a revelation in the light of day

A year after the events of I Never Knew Daylight Could Be So Violent

Lacing his fingers together behind his back, the boy walked as he always did, as if he had a purpose and knew exactly what he was doing.

Today, that trait was going to help him. Having escaped from his rehab handlers during their trip out, the boy made his way through the streets as if he owned them. But if anyone cared to look a little harder at him, his eyes would betray the fact that maybe he wasn't quite as confident as he portrayed himself.

Gaze flickering towards a cafe, he let out a little sigh, but didn't dwell on it, manoeuvring straight past it the alleyway he knew wasn't all that far away.

His steps finally coming to a stop, Julian scanned the alley, rubbing at the back of his head. Had he expected it to change? Probably not. It was an alleyway, after all. How much did they change?

But still, part of him had wanted it to be destroyed, turned into a mall or something. Because as long as it was here, the memories of what had happened would still always have a place to make their way back to. If it was gone, he suppsed that it'd be easier to forget.

He snorted. Forget. As if that was going to happen any time soon. It was nothing but another chink on a long chain of abuse. To forget that one event would be easier, if it hadn't become one of the larger events. The smaller ones, the smacks and put-downs as opposed to complete beat-downs simply melded together.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, he chewed on his bottom lip. Part of him wanted to go and never come back, but something kept him rooted to the spot.

"Do you usually do this? Haunt places you know will bring you no happiness? Sounds like a rather morbid hobby."

Her voice came from the shadows where she was leaning, the stone wall cold through the fabric of her black tank top. The difference between the temperature in the air and the chill of the memory against her skin was odd, but she was done with memories. Done with the way they made her feel. Done with everything and everyone she had been before she left.

She was someone new now, someone better.

Her hair was longer now, and she liked it down, she liked the way it framed her face and made her look more feminine than she did before. Somehow, it also made her feel better, and older as well.

It was a slow process, one she had practiced and perfected while away. Gradually she allowed her emotions to show through their bond, at the foreground a fond sort of gratefulness. She was glad he was still here. Not a lot of people were.

He glanced over at Karma, his expression lacking the usual surprise one would have at hearing familiar voices in alleys. But if there was anyone he wouldn't have been surprised to find here, it was her. Other than his father, she was the only other person who knew just where he'd been beaten. And besides, the sixteen year old could locate her wherever she was, and today wasn't an exception. It was almost as if he'd been able to feel her presence before she'd said a word.

"I'm not looking for happiness. Not today." A grim smile flitted across his face, darkening his features. "So bring on the morbidness. Why not?" He brought a hand up to rub at the bridge of his nose, the memories of it breaking still vivid in his mind. Maybe it was the day or maybe it was where he stood, but the memories were as strong as they'd been since the very incident.

He took in her change of appearance, his eyes pausing for a moment longer on her scar before continuing on. "Nice hair," he said simply, his eyes sparkling with a hint of amusement. "I might even be attracted to you." A tiny smile flitted across his face at her gratefulness, a feeling that he shared. She was here. He didn't think he would've wanted it to be anyone else.

"How'd the mountains treat you? Enjoyed the cold?"