I stood there, leaning against a forest tree. Snow like a light piles under me, falling soundless. Each "unique" flake loses itself on the ground.

Snow is transient. It is cold, lifeless, and desolate. I don't know how others can find beauty in it. It melts away the second you touch it. It leaves you without saying.

I realize now that I hate the snow. It reminds me of Rin. How cold her body was when I last held it only weeks ago. How transient her life was. I don't want to remember her like that. I want to remember her warmth, her smile, her voice. Not her limp body in my arms.

When she was passing, I felt so helpless. I still do. There was nothing I could have done as she went. All I did was hold her tight in my arms, begging her not to go, or that I stay here without her. She withered more and more as the snow fell around us. And now there is nothing I can do to bring her back.

But I don't understand.

Why?

Why did she have to leave me?

She left before I could tell her. I couldn't say those three words: I love you.

She was sick. I knew she was going to go, but I still loved her. I took care of her, but even then I knew. There was no telling when she would go. Her entire life she had been sickly and weak. Yet she managed to do it. She managed to keep a smile and tell me that it would be okay. Wasn't I supposed to do that for her?

How pathetic of me.

"Rin," I call out. I know she can't hear me anymore, but I still go on. "Are you feeling okay? If you're sad, lonely, or hurt, just please. . .call out to me. I don't care where you are now. I'll come and find you."

My voice cracks, and a tight feeling constricts my chest. I try to ignore it. "You're gone now but I still want to make sure you're alright, okay?"

My efforts were pointless. My throat tightens, and a tear streams down my face. Then another. And many more follow after it, all stinging with the cold. Soon enough, I'm sobbing.

I let it out, and now it all comes out at once.

I'm alone. I've realized it as soon as she left, but now it finally hit me. I'm alone.

I thought we shared a soul together. I thought I couldn't live without her. I'm still here, yet I wouldn't consider this living. Living doesn't mean feeling empty.

She won't be there when I return home. No greeting with a smile from her. No more hearing her soft voice. No more hearing her call out my name with that voice. I can't hold her ever again. I can't even be with her again.

But god, how I'd love to have all that just one more time.

I tell myself there's nothing that could bring her back. But if it's possible, just please take my voice away. Give it to her. Bring her back. Take away anything from me to just bring her back.

All that's left of her are the memories. But won't those fade away?

My sobs shake my body as I wipe away my tears. They say pain makes you stronger, but just how much of it actually does?

I slide down the oak wood, unable to keep myself standing. Slowly, I close my eyes. When I open them, I'll be with her again.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters used here, nor do I own the images and story of the Soundless Voice series. I only write the content. That is all.