The Crimson Clock: Path of The Fallen

Chapter One

The moon laid in a bed of stars, casting its bright light above us. We almost didn't need a flashlight.

Even though I was seventeen, I was scared of the dark. Now before you say I'm a baby and need to grow up, it can be creepy sometimes. Like when you go into a dark basement all alone, and the floor is creaky and it always feels like someone is watching you . . . that's very creepy. But we were outside alone and a quarter to midnight, and that adds to the fear. See, I have a very good reason to be creeped out at this moment. So no name calling, okay?

Rylee and Logan walked side by side holding hands while I walked next to Rylee, one hand in my pocket, the other holding my phone, the flashlight lighting up the sidewalk ahead of us.

Being the couple they were, they laughed and giggled at one another, joking around. Playfully hitting each other in the arm. Sometimes I wanted to barf just watching them. It was cute, but cheesy and seemed like something out of a romance movie. But there wasn't a bathroom around so I would have to wait to barf once I got home.

After what felt like two years, Rylee finally shut Logan up with a nudge in the side with her elbow. This time not joking around.

If you haven't noticed yet, I'm the third wheel.

"Hey Esme, you can talk too you know." Said Rylee.

"Eh, I don't want to interrupt this little," I thought about what they were doing and settled on, "Moment."

Rylee rolled her eyes. "We're not having a moment, Esme."

I heard Logan let out a grunt. Maybe a little laugh.

I dodged a rain puddle, glancing at my reflection. My black hair blended in with the dark sky, but my green eyes stuck out like a sore thumb.

"I've seen couples do this before. All of them classify as moments." I said.

Rylee let go of Logan's hand and gave me a side hug. "Aww, you're just feeling a little sad. It's okay, one day you'll have a boyfriend to have as many moments as you want with!" She made a pouty face and rubbed my arm like I was hurt or something.

I wiggled my shoulder, loosening her grasp on my arm.

"Ew no. Boys are gross." I said, sicking out my tongue.

"Hey!" Logan glared at me and Rylee laughed.

"Yeah, whatever." She went back to holding his hand, "I can tell when you're lying."

"Oh really?" I asked.

"Mhm. It's a thing I have." Rylee smiled to one side and crossed her arms. "Try me." She dared.

I thought about it. But her expression made me scared.

"Ok, ok. Fine. But still. I don't want a boyfriend."

Rylee's blue eyes sparked in the light of the moon. Goodness, she was so pretty. No wonder she got Logan. They've dated for about a year now. They let me tag along on their dates from time to time like today. Don't get me wrong it's fun, we've grown very close ever since they started dating, but being the third wheel isn't always the best.

Of course I've had crushes before. I mean who wouldn't? I'm seventeen so why wouldn't I have a boyfriend? Probably it's because I've never shown interest in anyone. Plus, I'd be too scared to tell someone how I feel. Rylee on the other hand is not afraid to do anything. She'll jump off of a cliff into water even if there's a 50/50 chance that she survives. Which can be good and bad at the same time.

We turned a corner on the sidewalk and came across an alley between an apartment building and a closed barber shop. Only a dumpster, a few rats and probably a stray cat were in there. Maybe a raccoon. Yeah it was a little creepy, but we passed it with no trouble.

"Hey, what about that one dude, his name was. . .oh! Jacob-"

"Shhh!" Logan stopped walking. At least he didn't want to have this conversation either.

"What? Not you too-" Logan put his finger over Rylee's mouth, "Hey!" Rylee pushed his finger away, "What?" She asked.

"Just listen." Logan whispered.

We were silent for over a minute and all I heard was my own breathing. "Logan what? There's nothing. Lets go." Rylee grabbed his hand and started to walk but Logan stayed as still as a statue.

"There's something..." He took a step back as Rylee looked closer to see what he was talking about. I took a step back behind Rylee. Then out of nowhere he yelled,

"AH!" and put his hands on Rylee's shoulders. She screamed so loud I'm pretty sure I heard the windows break on some of the houses . . . or maybe that was the ringing in my ear.

Logan laughed so hard he fell to his knees holding his stomach with his arms and Rylee slapped in on the back.

"Not funny!" Rylee complained.

I started laughing too.

Rylee pouted as me and Logan laughed our lungs out. It felt like five minutes passed that we couldn't stop laughing. I snorted a few times. At one point it was more of a gasp for air than a laugh.

"Guys! That isn't funny!"

"Yeah. Sorry. That wasn't funny." Logan said standing up, brushing the dirt off his knees.

"It was mean! God. That scared me so much Logan." Rylee looked at him then at me, probably waiting for an apology.

"Yeah, my bad. Sorry. Won't happen again." I promised.

But as we started walking again, me and Logan made eye contact, I snorted, (I should probably stop doing that) and I quickly covered my mouth before any more noises could come out. Rylee glared at me with her eyes looking into mine. Felt like she was looking into my soul. Geez.

"Sorry. Had something in my throat." I pretend to clear my throat covering my mouth with the side of my fist. "All good. Probably allergies or something." In the corner of my eye I could see Logan smiling trying his best not to laugh. I tried not to look at him because we all know how that would end up.

"So," Rylee started, ignoring her weird friends, "Who's house are we-"

And before any more words could come out of her mouth, the apartment building to the side of us exploded, engulfing us in fire and smoke so hard it blasted us to the other side of the street. Immediately my head collided with the ground knocking me out turning my vision black with white speckles, but not in time to not feel the crushing sound of my ribs as a heavy object landed on top of me.