Chapter 1:
The Trip
The sunlit windows pierced my closed eyelids like a million flying daggers. I turned over to see where I had woken up this time a glowing green clock with the numbers 8:30 greeted me, "Crap!", I said cursing at myself, " How much long did I drink last night anyways?".My throbbing head responded angrily back at me,"Must've gotten here late...Oh well I better get up", I said to no one in particular.
The thought of forcing my stiffened body to move to move made me groan in parched throat burned my aching throat like red ice. I finally managed to drag my deadened limbs to the shower stall. The cold water stinged my pores like a thousand angered bees. "Oh..yeah", I said,"I don't have enough money to pay for warm water now", I added as a matter-of-factly. I stepped out of the unpleasant cold shower after a freezing trial of half-an-hour, and started brushing my tangled raven-colored hair.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror,my unusually pale skin made me look like a blood-thirsty zombie. I managed to wash my teeth without throwing up blood all over the place.
I grabbed my suitcase and was on my way off towards the front door of the apartment where my friends and teammates members of the Icebladers were waiting for me, we were departing for the first annual U.S.A. Beybalde tournament. Anyways, I was on my way down the street when Mrs. Haruna Tsusuki the owner of the apartments I lived in came running up to me with a worried look on her kind face.
"Mrs. Morrow I'm sorry but I can't let you go without you paying me this week's rent", she said an anxious look in her trouble worn light-brown eyes. " It's ok Mrs. Haruno you can take the rest of my belongings as payment as soon as I get back from this trip I promise I'll pay the rest". She looked indecisive for a second but then with a sight she said," Oh ok Miss Morrow but this is your last chance, If I didn't trust you so much I would have to call the police but...", she held my hand," I believe in you...", I smiled and nodded turning away when she held me back,"Oh honey I hope this trip will help you find what you're looking for", she said in whisper but with honest sincerity in her heart."Thanks for your kind thoughts and words Mrs. Haruna I promise I'll be back to pay you back everything you've done for me".
After sharing a warm hug I turned to depart not knowing what the future held for me or if I would come back victorious or defeated,I dearly from the bottom of my heart for the latter.
"Where in the world is she!!?", I yelled at my friend Andrea Thompson ,"She is really late man she better not be lying around drunk somewhere again" I added angrliy, but deep down inside i was truly worried about my about my friend Kristine Morrow and I seriously hoped she hadn't drinked again.I thought we were going to miss the flight when Kristine arrived garbed in her old black miniskirt and purple blouse.
"Where in the world have you been ?", I said running up to her " I'm sorry...." she said , " I drank again and-" My face wnet white with anger " WHAT!" she simply smiled apologetiaccly at me I was bearly gonna lecture her for her irresponsible behavior when Andy Thompson our team manager and analyst called out from behind me " Im sorry to interrupt you Miss. Goode but if we delay any loger we'll miss out plane" she added worriedly. I knew Andy was right and that she card about Kristine's drinking problem too but, I knew she was right. " You're right we have to hurry we have a whole afternoon to talk at the hotel, so without further ado we took off