A Silent Scream *MCR fanfic*

2

This day passed exactly as the previous had. Foggy hazes of chatting students and barely there friends. The teachers taught, the students fought. It seemed as though this was the way in which I'd be living my entire life, simply waiting for the clear air of my own company once again be available for me to breathe.

However, the instant I returned to my house after a long day at school I realized that this thought of mine wouldn't be in any way accurate. For I hadn't reached my house as much I had reached the smoldering remains of what used to be my home. A fire truck was there, sitting uselessly on the side of the street. There was also an ambulance, which was speeding away towards what I assumed would be the nearest hospital.

The emotional impact hadn't hit me yet, and I intended to stay that way, as I believed I understood how incredibly painful that impact would be. So instead of doing the logical thing, approaching someone there and explaining who I was, I strolled by the house, pretended to be too engrossed in the music pounding through my skull to even notice anything about my surroundings.

Once I was out of their view I just ran. I didn't know where I was going, and I didn't know why I was running but I just needed to. Eventually I found myself at a playground. It wasn't one of the vibrantly colored, interesting playgrounds with a multitude of separate fixtures. No, this particular playground was worn down, old and squeaky. This playground was the kind of thing that could become personal. And I believed that letting this playground become my escape was a logical plan. So I inspected every inch of it, wanting to know it better than I had my own house. It seemed as though this playground used to be like all the colorful ones, but was forgotten, colors washed away and swings left to move only because of a breeze. I felt bad for the little playground, all alone in such a big world. It seemed strange, for a second, that nobody had tried to contact me, but then I realized my parents wouldn't have my number in their personal files, and I didn't have aunts, uncles, or grandparents to call me and break the news that had already been broken. I knew that all three of my family member had everyone else's number known by heart, so if by some miracle, they survived, I would certainly know.

Had I not been completely lost in my own thoughts, it's very likely I would've noticed the person walking over to the swing and seating himself on the swing next to me far before he spoke,
"Hi." Surprisingly, I didn't jump or shriek or anything that sort of embarrassing. I just looked at him and questioned, head slightly tilted,
"Who are you?" He thought for a second and replied,
"I should think it would be more polite to introduce yourself, before making me do so."
"You're the one who initiated the conversation, therefore you should first tell me your name, rather than make the second, possibly slightly unwilling, participant in said conversation tell you their identity." There was a brief pause, as he pondered my words.
"I think you aren't as horrible as other humans. I'm Gerard."
"Thank you, and I'll say the same about you. I'm Skye."
"Skye," he repeated, and I could tell from his expression that he was letting my name roll over in his mouth, seeing how it felt, as I had done to so many people.

I looked him over. There was no doubt that he was attractive, but not in a distinctly manly way. Not to say that he was feminine, just not the "cute football player" type. His hair was longish, resting slightly on his shoulders and a vibrant red. Not the fiery red of Tracey's hair, but a brighter shade. He was wearing black skinny jeans, a dark grey shirt and a leather jacket. I suddenly felt immensely insecure, in my white skinny jeans, red shirt and small black vest/waistcoat-type thing, which both added my own flair to the relatively dull outfit, and supported my boobs. I hadn't bothered putting on makeup today, and my hair just lay flat. All I could do was hope that he wasn't paying attention to my looks. Luckily, I was tuned into the real world enough to hear him ask,

"So what brings you to this broken-down playground? I'm sure someone like you has far more interesting things to do. Friends to talk to, family to be with, homework to do?"

All too suddenly and brutally, the realization of how likely it was that I had no family hit me. It felt like I'd been crippled, and it was so much worse than I thought it would be. I felt my eyes fill with tears and a lump rise in my throat. I knew I wouldn't be able to hold this back, and I didn't want to cry in front of Gerard. So I got up and bolted towards this small area of woods. I didn't bother looking back, as I knew no logical person would chase after some girl they just met, no matter how hard she was crying. Once I was sure he wouldn't be able to hear me, I let it all fall out. It wasn't the delicate, slightly sniffy crying, but the shaking, screaming, painful type of crying that you just had to wait for it to end. It hurt to breathe, because as soon as I did, I just violently cried. My cheeks were soaked, and it seemed as though I'd never stop.

An hour. That's how long it took for the violent, painful, choking sobs to end. Not at all sure how I got to where I was, or even where I was, I just lay down in the grass, which was dotted with little purple flowers. I'd never felt this kind of hurt before. Everything I'd ever known was gone.

There was a rustling, but I didn't bother to look over and see what it was. Nothing really mattered to me at this point. The rustling stopped, and I felt something settle into the ground next to me. My head was lifted, then set onto something soft and warm. Then, a hand started running through my hair, making me feel intensely peaceful and calm. A few minutes and I finally cared enough to figure out what was going on. I sat up and looked at whoever had been with me, only to find Gerard, a glimpse of a smile on his face, red hair seemingly more vibrant.

I knew I was a total wreck right now, and that Gerard was someone who I cared to become at least slightly close to. Being me, however, I couldn't bring myself to thank him, and instead enveloped him in the most emotion-charged hug I've ever given. And he didn't even pause before returning the emotional embrace.

The intelligent part of my mind instantly realized I was going to fall for Gerard, and was terrified that he wouldn't be there to catch me. But to my emotional mind, that didn't even matter a little bit. Too soon, the hug ended and I smiled at him. Not my usual smile, which I had practiced until it was brilliantly dazzling, but a distraught smile, because I couldn't bring myself to lie right now. He didn't return the smile, just checked a silver watch, far too big for his wrist, and walked off.

A few moments later, I realized that I had absolutely no idea where I was, and no way to ever find Gerard again. Shakily, I stood, and started walking back to where I even might've come from. After awhile, I reached the playground. At this point, it was pitch-black, and I was forced to use my phone as a flashlight if I had was to see. I glanced over at the playground, and saw a jacket. Normally, I would've left it alone, but it was the middle of the night, in the beginning of spring, so I was half frozen. I picked up the jacket, and felt as though I vaguely recognized it. It was a smooth leather, and when j slipped it on, I almost immediately felt warmer. I zipped up the front, and shoved my numb hands in the pockets before setting off to find the remains of my house.

Once I accomplished the task of finding my home, or what had used to be it, I realized how completely insignificant said task had been. Finding my home gave me nowhere to sleep, eat, or stay. All I had right now was a single outfit, my phone, and a jacket that wasn't even mine.

I definitely wasn't in my right mind, but I only figured this out as I silently crept into my neighbors house, as I knew their doors were always unlocked. I grabbed a blanket and a pillow. I removed the pillow case and snuck into their kitchen, then filled it with a variety of canned food, and a can opener. I snuck back out, and returned to the park. I didn't have any kind of plan, but I also didn't have anywhere to sleep, and I needed to be somewhere I believed to be safe. So, underneath the slide, I set up some kind of bed-resembling thing and crawled in. Essentially, I made a blanket burrito around myself, and put my food pillowcase by my legs.

What felt like hours later, I gently slipped into a dream, that when I woke, I had no memory of.