Chapter I

"Underneath the echoes, buried in the shadows, there you were." – Kyle Wesley ft. Dani Jayde, When the Darkness Comes (cover)

I darted down the use-to-be visible dirt path, but now that winter has arrived it has been covered by the crisp, glistening snow. But I've ran through there enough times know where it is, and where it's led me.

"Stop, thief!" A shopkeeper shouted as he chased after me.

The corners of my lips curled upwards forming into a wicked grin thinking how far this shopkeeper has come to try and stop me. This guy has come farther than anyone else, I had to give him credit. Although just like everyone they eventually give up once the forest devours me and they see the multiple scattered footprints that led several different ways. I wasn't stupid, I used the snow to my advantage.

I quickly dove behind a boulder, bringing the backpack that had been loosely hanging by my shoulder to my chest. I rested my head against the cold stone behind me, closing my eyes to focus on the sound of crunching snow that was drawing near. It abruptly stopped, then there was a frustrated grunt, and not long after that the footsteps faded away from where it came from.

"Not today, not ever." I panted the words out quietly, with a grin still on my face.

Once I caught my breath I adjusted the floppy grey beanie on my head and was back on my feet.

I slipped through the iron gates that were rusted and slowly falling apart. They weren't going to hold up very much longer. They circled the perimeter of the tall, dome shaped building ahead with a metal engraved sign beside the double doors that said Planetarium. It was abandoned with its boarded up windows and doors. The only door that wasn't boarded up was an emergency exit tucked away around back. Not even I was sure for how long this place had been like this but it didn't matter to me for it was my home.

Playing a quick game of limbo with one of the wooden boards that blocked the doorway, once inside I walked into the foyer. I flicked on the lights which somehow seemed to still work in its condition and there, in the centre of the rounded room a large globe greeted me as it sits upon its pedestal. My hand gently touched the dusty sphere leaving behind my hand print. Through the cracks of boards over the windows the shinning of the moons rays caught my attention and I immediately rolled my eyes.

"Oh, here we go." I sighed and dragged my feet as I climbed up the spiral stair case that lead me to a theatre room with rows of cushioned seats and a huge telescope looking up into the ceiling.

Near the telescope I flicked a switch that opened the ceiling and revealed the vibrant white moon. I took a seat in the front row, taking my beanie off my head to release my thick head of hair. Long brown tangled strands were all over the place, but with the presence of the moon before me I quickly pushed them behind my ears. "I know what you're going to say, Manny." My voiced echoed the empty room as I crossed my arms.

There was silence for a few minutes.

I rubbed my forehead and shook my head. "Well what do you want me to do? I can't help it."

Silence again, and I placed the backpack on my lap to dig out what that shopkeeper had been chasing me for. "I only took a couple things, it's no big deal." I shrugged and hauled out a couple bag of chips, a six-pack of Coca-Cola cans, and a small box of matches. "How else do you want me to- Oh no, don't- Manny-Would you just-" I let out an irritated groan and shoved everything in the bag. "Well, this conversation is over, good morning, Manny." In the distance the sun was slowly rising and with a flick of the same switch next to the telescope the ceiling closed.

I made my way back down stairs, past the globe and into another room that was much smaller. It used to be an office but now with its smell of burnt wax and dust it was now my bedroom. Blankets piled up in the corner next to some bookshelves, half melted candles on the desk and windowsill, and papers taped to the walls that showed drawings of characters Manny had told me silly stories about, and constellations that Manny and I would point out as I looked through the telescope. I didn't know if Manny was just part of my imagination or if I gone completely insane, but knowing, real or not, there was someone else with me, it made me feel less alone in the world.

I took the box of matches out from the bag and lit all the candles, then curled up in the corner of the room with my blankets and stared at the flickering flames in the distance. With the room being so dark, and the little fires they reminded me of stars in the night sky. As those thoughts filled my head my eyelids were closing and soon enough I was sleeping dreamlessly.