Chapter 1 - A Dream

It has been this way since I can remember. I disappear for a few days, and nobody notices. Not that I have someone who could notice. Two corpses waiting for me at home. Home… A word so easily used, yet so misinterpreted. What is home anyways? How am I supposed to know a feeling I have never experienced? What is left inside me from a distant memory of happiness was a gaping hole I suspect will ever be filled.

For the countless time, I was lulled to sleep by those thoughts.

My surroundings were red, bright and screaming - blood red. Shadows grew from the ground, and with every inch added to their height, an inch of me disappeared. Sharp pain was all that I felt, almost like belt whippings. The silhouettes didn’t speak; they didn’t even spare me a glance. They mercilessly took every last bit of my body and soul, growing larger and larger, until I completely vanished…

I woke up a shaking and crying mess, almost falling from a tree branch that I was napping on. Yes, I know it’s weird. But, hey, if I’m comfortable here, who cares?

Taking out my phone to check the time, I noticed my reflection. It was something out of a horror movie. My brown hair was in knots, with all sorts of stuff in it. Leaves, smaller branches, and I’m afraid, bugs. There were dark bags under my eyes, reaching almost halfway down my face. God, I look like shit… And, it was almost two past midnight. Having in mind that I am here for three or four hours already, it might be my cue to leave. Despite the fact that it’s July, nights are still fairly chilly.

What I didn’t expect to find when I came down was a group of friends, obviously drunk, roaming around the schoolyard. There were two girls and four guys, and the presence of that many men made me uncomfortable. My presence was noticed, and they made their way to me.

“Hey, pwettyyy. W-Wanna hang out with us fow itty bitty?”

I started walking faster towards the direction of my house, wanting to get away from them as soon as possible. My plan was ruined by that slurring guy who grabbed my arm to stop me. As I was about to punch him, one of the girls intervened.

“Let her go!”

She pulled him back, and for an instant, I was stunned. There was dark brown hair flying everywhere, half covering her face. One blue eye that hasn’t been hidden by the hair shone brightly under the moonlight, almost emitting light of their own. It was an unforgettable scene. My fear was overshadowed by the admiration for my savior. She was maybe the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.

That guy stumbled over his own feet and planted his bottom in the concrete.

“Chiiiil. I wanted to-“A hiccup interrupted his words. “To invite the girl to come with us.”

He received a smack to the head from that beautiful lady.

“I am so, so sorry for this. He isn’t usually this way. Had too much to drink I guess.”

She seemed perfectly sober, so, I thanked her, and while I had the chance, I got as far away from there as I could.