiet setting. A caretaker glanced over- sure enough, the figure was still there. A cloaked figure had been standing in front of a grave all day long, their hood pulled up to cover their face. To be honest, the caretaker was getting a bit spooked. He was about to walk over and investigate when they moved suddenly, whirling around and walking hurriedly away. He could have sworn he heard a sob when they walked by, and as much as he hates to admit it, he is glad they weren't a ghost.
It had been the first time she'd gone to see the grave. Sanding in front of it, she'd felt frozen- immobilized. She'd forgotten just how much memories could hurt. She walks quickly towards her house, just another figure in the darkening streets. She can't help but smirk to herself- that won't last long.
She reaches her house and lets herself in silently. She locks the door behind her. Nobody's welcome into this girl's home.
The living room, like the rest of the house, is void of anything to make it feel homey. Nothing personal is displayed. Everything, everything, is contemporary, comparable to a newly-bought home. The funny thing is that she's been living here alone for about three years.
Everywhere you look in this house, you see the same blank, emotionless walls. No personality shows. Looking at the woman who lives here, you see the same thing. An empty wall, with no personality to be had. She walks up the decor-less staircase and lets herself into her office. Then she picks up a book detailing the laws of alchemy. Even though this is something she's already memorized, she studies it again. Her score will have to be perfect- she knows this. She studies late into the night, and then she finally allows herself to sleep.
The next day means a hurried cup of coffee before heading off to take the written part of the state alchemist exam. When she arrives, she is given some strange looks. She is, after all, the only female taking the test. Their attention is further caught by her emotionless expression and voice. She definitely seems strange to all around her. She doesn't seem to notice the stares, grabbing the assigned paper and getting started.
When she walks out of Central Command, she's surrounded by men headed towards their patiently-waiting familes. She has no family waiting for her, and so she walks home alone.
She thinks quietly about her next exam, when she finds out she passed the written part. The next part will end with her either passing, or scheduled for execution.
He'd watched her go into Central Command with the men. Did she even recognize him? He doubted it. It'd been years. He stood, trying to get the courage to wait for her. Why was he so scared? It was just a girl. They'd known each other, before she disappeared. So why did seeing her again make him feel so nervous? He missed her, he supposed. No, that wasn't it. It was that look on her face- that blank stare- it was something he'd seen before, years ago. Every time he looked in a mirror.
Watching her leave, he wondered if she'd made it, and more importantly, why she wanted to.