For some people, these marks are a badge of honour, something for them to show off and be proud of. It says look at this, look what I've done, isn't it amazing.
For others it's something that they have to hide from. They have nothing to be proud of. It's the memory that keeps them up at night. It's a stark reminder of the death around them.
Every scar has a story, but every scar is a tally, of those who've died. For ever scar that shows a life survived, there's also a vivid memory of a person who didn't make it out alive.
As much as people should have been wearing their scars like a badge of honour, proof that they came out the other side, some of the, gentler souls, couldn't do that. They couldn't look at those marks and not think of the people who should still be standing with them.
While some are boasting the others are hiding, staying away from all the fame and spotlight, avoiding the glory hunters who only want to see those marks of survival. Those marks only fill them with sadness and despair. They didn't deserve to survive this war any more than everyone else, and those that lost their lives had just as much right to live as anyone.
There was one place where these types could go and hide. A small memorial garden was set up during the rebuilding process. It was centred around a large plinth which held all the names of those who had lost their lives in the battle.
The moving feature of the garden, wasn't the plinth, it was the large pond that ran the length of the garden. It wasn't special because of how pretty it was. No, it was special because when the plinth was erected, the family and friends of those who had died, released a small new-born fish into the pond, so for every life that had been lost, a new one was released, to make the world that little bit brighter.
This pond was where you could usually find Harry and his friends. They took every death to heart, some more than others and this release of life, didn't make it any better, but it did make the pain ease ever so slightly. During the night, the fish glow and that would give the perfect nightlight to those of them who couldn't sleep.
More people were found at the pond at night, than were found during the day, because you keep the demons away when you're awake, but they come for you in the dark.
Yes I'm back writing for a few days, so I hope you all enjoy, what's to come.
Review please. I'm always happy to hear from my readers.