Such a childish fear, but it made so much sense to have. The dark was not a friend to the living, daemons crept about in the shadows, their eyes glowing with bloodlust. Their voices bouncing 'bout one's mind, until it struck your very core and froze you in place. Children had the right idea; the dark should be feared. But that sad truth was that there were monsters even in the light, and they wore the masks of those around us. Nowhere was safe, not until you were dead.
I sighed, crumbling the paper under my hand and throwing it across my room to the trash can. Though it hit the rim of it and fell to the floor. Common sense said to move the trash can closer, but I was busy trying to get this sketch to look right. I just couldn't seem to get it right. And I wasn't putting the pencil down until the sketch looked decent at the very least. Slipping my hand into the drawer of the desk that was cracked open, I felt around for the small package of gum. I found myself so often chewing my tongue when I drew, leaving it with sores and wounds. So, my solution had become chewing gum, it was better than chewing on my pencils, though I still did that. But I claim that to be a nervous habit.
Trying once more with the paper, I gave a huff. I just couldn't get the eyes to be the same size, and the nose was still looking funny. With a huff I put the pencil down and got up, crumpling the paper and picking up the trash on the floor. I was not a good shot, and today had been a good day with my aim. Once all the trash was where it should have been I looked around my small apartment. It was nice for one person, and the rent wasn't horrible. Granted the area wasn't great but I didn't have any troubles so far thankfully. Quickly at the thought, I knocked on a piece of wood. Superstition, I know, but I hated the thought of jinxing myself. With a grumble of discomfort, I looked to see I was still wearing pants and made quick work of taking them off, as well as my bra. With both articles of clothing off, I rolled my shoulders. A sigh of content escaping my lips, feeling the stress and discomfort fade. I was not a fan of pants, but they were better than dresses.
Don't get me wrong I will wear them, but not a fan. I'm not really into the girly things in life, I like video games and comics. Lately, I had gotten into this one on the phone called King's Knight. It was entertaining, to say the least when it came to killing time. Still, I always had a fondness for the slice of life styled games. Going back to my desk I went to retrieve said object, with a light tap waking it up and checking the time. It was also when the date hit me. Today was the signing of the peace treaty, how could I forget? Oh, that's right, I have a horrid memory. Granted I had a photographic memory, I could recall a face or a landmark, but Gods forbid it to be a name of something/someone or have anything to do with words. When it came to meeting new people names had a way of being forgotten in record time. And for information, I was hopeless. I was lucky I made it through school with above average grades. I wasn't your straight A student, but I did often get B's and C's, sometimes a couple A's. I was great at science, but English was my downfall.
Quickly I moved to the television and grabbed the remote to flick it on, to watch the News cover the historic event. This would mean the end of the war and peace for our King. While I didn't know him, my mom had been a big fan of his, having a childhood crush on the man. Wishing he'd fall for a commoner like her, sweep her off her feet. My mom had been a funny one, but then again wasn't that the dream of most girls? Find themselves a prince charming to sweep them away to wonderland?
Granted I wasn't much for that, my mom always said I was weird like that. But I'm fine with it, it makes me unique. But it still didn't stop girls from asking about a dream guy. I just always say a nice guy, who won't treat me like trash, they'd be supportive and love me. I'd treat them the same way. I don't care about money, while it makes life easier, I wouldn't mind living in a cardboard box if it meant they loved me truly. Most girls didn't get it, but some did. Most were for looks and money, I was more personality, but I'll admit, looks played into it too sometimes. But a shit personality was a complete turn off for me, I refuse to date an asshole.
Pulling myself from my thought and I looked at the king on tv, and my heart ached for him. He looked so much older than he was told to be, and it seemed he needed a brace for his leg. I prayed quietly to myself that he might find peace after this. Afterward, I got up to grab a glass of water when I felt the ground shake. Looking at the Television I felt my eyes widen, right before it got cut off there was an explosion and yelling. A crawling cold settled into my heart. What just happened? I thought we were going to have peace! I felt numb, a humming in my body. I couldn't breathe and started to panic. I felt the fear grip my mind, but not before I felt the earth shake more, dust falling from the ceiling causing me to cough. This place wasn't built for bombs shaking the ground. Quickly I grabbed my backpack that held my art stuff and ran to my room grabbing clothes and throwing on a pair of pants and a bra. Then to the kitchen to grab bottles of water and jerky. I didn't know where I'd go after this, and this was better than no food. Pushing everything down and zipping it shut I ran to the bathroom grabbing a brush and toothbrush and toothpaste, shoving them into the front pockets of the bag. Grabbing my phone and shoving it in my pockets along with my wallet, I grabbed my backpack and jacket that was near the door and ran out of the building as it shook once more. I had to hold onto the railing going down the stairs scared they'd fall out from under my feet. When the shaking stopped I continued down the stairs and saw a small bundle wailing. It seemed the last shake had released the floodgates for the gangs in the area, and the child's mother was there with a gaping hole in her chest, blood pooling around her. Looking around I walked over to the small bundle. It looked like the mother had done her best to hide them, even gave her life. Sadly, the sickos around here only wanted her, leaving the child motherless. Looking around I took a shaky breath; the mother still had a diaper bag on her. They'd probably just come back from the park.
My mind told me to run, but leaving a child like this here, to hell with that. But maybe that was the maternal side of me, wouldn't be shocked, I'd always been a sucker for children. Peeling the bag away from the cold body I tried not to gag on the scent and sight of being so close to death. Putting it over my own shoulder and grabbing the baby I left the building as another rumble happened. The small one cried and softly I tried humming bouncing them in my arms. It helped a bit, but I knew it takes time. Babies always knew the difference in heartbeats and voices. I just hoped the child would grow used to me in time. Looking around the streets I made my way about, dodging every moving body, and if I heard cries of pain I stayed clear of that area. Insomnia wasn't safe anymore, and I had to get out of here, no it wasn't just me anymore. But that only drove me more. I know I should check on my friends, but if they saw me they'd understand. I always played the motherly role. Honestly, I heard some of the guys bet I'd be the child hoarder or cat. Yep, they thought I'd become the crazy cat lady, or that mother that you swore just gave birth to an entire tribe of children. But they only meant it with love.
Though the stomping of metal made me go ridged and look around in panic. I had heard of the horror tales of the MTs, they struck fear into any sane person. Looking down I noticed a manhole and lifted the lid and crawled down the ladder and placed the child on a ledge before climbing up slightly to slide it back into place. I knew this place wasn't ideal, but down here, it was safe facing rats and sewage then death up above. I was just happy I wore my boots and had packed my tennis shoes. Grabbing the child and pulling the blanket over their nose I continued my way out. Mentally praying I wasn't getting lost and dooming two lives. Shifting through the water and waste I held the baby close to my chest, humming to them and ignore every sane sense in me to throw up from the smell. The baby wasn't even content but wasn't crying, only whimpering. Finally, I saw a little light and when I looked I saw a pipe, leading to a pond of some sort. I could hear commotion above me but couldn't see any troops. So, I guessed it was for the road above me. I knew where I was because I came this way once before. Not far was an outlook where you could see Insomnia. I tried to draw it once but never finished it. I had a nasty habit of doing that, leaving my art half finished and never touched again.
Taking a deep breath, I sighed, the water was deep where I was, but it was our only way out unless I wanted to try and find another way, and personally, I didn't want to risk it or go back into the smelly sewage. My clothes were bad enough now. Looking at the child I looked around and sighed. How to get out of here, keep the child dry, and our stuff. Granted I had a plastic backpack, too many times had I been out in the rain to get my supplies ruined, finally, I just invest in it to save money in the long haul. But the diaper bag was cloth and had a cute little teddy bear print on it. Letting out a sigh I set my bag down taking my jacket off and wrapping the child, then unzipped the bag to place them in it. Putting my pack back on and lifting the child a bit higher, to my head level I got into the water. It wasn't pleasant at all, it was dark with gunk, and cold. But I waded through it, it was a bit of a challenge with the water up to my chest, but when I reached the "dock" of the pond I put the child on it first before climbing up myself. Wringing out my hair and clothes the best I could I took the jacket off the child and put it back on to give me some sort of warmth. Looking around I sighed, finally looking in the bag to find empty bottles, and formula mix made sense for a mother on the go. Diapers, baby powder, change of clothes, and a few chewing toys with a binky. Judging the fact, I saw no baby food I'd say this child wasn't even a year yet. Sad, but maybe a good thing, it wouldn't be too disheartening for the child.
Taking a deep breath to steady myself I put everything back into the bag like how it had been and zip it up. Getting my stuff together I picked the child up and started on my way up slowly. Looking, and listening for the heavy metallic steps or MTs. They were the common troops in this war from what I knew, but also most armors had metal on it, and moving it made a sound. Being sneaky in armor wasn't easy, and I don't think Niflheim cared for stealth from the looks of it right now. But the sounds of a roaring engine caught my ear and I was quick to duck for cover holding the child close to protect them. Thankfully it seems they fell asleep, tired from crying before. Knowing children though, it doesn't take long before their up and at it again. When the car passed, and I couldn't hear it anymore I continued out and looked back to see they had made a checkpoint. Thankfully I wasn't behind it, and I managed to sneak my way out onto the open road. A sigh escaping me as I looked down. "We have a long, and dangerous way to go." And with that, I set off to make my way to the nearest outpost.