As he walked out of the room, he could not let himself look back towards her. He knew that if he turned and saw her tears, his resolve would fade. He would forgive her and the events of the past few years would only start again and he would end up spiraling down the depression slide once again. His footsteps sound unusually loud, thankfully covering the sounds of her tears striking the hardwood floor like bombs falling from the skies. He feels like he is walking through ankle-deep mud, his heart wanting to turn around and take her in his arms, kissing away her tears. His mind knows different though, and with steel resolve stronger than any rebar, it keeps him moving towards the door.
He dimly hears her cry out to him, but the steel armor he covered himself in holds true and dims her shouts to the sound of a small insect buzzing in his ears. He reaches the door after twelve lifetimes have passed, his hand stretching forward only to freeze in deepest ice on the handle. He knew that turning the handle meant giving up everything they were and suddenly, the gates and doors in his mind burst open, flooding him with the memories of their past. All the good times assail him, dragging him deeper and deeper into what he was giving up. Since floods are not water specific, all their problems bubble up and wash over him, pushing his head above the waves. Her voice rings in his ears as his rusted armor begins to crack and fall apart, but he knew the choice was made.
As he steps into the cold October air, he can still hear her voice, but it fades with each step he takes down that dark street. He had made his choice, just as she had made hers. The cold wind comes over him in a cleansing wave, washing away the armor with gentle hands. With a deep breath, he takes the first step of his new life, not knowing where it was going to lead him, but reveling in the fact that no matter where his mind, heart, and soul take him, he will be going there on his own terms.
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