She stepped past him, not pushing, not hurrying. Just walking away with a grace that made him feel small.
Karl's legs didn't move. His heart throbbed in his chest, and all he could do was whisper to himself, barely audible, "...But I missed you so much."
She didn't turn around.
And somehow, that silence hurt more than any yelling ever could.
**
Ruby closed the door to her room quietly, the soft click echoing louder than it should have. Her shoulders slumped the moment she was alone. She leaned back against the door, closing her eyes and only then did the tears finally gather.
She didn't want to be cold to him. She didn't want to push him away.
But if she didn't say it like that… he would never understand.
Karl, with his wide blue eyes and foolishly brave heart, didn't realize just how much he meant to all of them. To Ruby he was the soul of the family.
The one who made noise in the silence.