Thunder rolled ominously in the sky murky and oily above. Thousands of miniscule raindrops plummeted heavily downward; not a dry spot in sight for miles. Thick, squishy mud slouched in the visitor's disdroughten path, the whole of his dark combat boots instantly devoured in each step.
Vash froze where he stood. The rain drenched his short blonde hair and clothes. Drops rained down his cheeks almost masking his silent tears. In front of him, a rather tall building littered with grim and filth. The bright flora that once sprouted residence around the front steps of the mansion fell wilted in both form and spirit. A dampened collection of bills and other documents sat forgotten on the top step. Spinach-like veins wound their paths up the three-story mansion, fanning across tall, dusty windows yellowed out of neglect. They appeared to have embedded themselves amongst the brick and mortar that formed the very place...like a monster clawing its way into its soul.
What a silly thing...thinking of houses having souls...
Many years had past since Vash last stepped foot on this property...too many to count. So many emotions. They scrambled and flooded through his veins, invading his mind. Heartache, agony, helplessness. A mere echo of the past he left behind him. Tension erupted within him, this hands tightening and shaking into wet, slippery fists. Every fiber of his being shouted violently. "Turn around...GO BACK! Leave this empty shell...this rotten place you used to call home..."
No, he wouldn't...he couldn't leave! Not now, not after all he had to go through to get here. He had to go back. If he waited any longer, it might be too late. There were many things left unsaid. Loose ends that still needed to be tied up.
A spike of lightening shot across the bleak and dreary skyline, flashing for a mere second in Vash's line of vision. His deep, green eyes widened in surprise. He took a slight step backward without thinking. He felt the world slip out from underneath him. The Swiss man desperately and frantically grabbed the air for safety before falling onto his back. His body sank further into the filthy mud leaving him gasping for breath.
Vash silently closed his eyes, blocking the constant stream of rainfall that showered onto his face and body. The breathed in and out through his nose ever so slowly once and then a couple times more. "This...this is the last time I step foot in this awful place..."
