She left a long time ago.  I mean it was years ago. From time to time he would remember her.  He still has all her pictures.  He put them in album.

At the time both of their lives were falling apart.  All they wanted was shelter.  They certainly couldn't find it in each other.  Although he wished they could.  She would have none of it of course.  He knew this so he didn't ask.

Back then it seemed like the ruins just kept going on forever as they walked through this hell of eternal smoke and smog.  Occasionally the air would clear and he would be able to make out her beautiful face.  So he kept the pictures he gave her.

The first time he looked back and she wasn't there he knew she had decided to head another direction.  He thought she probably just went back.  There was no going back for him though.  He was now on his way.  In fact he couldn't go back not even if had wanted.  All the roads had been washed away.  The buildings had been raised.  All that remained was ruins and he so desperately did not want to see the ruins.  Maybe some time but not now.  Just keep looking forward.

The memory seems persistent though.  Where did you go.  Where are you now.  Hope things are going well.  He did happen upon an artifact left by her which gave him hope however the artifact itself did not.  He discovered it about a year after she had left it.  All she said was "hahaha."  He knew she didn't leave it for him.  Must be for somebody else he thought.  The disturbing thing was that it all so said she hated her life.  As he ran his fingers over the marker all he hoped she was alright.  He hoped she found somebody. Somebody nice.  Somebody real.  Somebody that would treat her well.  He looked up at the sky and put his hand over his eyes to sheild them from the sun and realized that it was sunny now.  The mist that had seemed to persist for an eternity had lifted.  He carefully put the stones backdown where he had found them as if it were some kind of shrine.  He then left his own inscription from a song he heard thinking that if she comes back maybe she will find it.

You ask me where to begin

Am I so lost in my sin

You ask me where did I fall

Ill say I cant tell you when

But if my spirit is lost

How will I find what is near

Dont question Im not alone

Somehow Ill find my way home

 

Such a lovely creature, he thought.  He picked up his blue backpack, now almost 4 years old looked at the trail ahead and continued on.