"So what happened, Miss Lina?"
Lina was startled out of her reverie by a young boy tugging on her knee. "Oh, well…"
"Did they get married? And live happily ever after?" A young girl hugged Lina's arm.
"Yes," she said smiling sadly, "that's what happened."
"That's a stupid ending!" The boy pouted. He was adorable, and would be quite handsome when he grew up. He had sea green eyes and black hair.
"No, it's not! It's the perfect ending!" The little girl smiled dreamily. She had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She looked exactly like Lina's protector.
"It's getting late. You two should head home," Lina shooed them out the door.
"But I don't wanna go!"
"Yeah! Me either!"
"You should. Do you want your parents to get mad?"
"No," the kids shook their heads in unison.
"Alright. I'll see you tomorrow, then."
"Yup. Bye, Miss Lina!" The little girl waved as the setting sun caught her hair.
"Bye!" Lina forced a smile on her face. The simple perfection of the sun glinting off the girl's hair, along with her bright blue eyes, reminded Lina of someone she knew all too well.
She closed the door and leaned against it. She bit her lip as tears trickled down her face.
An image burned Lina's eyes, making the tears worse. A man was walking away from her, his right hand raised in a wave. He had long, golden hair, and was dressed in blue. A sword was buckled to his hip, even though the scabbard rang empty. That small movement of his hand, that goodbye, knocked the breath from Lina. She had lost him. He had tried to protect her and she had lost him.
Gourry… I'm sorry… Lina's eyes began to slide shut, I broke my promise… I'll follow you into the dark.