This is a day for wandering, I thought, finding myself heading into the woods I'd risen in.

I was far away from Jake now, but I kept walking. The distance had done nothing to lessen my silent rage, so I kept going. Kept thinking. And the more I thought, the angrier I felt. Part of me ached to turn back, to hurt him like he'd hurt me.

I was never one for violence. It was something I couldn't stomach. But I knew that I was capable of it - perhaps not before, but I surely was now.

I didn't know how I remembered where I was buried, but I did. My mind was on autopilot - it was like losing yourself on the walk home, only to realize you'd arrived. And that was how I felt as I stood at the edge of my grave. At home.

Suddenly, I hated that feeling.

I hated that being here of all places felt safe. I hated that I was hungry. I hated that I couldn't sleep. I hated that I was homicidal. I hated that somebody I loved, somebody I trusted, hurt me. But most of all, I hated Anubis.

I was a pawn in a game I wanted no part in, and it was all because of him.

I sat down beside the pit, my face burning as I spat an ineloquent, "Fuck you, asshole," at the sky. Nobody came down to smite me. The ground didn't open up to swallow me whole. Nothing happened. I was just alone.

"Crazy," I whispered. "I'm talking to myself. I'm crazy."

Laying back on the grass, I shut my eyes, trying to relax. As hard as I tried, my jaw would stay clenched and my shoulders tensed. The sun's rays filtered in through trees, the warmth brushing over face.

Something rustled nearby, and the warmth was gone. I opened my eyes, sitting up to the sight of a young man in front of me.

My eyes went wide.

"Feeling nostalgic?" Anubis asked.

A u t h o r 's  N o t e 

Hello!! I know this update was rather short, but I figured I would post it as-is so you guys would know that I'm back and actively posting. The plan is to finish up this story by the end of June or early July, I'll be updated pretty frequently - at least once every one to two week.

I hope you guys have all been well. Sorry for being gone so long.

-M