He walked the familiar pathway to his university.

Seeing the same sights.
Hearing the same sounds.
Recognizing the same people.

The monotony comforted him.

Once again, the world continued its bleak cycle.

Everything was still the same.

"Except it isn't exactly anymore, right?"

He gripped the umbrella more tightly,
his knuckles turning white.

For some reason, it seemed like a very heavy thing in his grasp.

I should have left this instead.

"You can still stop, you know.
Just leave it behind."

But he couldn't.