Fractured
Chapter One: Ghostly Visitor

I can't stop something once it's set in motion. People always tell me that I can stop it, that I just need more self-control. Although, how can I stop something that I shouldn't be doing until after I've done it? I'm not saying as though I've killed anyone, but I've made a lot of mistakes, and it hurt a lot of people around me. Everything happened too quickly; I lost control of what I was doing and who I was hurting. I never wanted any of this to happen. Because, in the end, all I did was hurt myself more. And this time, I have the scars to prove it.

"Max?" My mother's voice rung throughout the house, seeking out my ears. My back was pressed firmly against the roof, breathing in the cool night air. It was quiet up here. "Max." She called out again, knocking on the door to my room below. It always sounded that she was searching for me, like she was lost herself. I swallowed a lump in my throat and squeezed my eyes shut. A moment later, I stood up and edged my way to my room, slipping in through my window. The light in my room flickered eerily. It was always the same thing. I shuffled towards the door, grabbing the handle tightly, reluctant to open it. It happened again and again, she couldn't leave me alone. I sighed, turning the handle and easing the door open.

No one was there.

I covered a sob with my hand and slammed the door shut. The light was fine now. Was she all a part of my imagination? Was I going crazy? I jumped on my bed, hiding under the dark blue quilt. It's been a month now. A month since she passed away. A month I've been on my own. Two weeks ago, she started visiting. It was always her calling out my name, trying to find out where I was. The first night, I called Fang over and cried in his arms while he whispered soothing words to me, telling me she wasn't real. But she was. She sounded so real. Was I really not hearing her knock on my door? The second night I had Nudge over. Except, mom didn't call out my name that time. I figured out she only does it when I'm home alone. It was only twelve o'clock so I picked up my phone from my bedside table and dialed Nudge.

"Max?" She picked up on the third ring with a yawn.

"Crap, did I wake you?" I pinched myself on the leg.

I heard the rustle of sheets and the quiet 'tap tap tap' of a keyboard before she replied. "Nah, I was just doing the English assignment, what's up?"

"Want to sleep over for the night? I can give you a lift to school tomorrow?" I bribed her.

"Yeah sure, as long as help me with this assignment."

"Done, see you in ten." I pressed the end button and dropped my phone next to me. It was weird living alone without mom now. She'd left behind a hefty amount of money which I would use to cover the bills for the next year or so until I found myself a job. I've considered selling the house and moving in somewhere smaller, but I wasn't ready to let it all go just yet. There were too many memories in this house. I've been living here all my life, with my mom and dad. Dad passed away when I was six, and twelve years later, mom was gone as well. Now it's just me and her ghost.

I stared at the ceiling until I heard the front door open. I'd given Nudge a spare key so she could come and go as she pleased. She made her way up to my room, opening my door and letting herself in. "Do you have any idea how scary it is walking outside at this time?" I couldn't help but grin at her.

"Nudge, you're like a two minute walk away." She flicked her curly brown hair over her shoulder as she made her way to my bed, dumping her messenger bag.

"A lot can happen in two minutes, Max, I could've died." She pulled her laptop out of her bag and placed it on the bed. "So, I need your help."

"The assignment was too easy, Nudge, how could you need help!" The assignment had to be on the feelings portrayed in the play 'Romeo and Juliet', to be exact. "Did you not read it at all?"

"I watched the movie," She trailed off while staring at the screen. She brightened up. "I know, I'll just copy it off the internet." I brought my hand to my face and smacked my forehead.

"Plagiarism, Nudge. They will know if you do that."

"I know that, Max. I'll just find one and rewrite it in my own words, simple as that. Speaking of rewriting, guess what I got for my History assignment that I also re-wrote?"

"An F for cheating?"

"Nope, I got a B+! Even Mr Stephenson was surprised." A grin worked its way to her face. "Oh and also, we need to plan what we're going to wear for prom! And you will have to find yourself a date because Fang is way too gay for you." Ever since Fang came out of the closet, he's been popular among the girls, shame he didn't date any.

"Hey, I can take Fang if I want to, he can be straight for a night." I put my hand to my chest to mock being offended. I raised my hand to my forehead. "Oh Fang, Fang, wherefore art thou Fang. "Deny thy sexuality, refuse thy boys." Nudge let out string of laughter, almost falling over the bed. The thoughts of mom disappeared from my mind for only a moment.

"You're still not taking Fang, even if he is straight for the night," She replied while still laughing, getting back to doing her assignment. I pouted before standing up and walking over to the light switch.

"Mind if I turn off the light?" She shook her head, eyes focused on the screen while she stared typing furiously. "You know," I made my way back to bed after turning off the light, "You should have started it three weeks ago."

"I know but I was too busy on finding a dress for prom. Do you have any idea how stressful it is picking one out? You need the right color and it has to fit perfectly, then you need to figure out what jewelry you're going to wear with it and how you're going to wear your hair an-" I cut her off with my mouth.

"Nudge. Prom isn't or another two months." I removed my hand from her mouth.

"I know, but, I like to be prepared."

A smirk creeped up onto my face. "Hey, what if a new dress came out that is so much better than the one you bought?"

She looked up. "There is no possible way tha-" She froze and started shaking her head. "It's not possible, that's like the ultimate torture. They wouldn't do that to me, right Max?" She closed her laptop and grabbed me by the shoulders.

"I will laugh my ass off if that happens." I giggled at the thought. She moved her laptop to my bedside table and we both lay down next to each other in bed, staring up at the ceiling.

"You heard her again tonight, didn't you?" She was talking about mom.

I closed my eyes. "Yeah, she did." Nudge let out a breath of air.

"Do you think you should talk to someone about it?"

"Not yet."

She didn't understand what I had been going through. She is my best friend, that much is true, but she would never be in my situation. No one has. I felt alone in this, even with my friends around me. It was a riddle I couldn't solve. Nudge tried her best to console me whenever I felt sad or when I called her over. She could pity me, but never fully understand. I turned on my side so I was facing towards my window. It was still open, letting in the cool breeze.

"Goodnight, Nudge."

"Night, Max."

I closed my eyes, wishing that everything was still the same. I wanted to wake up in the morning to smell moms freshly baked cookies in the kitchen. I could remember racing downstairs to grab one before they even cooled, burning my hands and mouth in the process. Mom would then hand me a glass of cold water with a wide smile while I drained it dry. My lips tilted into a smile before dropping back down. I would never see that smile in person again. Nor would I smell her freshly baked cookies in the morning. I couldn't go to her and talk to her whenever I wanted.

Not now. Not ever.

Hope you enjoyed the first chapter/prologue of 'Fractured', I intend to update every second day or so, so please read and review because it really helps out. Thank you!