The graveyard was quiet, save for the low whistle of the wind as it brushed through the dead grass.
Then, all of a sudden, the sound of soil shifting and dry wood snapping echoed through the air as a hand began to slowly emerge from one of the shallow graves. By the time the hand had fully emerged, it remained perfectly still, as if testing the cold air for a moment. Then, the whole body began to heave upward, dragging itself out from the dark depth of the grave, until Cedric was sitting in a weary, almost meditative manner.
After a few quiet seconds, he ran a hand through his hair to shake out the lingering grains of sand. Then, as he brought his hand down, he studied his pale skin, which was now bare without Aika's tattoo.
