It was broken.
He stared down at the crumbled necklace of thalassa shells he held in his calloused palm. She had given him many things over the years: birthday presents, holiday gifts, and items she had crafted with her own hand.
But this... This was the most important thing that she had ever given him.
"Long ago, sailors would wear them and pray for a safe trip. And pray that no matter where they went, they'd come back one day." She turned her azure eyes to meet his own as he admired her latest creation from over her shoulder. "Even if we're separated, Riku, we'll meet back here as long as you have this." She turned to face her silver-haired friend and opened his palm, placing the necklace of thalassa shells inside.
He was not crafty with his fingers like Kairi was. His hands couldn't braid string together or crochet winter scarves or apply bandaids perfectly on injured elbows and knees.
There was only one thing those hands of his were good for.
He let the broken necklace fall from his hands and dragged one leg behind the other. A crimson trail marked the boy's path, but he didn't notice.
