Chapter 1 - Volterra City.

Volterra, it's beautiful, not like the bustling city of New York, where the streets are lined with loud, harebrained occupants. It upsets me to know that, I'll only be here until the end of the month. That this calm, peaceful serenity will wash away as soon as I board the plane back home. I love the city and the people –not that I can understand what they say- that live here. Mum and Dad are ungrateful of the beauty that confines these city walls. The way the buildings rise, sharpening sunlight and blocking it from alleyways. The way the small shutters of windows are painted brightly against the cinnamon coloured walls. The way the large fountain acquires the space in the middle of the gracious city. Volterra in all its beauty also paints a picture of danger in my overly imaginative mind. The place gave of a chill of demise. The beauty is not enough to eliminate my paranoia.

"Ashley, stop daydreaming and unpack!" my father's hoarse voice pulled me from my wandering reverie.

I looked up at his scornful expression, demanding my attention "Sorry, dad."

I stood, my body wavering in the immense heat. I walked to my impatient father.

–Sigh-

"Go upstairs and start unpacking your suitcase" he ordered, suffering from jet-lag, not that had any effect on his forever grumpy mood.

I hauled my suitcase upstairs, the heat makes everything twice as hard. I pulled it to the second floor of our holiday villa. My room for the month is a drastic yellow colour with paintings of yellow and orange sunsets, isn't yellow supposed to drive you insane? I know it will, the sheets are purple and yellow stripes. Whoever designed this was clearly just out of the asylum. I sighed internally, burning the image of this hideous room in my mind.

I strolled over to a green framed mirror, looking at myself. Looking at the long waist length light brown hair that framed abnormally pale skin, which held blue eyes. I am always told I am beautiful, but like every other teenage girl since the dawn of time, I complain about my appearance.

I ran over to the closet pulling out my brown plaid shorts and plain white t-shirt. 'I need to get out, I need to explore' I thought as I stumbled downstairs still hauling up my shorts.

"Dad!" I yelled, standing statuesque in the quaint living room. I heard padding as my father waddled his way through.

He had a suspicious look in his eye, inspecting my outfit. "Yeah?"

"Can I go out?" I asked even though I'm positive the answer will be no...

"Of course but don't be long, It's half twelve at night, already."

My smile became exuberant, but what I didn't understand is why it was so hot this late. Who cares, I get to break the chains that glue me to this tiny villa. I yanked on some brown suede boots and threw my body through the door, dashing like a convict from a jail.

* * * * *

I lay in my bed, still tired out from the walk I had taken last night. Feeling my eyes burn. Feeling my aching bones screech in pain, when I move the slightest. Outside the sun is concealed below the horizon. It's around four in the morning, I think? I risked my aching bones for a glance at the clock, 02:12. Or not around four. I rolled out of the bed, onto the floor. "ouch."

I slugged into the bathroom groggily, blasting the shower full power. I dried my hair, letting it fall to my waist. I pulled on a pair of frayed jean-shorts and a light blue t-shirt. I'll admit I looked really pretty but unfortunately no one would be awake to see. I tiptoed downstairs. At the bottom I took slow steps towards the door, one at a time until I reached it. I opened the door. The light breeze smacking me.

The path to the city square is narrow and bleak. The trees stare down at you, angrily. Watching and plotting how to eliminate you, as I've said I have a active imagination. I must carry a crazy gene from my mother, who I believe is mentally unstable.

I had been in a constant daydream, that I hadn't noticed I was now at the main fountain in front of the clock tour. I bore my eyes into the clock face, wishing time to pass.

"...Oh! This is so exciting..." "...Are you sure, this is right? I don't feel good about this..." "...I'm tired, thank you for making me get out of bed..." "That girls eyes are purple!..." "...Wow, a secret castle!..."

I turned to the blatant chatter to see a crowd of nearly a hundred people. I stood stunned, not noticing a blonde female approaching me. She had long blonde hair, and abnormally pale skin, paler than mine. Though the weirdest feature about her is her burgundy purple eyes, It's like the colour you get when you cover red with a thin blue. Her outfit was black and borderline sluttish but she pulls it off well.

"Would you care to accompany the tour, sweetie?" she had a honey sounding voice, something about her made me cringe inside. My instincts told me to run away screaming, but I've always been a curious teenager.

"Uh-y-yes" I stuttered gazing at her unusual eyes. She motioned for me to follow, and I reluctantly did, feeling the unease cripple me.

* * * * *

I joined on the back of the tour, still feeling uneasy about the situation. The woman led us through an alley and down stairs; everyone began to seem confused as she guided us through a sewer door and then a locked door. We stepped out into a large hallway. It was dark and sort of eerie. If I didn't want to act on my instincts before, I sure as hell wanted to now. The 'tour guide' 's stance was almost threatening as she glided towards a large steel metal door. There were low murmurs, coming from the tourists, they began to panic no longer believing what the beautiful blonde had promised them. The doors looked to weigh tons but the petite blonde merely pulled them open...

I know it's short, but the other chapters will be longer.

Cliff-hanger! Don't you love me? hehe. Come on you know you do!

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Love Leila'xx