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The Binding of Souls

The Cycle of this Monochromatic Life

Life is a spectrum of infinite possibilities and colors. Within these possibilities lie options that dictate the course of our lives. Some decisions are good and others are bad. People have aspirations, dreams, and can see the plethora of choices laid out before them. The decision falls upon them as to how they wish to proceed. However, despite their knowledge and judgment, some will fall into a cycle that has been performed many times before them. They wish to pursue their dreams, with the thoughts that they might be able to change something in the world and make their mark. But their plans may be influenced by others, to follow a path of security, rather than passion.

Once they have made the choice to go down one path, it can be quite difficult to traverse another. Instead of the life of color and fulfillment that they had originally planned for, they will now be met by an ever increasing shade of monochrome. As the talents they once had fade away into oblivion with time, so too, does their former self. Someone who once had hope and wished to make positive changes in the world, now reduced to a husk of what they used to be. Drudging through life day after day, surrounded by various grays. Sure, they may have the stability that was once promised, but people who swayed them never told them what exactly it was they would be sacrificing.

Themselves. Their individuality. Everything that they once were, what inspired them, and what they had hoped to become.

Gone. Alas, this is where I stand. Having followed the advice of others, I chose to give up the things I enjoyed the most in pursuit of this soundness. I now live with a consistent routine. Waking up, commuting by bus, then returning home to sleep in preparation for the next day. Nothing else to be had during the off hours. The passion and fulfillment I once had in my hobbies, my art, I have lost much of my technique over the years, I find it hard to find that same enjoyment. Just living each day, wondering how things may have been different if I had just done what I originally sought to do; to make others think, to laugh, and to find enjoyment and inspiration in my work. I lay awake at night with these thoughts circling in my head until I finally succumb to the creeping darkness.

I have been in this cycle for years now. Most likely nothing will change, this will be my fate. Tomorrow will be another day, much the same as today with nothing to look forward to, only to be greeted by the grays of my world in this never ending cycle.

The Fate Altering Choice

My alarm rang out before the first light of morning. The rest of the world still has yet to begin its day. The sounds of the birds chirping have yet to fill the air. Rolling out of bed, I get myself prepared for the day. Following the same routine; get changed, eat breakfast, brush my teeth, then grab my bags and lock the door on my way out.

Stepping out of my house, I am greeted by the calming cool air that eases my mind. Now begins my journey to work. The bus stop was located on a bridge that crossed the raging river below. After arriving at the bridge, I noticed there was something different. There was another person at my stop. It's not often that I see someone here this early in the morning, so I felt my space being encroached upon. It was a girl who looked close to my age. She had long black hair, and straight cut bangs. She was leaning over the railing, exuding an air of curiosity about her, overlooking the river paying no mind to me. I wonder what she would be looking for in this dim light.