For me alone.

With the only thought of getting out of the pouring rain, I stepped in to the house, shaking the umbrella loose of water. The weather has been crazy all week, but what can one do? Just to bear with it was the only answer. I sighed and shut the door, only to realize that I was not the only one who was now home.

I pulled my hair back and walked farther in until I spotted my niece standing by the window. Gazing at the outside world with a blank expression, she was definitely lost in thought. I remained quiet, since she had not noticed me, and propped the wet umbrella against the wall. She continued with her thoughts, completely oblivious of my presence. I frowned, not liking it one bit. I was usually the one to space out, and seeing this in my niece was... rather nerving. Sure, we were a family, but it scared me sometimes to think of how much we were alike.

Whatever that was troubling her I would wait till she was ready to tell me. I never liked to pry in to people's business as much as I wanted to know because I was just that type of person to worry endlessly about the people I love. Even so, I had other things weighing my mind and was in no rush to get her to speak to me. I hate to be forced to do things I don't want to do, so I knew what it felt like.

I walked by her, pausing briefly to give her a glance, and then continued to my bedroom. I closed the door behind me and began to take my clothes off. I threw the soaked clothing aside and shivered at the thin layer of garments I was left in. I climbed in to bed and curled beneath the covers, shutting my eyes tightly like a lost child.

I was tired, but I couldn't sleep. My mind was restless, thinking about one thing, then another. Adding to the quiet insanity was the plattering of the rain, becoming a somber melody in the background. I rolled on to my back and stared at the ceiling, stretching my arms across the bed...

I realized then how big the bed was.

It was too large for me alone.

My hand swept across the space next to me, where he would be, holding me close as we slept in to the night, but at the moment, it was cold...

And empty.