Pounding. Da-da-dun-da. Over. And over. And over.
The endless drumming.
His own heart, racing in his ears.
Over. And over. And over.
On. And on. And on.
The burnt orange sky blazes overhead, glowing brilliantly as the twin suns sink.
Silver and gold trees whisper invitingly, waving for him to come rest beneath their boughs.
But the drumming, always there, drowns out the sound with its rapid tattoo.
He's running. Racing time. Always looking for something that's always right around the next bend; fleeting from him, but begging him to follow, hiding in the shadows.
Da-da-dun-da. Over. And over. And over.
He can barely breathe, a pit of hatred lodged in his throat.
A soft hand slips inside his own, holding it with a gentle warmth.
The fierce ache is soothed, and he longs to pull the phantom closer to his body. When hand is pulled forcefully away, he screams in agony, scrabbling to hold onto the hand, clutching his chest.
He falls to the ground, among the copper leaves, and cries.
The tears of anguish roll off his cheeks, hitting the grass soundlessly. Before him, they shimmer and collect into a river, a river of tears. His river.
A lone wolf howls, anguish laced through its song.
He stumbles backwards.
On. And on. And on, he sprints, following his river.
Da-da-dun-da. His hearts beat again, but, in the distance, there is an echo.
Da-da-dun-da, it responds. Maybe there is hope. And just that thought of hope is strong enough for him to grab on to.
On. And on. And on.
You never look back. Always forward. Pain is in the past. And pain is easy to forget if you don't think about it.
So he doesn't.
Maybe, just maybe, there might be a reason to stop running. Maybe.
But this slow burning pain, pain in his hearts, drives him forward. Searching for the phantom, following his river.
But, perhaps, what he's been looking for is right in front of him. With wild blue eyes the same shade as his river of tears.
His River.
A/N: So... You like it? Hate it? Think I need some serious help with writing? Leave a review then! Flames will be used to roast bacon! Thanks! See you around!
