I am cold. I am scared. I have given up all hope.
My frail body trembles as I take uncertain steps. Where shall I go? Is there really a place I can hide?
With every step I take, the piercing rhythm of my pumping heart gets louder and louder in my head. It makes me feel so dizzy. I can feel the blood rushing to my head and draining out of it- sometimes I think I am just imagining it.
I look around nervously every five seconds, with every step I take even; I do not feel safe.
I can feel the weakness of my body; I feel so drained and devoid of any energy. I have to stop soon. I have to rest.
As soon as I allow myself to think a thought of defeat, my body takes control of me. I stumble and fall to the ground- but I know I have left myself open and vulnerable to anything and everything. I must find shelter. I need to be safe. I realise that there is a little glimmer of hope left in me. But the only thing that gives me encouragement or reason to carry on is my precious life. I cannot give up. I need to survive.
I drag myself to where the secluded street lays in shadows- maybe I will be safe- for a little while at least. I try to huddle into the farthest possible corner. But I know I am trying to fool myself. I am trying to keep the little will I have to live; because I know in reality, I will never be safe.
I realise my hands are so cold, they have turned white from the numbness. I cannot feel anything. I bring my knees to my heaving chest, as a little child would, and hide my head in my weak arms. Maybe if I cannot see them, they will not be able to see me.
I can feel the dryness of my sore, cracked lips; they hurt me. My limbs seem to be on fire. They are screaming at me to surrender; they know if I do, they will receive the ultimate gift of peace. But I cannot allow myself to give up. No! I will not bow to their wishes.
Even as I think this, I can feel my mind slipping away from consciousness. But even in this state, I am not allowed any peace.
The distinctive sound of muffled footsteps snaps me out of my misty thoughts. I know my brain is failing to activate properly. I start to cry lone tears, but my tears do not fall. They remain frozen against the cold of my cheek and will remain there, forever. I feel as though my tears reflect my poor condition. I am a frozen statue too. Frozen; from the cold and the ever-growing fear in me. I am very afraid. I know the end is not too far away.
My mind is starting to betray me; I can feel it. I cannot tell whether what I am seeing is the truth. The unreal has evaded my thoughts and has hidden reality from me. Am I really seeing the dark figure approaching me? Did I really hear those footsteps? Am I imagining things? Am I going insane?
Hysteria. I know I am on the verge of uncontrollable hysteria. It is bubbling inside me- ready to burst out the minute I let go; and I know I am loosing my hold on it. I can feel it.
I keep my head lowered. The footsteps are dangerously close. I don't want to see the face of my death. I hear echoes. So many echoes. I don't understand. What is happening? I feel frightened. Frightened. Somebody is here. No! Please. Help me. I can't think. Need to breathe. Breathe…My hands. So numb. My face. So cold. My heart. Too slow. Drums. Slow. Footsteps. Echoes. Arms. Pain. Air. Cold air. Sharp. Ice. Slam. Body. Aches. Bruised. Water. Need water. Too dry. Something…stooping. Shadow. My face. My body. Aches. Someone- my hair. Pain. Ripples. Hurt. Can't see. Don't want to. See. Breath-neck! ……pain! Too much. Blood. Running. Red. Sticky. Warm. Eyes open. Monster! Sharp. Sharp. Hurt. Dead. Need water. Need air…smothering…dying…blood…black…eyes…hole…black…everything…fading…hurts…pain………help………m-
Is it a dream or a memory?…
The loud metallic drums and guitars of Slipknot blared into the small room- where Chia Stone lay twisting and turning in her bed- and jolted her awake from the disconcerting dream she had been living. No, it wasn't a dream, but a full fledged nightmare. A nightmare that still lingered in her mind…the feel of cold…the ripples of pain…those monstrous teeth…the growing fear…
Chia snapped out of her dream-like trance and thanked Slipknot profusely for waking her up and bringing her back to the real world.
The nightmare had been so vivid and for more than a second she had thought it to be real; she was never so glad to see the disgusting flowery wallpaper that covered the whole of her room.
Thankfully, as she awoke more the memory of the nightmare was leaving her head and her body. Chia took a deep breath and shuddered at the thought of her mind playing cruel tricks while she was asleep. And for once in the history of Chia's life, she was actually glad (deliriously happy) to be awake.
Paige Stone glumly spooned another mouthful of soggy cereal into her disinterested mouth, as she stared off into space. Her heart just was not set on eating today- not that it had been for the past few days. Nowadays, everything seemed to taste the same to her- not even the thought of the most exquisite chocolate could arouse even a spot of excitement in her- it was that bad.
She didn't know what was wrong with her but she knew enough to know that something was really wrong. She felt so weird lately and so…devoid of everything. That was another thing: sometimes she didn't even know what she was feeling.
Everything- the whole world- seemed like this big, black void, and she was lost somewhere in the depths of all that darkness- waiting for something…someone…
Paige wrinkled her nose as she spooned in some more cereal; it was an unwritten law in the house: eat breakfast or forget about dinner as well- and even though Paige wasn't up to eating, she didn't want to starve. That was the only reason she even attempted to eat something that tasted very much like wet cardboard (she knew this for sure due to a little 'accident' in her childhood).
Well, you could say it was out of respect too. Her aunt and uncle had cared for her throughout her life, looked after her and loved her like their own daughter- it was much more than her own parents had done for her. She owed them all of her gratitude, her entire life and a whole load more. She tried to repay them by returning the favour and being an ideal child; it just didn't seem to work sometimes.
Paige sighed wistfully; brooding would not help her in anyway. It definitely wasn't going to help get rid of the sensation of emptiness that continued to grow inside her. She truly was a lost case.
Paige circled her spoon, swirling and mixing the cloudy milk and stray cereals together- so fast that she created a miniature whirlpool. Just watching the blur of colours and the consistent motion made her light-headed and dizzy. Her head started to pound and she bent closer to the bowl, which seemed to draw her towards it. As she continued staring at the whirlpool she had created, she thought she heard snatches of distant voices.
"…-not your fault."
"You don't understand."
"He was our dad."
"Try to understand why…please"
"Look, I d-"
"Wait…shhh.
Run. Go, go, go. Run. Ath-"
Paige jerked her head back. She looked around feeling dazed and thankfully found herself back in the kitchen. The killer headache was fading away, leaving just a strange feeling at the pit of her stomach. She suspiciously looked at the milk bowl- which seemed normal enough.
Her heart was racing as she took in deep breaths. She had no idea what had just happened- it was too weird for her to fathom.
Paige stood up leaning on the table, still having the effects of the light- headedness. Briskly, she walked out of the kitchen not even bothering to clear up. She looked at her abandoned breakfast one last time before heading out for school.
Something was seriously wrong with her.
"Alright everyone, settle down."
The request had no effect on the noisy class, who seemed to completely ignore their teacher as they told each other all the latest 'goss'. They seemed to chatter away like monkeys- it wasn't even as if they had come back from a holiday or anything! They had just seen each other on Friday!- and no doubt yammered away on the phone for hours in the weekend.
The substitute teacher sighed- what had he expected anyway? His new class to welcome him with open arms, showering him with kisses and gifts? He didn't think so. Suddenly the great weather didn't seem so great anymore. He found his bright approach and optimistic thoughts for the day rapidly leaving his mind. A loud knock startled him out of his thoughts.
Unheard, the substitute teacher walked up to the door. There was a short conversation at the door before the sub came back inside followed by a girl- no doubt a new addition to his already noisy class. He cleared his throat, which surprisingly seemed to work, as everyone seemed to quieten down- or maybe they had finally decided to acknowledge the presence of two new faces in their class.
"First of all, I would like to introduce myself. I'm Mr Dickys," he paused for sniggers, but none came, "and I will be taking over as your tutor for a short while. I'm sure we will get along fine." Blank faces- lots of bored, blank faces.
"Secondly, there will be a new member (apart from myself) added to your class. This is Athena Illiescu." All eyes turned towards the new girl, he wished her well.
"Would anyone like to volunteer to take care of her and show her around for a few days?" He looked hopefully towards the class- he hoped he didn't have to pick anyone.
Thankfully, a dark-haired girl at the back raised her hand. "OK, Athena, um…." He realised he didn't know anyone's name.
"Chia," the saviour of the day supplied helpfully. He smiled gratefully at her.
"Ok, Chia will show you around the school. Why don't you sit next to her for today and we will allocate a proper seat for you tomorrow."
And so Michael Dickys' morning was spent introducing himself, other people and blundering about the school searching for room whatever. It really wasn't fun to be a teacher at times.
Paige looked at the willowy girl standing next to her cousin, who had volunteered to look after her.
It was no surprise; Chia had a tendency of being really friendly to everyone- which resulted in numerous friends.
The new girl was pretty in her own way. She reminded Paige of someone, but she couldn't quite put her finger on who.
She looked at the girl and realised that she seemed really downcast. Her posture said it all; her head was bent, her shoulders slumped and she looked tired- maybe she had had a long ride coming here?
She didn't know whether it was the fact that the girl was new, or that she seemed constraint but Paige instantly wanted to know more about her. There was a mysterious aura about her, her chocolate brown eyes seemed to be afraid of something. Paige didn't know why but she felt drawn towards the new girl, Athena, as if….she shared a connection with her. Her day had started out pretty strange and it didn't seem to be getting any normal- Paige wondered, could anything possibly happen that could freak her out more?
Author's note:Wohooo! I managed to get the next chapter up in less than a month! I am so proud of myself! Anyway just want to say, I am not particularly marvellous at writing dialogue, so I was putting it off till later- hence the first two chapters filled with nothing but stretched out descriptions. Anyway thankyou to every one who reviewed:
Dogs die in hot cars: Shut up! You will never outgrow you stupidness, darling. Anyway, I'm glad you liked little Theo but I do not appreciate the fact that you had to start feeling stupid while revieing my story. Cold voice- not a man. :D
Mental Twitch: Thanks...I think.I don't feel like talking to you right now. We'll deal with this later. gives mental a mean look.
Lacthryn18: Thanks a lot for reviewing- I'm glad someone liked my descriptions! Hope you like this chapter as much, if not more. ;)
Delirium's Child: Thanks for reviewing again. I'm glad you're hooked and lo! you can sympathize with Theo's soulmate in person! Thanks for the compliment :D
Ok, guys, tell me what you think of this chapter: review. Expect the next chpater in about a month's time; I'm doing a monthly update- lets see if I can keep it up. Anyway, adios, I'm off to do other things. Places to be. Things to see. Stuff to do. People to kill. ;-)