The ash tree gently waves its leafy branches over the five year old girl seated in its dappled shade - pouring over a heavy tome that seems at odds with her petite frame; or, indeed, her young age. Around her, the sun beats down on a shabby but peaceful neighborhood, where only a few people hurry through the streets cramped with grubby terraced houses.
Maybe there is something special about her. Maybe it's the sapphire colour of both her hair and her eyes - but, then again, there are others with exotic her colours in Levanthia. Not many, but hair colour alone doesn't make her special. Maybe its the way she avidly reads a book that most adults wouldn't dare to attempt. That could be the thing that makes her special, the way her bright young eyes scan the text, mind reading, analysing and debating what has been written.
That is it. Her unusually gifted mind.
But then they say, the special have the most to fear. And those who are rising...they have the furthest to fall. There is an ominous shadow cast over her, cast by some unknown entirety just waiting for the right moment to close in on its prey. For now, her soul shines like a pure candle, never flickering, but a time will come. The time when it is corrupted into blackness.
Until then, blissfully unaware of what her future holds, she reads on while the sun makes its passage along the sky.
The sound of footsteps rudely interrupt her, and she looks up to see Victoria Dartmoor. Victoria Dartmoor grins, then motions fir the rest of her small posse to cone over. Slowly, deliberately, she lowers her head until the two are eye to eye.
"Blueberry muffin." she says.
"Blueberry muffin" ducks her head down behind her book. "Can I help you?" she mumbles.
Victoria grins again, a predatory smile that lights up her face. "What book is THAT? The history, law and politics of Levanthia! Are you kidding?! Not even ny nanna reads that stuff, blueberry muffin!"
A drop of water splashes onto the pavement. "I-I thought it was quite interesting..."
"Yeah right. You're such a...a...freak muffin! Oh, that's a perfect new nickname for stupid blueberry muffin!" Victoria and her gang exchange high fives. While they are momentarily distracted, the blue haired girl drops her book and runs, shoulders heaving.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Her heart is pounding, lungs gasping.
Breath in. Breath out.
Feet flying across the cobblestones, desperate to escape the other five year olds.
She runs so fast that the world blurs around her, and for most of the time, her feet do not touch the ground: bringing her one step closer to flight.
The girl finally reaches her house (no different from the others around it) and, looking right and left, prepares to discreetly slide inside.
But something stops her.
Something seems...very wrong.
Cautiously, she stands on tiptoe to slide her key into the lock-
Don't be silly, it's just a stupid instinct, they're both fine
-and the door swings open, revealing a dark hallway lit by only a single, flickering bulb.
She takes a single step forwards and her feet become sticky.
Frowning, she touches her feet, both curious and unnerved at the same time. Her five year old mind is already racing to conclusions...
...when she brings her hand away coated in a bright crimson.