hi! I gave up on this fic a while ago... but now i'm back at it, i should never have given up writing so please, just read a bit, then leave a comment, even if its to say you don't like it. please though. Don't let me give up writing again i need this, it keeps me going.
And so... chapter 1 commence!
Snow covered the ground outside Summer Spring Lodge in the pristine mountains of Northern New York. The land steeped upward forming crevices and the high peaks of the Adirondacks. Trees rose high reaching for the clouds and brushing the blue-grey skies of early fall. The brush scattered across the rocky ground, thinning near a gravel road winding up the mountain side.
Nestled between two mountains or perhaps, a dip in a rather broad one, the building rose four stories, looking out over the valley below. Sheek and modern, built with steep angles, curves and river rock mixed with a verity of woods to hide it away in the forested backdrop. A small creek from an unknown source ran beneath a little footbridge and past the home, almost hidden by the landscape. A bright red truck sat on the gravel driveway, old and rusty from years of use in the harsh winter.
A group of people moved up the walkway, taking in the amazing views surrounding them. More than once someone would stop to inspect something more closely, only to be ushered onward by the rest.
"I told you guys this would be the best place for the meeting!" Exclaimed a rather boisterous young man, who appeared to be slightly older than nineteen. Pulling on the ends of his bomber jacket he moved up the porch to unlock the front door. "In you go!" he gestured to the people following him. they crowed up onto the front porch which wrapped around the lodge on the left before dropping off.
"Is there any pasta?" another young man, with brown hair and asked dropping his bags at the door. Followed closely by two companions: a tall pale man with golden blonde hair and a much shorter Japanese man in traditional clothing.
"Feli! We just ate lunch an hour ago," the tall man said looking down at his friend before leading the three inside.
"I think there's some in the pantry," Alfred whispered to Feliciano so the others wouldn't hear.
"Grazie!" The two ignored the blonde's deathly glare.
Two more people came up through the door. The shorter of the two had bright green eyes and incredibly unkempt eyebrows and messy blonde hair. The other man was taller, with long wavy blonde hair that fell across his shoulders. Bright blue eyes greeted Alfred as the two approached.
"I got you some scones" Alfred addressed the shorter man who merely glared at him before walking past muttering something about a "stupid git" as he did so. A quick apology came as his companion chased after.
Ivan stood by, watching as everyone went inside. When Alfred had told him they would be staying at a place called "summer" he had hoped it to be warm. Not with snow already on the ground this soon into the season. Still, it wasn't anything like the cold he had to endure every year at his home, were it snowed all year round in some places. Not like the cold that even now, so far from it, he could not escape.
Stood by and watched as the people around him moved around: talking laughing with friends. Hugging their coats a bit tighter to protect themselves from the frigid air; but knowing that warmth was just a few feet away inside by the crackling fire. Standing and watching what he wanted to be part of but knew he never could.
The only reason he was even here was because of the world meeting being held in few days, and another two within the next few weeks. A world conference after that. He'd have to be here with them for at least three months. Ivan was unsure of weather he'd even make it that long.
"Hey Ivan!" Alfred called. One person, at least, who wasn't scared of him. At least not as far as outward appearances went. "You coming in here or what?"
Ivan nodded to him, picking up the plain grey suitcase that lay at his feet. He walked up to Alfred, "where is my room?"
Alfred held up his hand, offering to take Ivan's coat and scarf, "just go up stairs and pick whichever you want." He smiled, pointing up the stairs.
"Thank you."Ivan walked past, leaving the shorter man standing at the door, looking outside.
The interior of the building was just as impressive as the exterior. The décor was modern and sheek but looked like it belonged. The colors on the walls and the filled bookshelves, even though the house was new it looked like someone had been living here a life time. It felt to Ivan like the house was part of the mountain. It felt different. Not wrong or anything but just…. Different. Like it could be a home.
But I'd never belong here, Ivan thought walking up the grand staircase. The banister was smooth and no longer had its brand-new gloss. Rather was worn and well used. Not in a place like this.
The stairs led into a small hall-way. Wooden doors leading off into different rooms. The wall paper crinkled a bit in a corner. A floor board rose up making a small bump in the carpet. Tiny details people wouldn't ordinarily notice. Things that popped out with striking detail to Ivan.
None of the rooms on the second floor held any interest to him. They were too big and flashy. Too bright, too friendly. They reminded him of somewhere he'd rather not remember. He went up another floor. Then another.
Finally on the fourth floor he found it. There was only one bedroom on the level. The rest of the floor given to storage, the observatory and two small, empty rooms. He walked into the bedroom and looked around. Simple and small and maybe a little plain . Yet they held an elegance that the others lacked.
Small, yes. But also cozy and warm. Plain and simple maybe but it was inviting. It had potential. Ivan liked it. He smiled just a bit looking around at the furniture. Beige walls that were unevenly painted with a bed pushed into one coroner. A wooden desk by the window that looked out onto the trees. A small painting of a mountain hung above the dresser.
Ivan looked out the window feeling a slight twinge of unease. The trees seemed a bit…. Off. Not quite dark but….
Shaking his head at himself Ivan turned away to unpack.
Annnnd there! there's the first chapter. a lot more depressing than it was in the first draft...or second... this is the fourth... i feel like it still isn't good enough... (actually not so much depressing now that i've gone back and revised it some more. Just a few added details but this will probably be my least fav. chapter.)
So anywho... sorry if it's a bit rushed at places, that'll probably be were i started and stopped.
but really, just take time to say one stinking word. i want to know why you read or don't read it! just one little button. LOOK! there it is! right down there! go on. go review!