In My Hands, Know Suffering

Epilogue: The Sound Of Silence

One Year Later

Hello darkness, my old friend. I've come to talk with you again.

Or that was how the song went anyway. For every unfortunate circumstances, there was always a silver lining, brighter days were waiting, better opportunities were unveiling. The darkness had faded, welcoming the light of a new day. How lovely did that spark of hope sounded? Was there really a day when that would truly happen for each of the individuals suffering the loss of happiness? Perhaps.

The bell chimes swung as the soft winds of summer blew their toga caps higher, indicating the end of their academic journey as bachelors of their own degrees. Merry cheers and laughter was the chorus that sang throughout the campus grounds. Roses for the ladies and champagnes for the men, or whatever token was there to celebrate the occasion.

They could sleep now, rest easy, but the reality of life was still waiting for them. One problem done, more was to come soon. It was the cycle of life, only if you'd let circumstances eat you. But there was always a choice of breaking away from the cycle, to drive through the route of your own path.

Castellone stood between Blaze and Genon, whose smiles were as wide as the boasting brought by their degrees. Their arms were draped on him while facing the camera, their togas were off and each had their suits on. Mr. Farendye took a shot, but Mrs. Xelsus decided that she wanted a photo of Genon alone. Kerxis, on the other hand, just waited when all the flashes from their devices had subsided. He took a shot of Castellone's candid ones, he thought his brother didn't like the formal ones that forced him to smile.

There was an after-party for the occasion, Castellone was invited multiple times by people he once knew and people who just wanted him over. He was never left behind, but, he declined all of them, even his friends.

"Don't you think you're being too reserved?" Kerxis said when they walked towards the parking lot.

Castellone frowned, almost scoffing. He had no time to deal with those. Kerxis should already know that he didn't really fancy party-hopping that much, except when he had nothing really important to do. Now, perhaps it changed. "Whatever."

He stopped in his tracks when Kerxis paused in front of an unfamiliar black car. That wasn't his brother's so why was Kerxis even rummaging through its trunk? He took his briefcase and closed it. Kerxis let the keys dangle on one hand, then he proceeded to tossing it towards him. Castellone caught it by the chest, a face of confusion was drawn on his facade.

"It's yours. Congrats." Kerxis said.

Castellone looked at the car, then at Kerxis. He raised a brow, his face wasn't showing any signs that it would brighten up. He scoffed, it was supposed to be an appreciative laugh, but he ended up otherwise. He looked at the keys and didn't know what to say, or how to react in a jolly way either, it wouldn't describe him. Kerxis must have eaten something really good this morning before the graduation ceremony.

"Dad actually left it in his will, you have access to your share in his account now." Kerxis was smiling, as if to tease his brother's dumbfounded reaction.

Clearly, Castellone's expression was giving him away. He decided it was best to just show a facade of nonchalance after knowing that. He kept his head depressed a bit. He owed his success to his brother, and that was one thing he'll always be grateful for. Kerxis basically raised him where their parents failed to.

Kerxis approached him and nudged his head. "Say 'hi' for me when you get there."

Castellone looked at his brother head for his own car. Kerxis found his way out of the campus grounds soon, living a life that he can only wonder now. He was moving forward which was something good. Kerxis had buried his past behind, crawling away from the debris that broke into his anguish. Castellone wanted to do just the same. He wanted to start anew now that everything was back to square one. He wasn't certain about what tomorrow had prepared but he had to brace himself for it.