New Beginnings

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He glanced down at the worn cobblestone beneth his feet. It had certainly seen better days. He was sweating under his leather jacket. Any other time, he would removed it but standing here he couldn't. In the open, removing his jacket made him feel vulnerable. He felt suspectible to the glances of the people walking down the strret. Most glanced over him diinterestedly, just another character in the city. But some, scrutinised him, took in every inch of him as if trying to ascertain what he was doing here. He hated those people. Once upon on a time, he was one of those people, trying to piece otgether people's stories from a 5 seond onceover.But that was then. He'd like to think that he has grown from that naive teenager who had honestly thought that the world was his oyster.

He looked up and flinched at the direct sunlight. He instantly averted his gaze back to the cobblestone. Any passerby would have thought that the worn piece of pavement contained the secrets to the universe, judging by the intensity of his stare.

He looked up at the building. It was a modest building, exposed brick and worn out posters. It was the kind of place no one in the city would look at twice but also the kind of building tourists would fawn over. But to him, it seemed as imposing as a prison cell.

He took out his piercings, the cool metal stinging his palm. His ears felt naked without the familiar weight but this was better. He couldn't let them see it lest they be confiscated. It was the last memory he had of her and he would be damned if anyone took it away from him.

The images of blood-spattered walls and the sounds of screams flashed through his mind, instantly filling him with rage. He balled his palms into fists, the sharp ridges of the earrings digging into his palms.

He forced himself to calm down, he took a deep breath and stared resolutely at the building. His long legs strode towards the entrance.

It was time.