2021 English Short Stories

Deep Breath

It was hard to breathe. The landscape was changing as the sun set, forcing my eyes to adjust. As the glow of the city slowly turned on, the last few cars disappeared home. The familiar sounds of the large city joined my staggered breathing as I walked down the deep grey concrete path. The spine-shivering breeze blew through my hair as the flickering lamp-posts automatically turned on.

Living in the city was great. I mean it provided me with the essential needs and quick transport. However, I still need what my ancestors did; I need what humans evolved to need. In these concrete streets, we need trees, birdsong, flowers. We need fresh air, good food and a chance to play with friends freely, feeling safe and loved. We, like other animals, can't adapt so quickly to large changes. So, if it's alright, these kids need a little country in the city and a lot more space to breathe.

One, two, three... Bing! Raspberry Red to Granny Smith Apple Green, stop to go. The aluminate lights changed and I continued my journey. My throat bare dry from the harsh cold air. As my steps grew my mind drifted into the deep.

Without the children, anything will a city be? Tin and metal with no purpose? Such young hearts and exquisite minds, even the legendary institutions will call them to return. It's as if we lost our purpose amid all of this hectic hustle and bustle or we forgot the importance of fun and joy. So I say that the city is the kid, it is the kids, for they can be the only reason, the only hope.

Well, I can't say it out loud but just the thought is nice, right?

As an ache grew in my left foot, I began to search for a place to rest. Away from the main street and view of opinionated citizens. Fear is natural and there to keep you alive and happy, yet where it has been weaponised and fashioned into a cage, one is honour bound to break free. When stressed and afraid, the brain is only made better at learning and remembering things we fear - it locks us in with our demons and gives them longer claws.

Claws that scratch the hell out of our hearts and the happiness out of our body. It makes us want to hide in the dark and make no sound. I have always been ready to fight if I need to, but I would rather hide behind the shadows for both mine and others' sake. What others don't know is better than speaking loud and being caught.

Talk less, smile more. My motto, my only rule.

The familiar streets found their way back to my mind as I dashed behind buildings and around sharp corners. Only to finally take a breathe once I met the walls of a small abandoned backstreet, paint dripping from the walls of art and little sunlight; if any at all, creeping through ridged cracks.

"Roseberry..." I whispered as I leaned onto the wall, indicating my presence. Allowing time for the hidden entryway to creep open. Quietly I entered, sighing with relief as a familiar figure stood tall and proud, with arms open in front of me.

"Two days and your home?" Was questioned as I chucked my satchel onto the long three seated couch, "I don't know how you do it, Amethyst. You really are a gem." My shoulders relaxed as I realised that all was back to normal, well for now. Tomorrow the clock resets and we go again.

In and Out, it is hard to breathe. The city was changing as the sun reached the high point of the sky, forcing people to take shelter. Running was my way to feel power in a life, where I had none. This city had no life, we weren't free and we are going to change that.

"Amethyst, listen. We don't have long. When you get there the language will have changed, from Alexander's knowledge. Plus, we don't know by how much, culture too. So play it safe, alright. Observe first, only give up the locket if needed. Once you are there time is irrelevant, the trees will grow as soon as it is handed over no matter what."

In the barely lit tunnel, the lights hemmed in by the perfect arching sandstone walls there is something almost gleaming ahead. It isn't giving out light, more like it catches it at certain angles and reflects a brownish red hue. A hue which brings hope to your gaze, a gaze of worry as the time passes. Be confident, don't apprehend yourself when you are about to make brave leaps of faith and learning. I thought as I walked down the long metal path, connected by bolts of heavy metal. I had one more chance to save our nature, the environment, our future.

"Amethyst, we meet again," The strong deep voice spoke through The Shadows, "Back so soon? I thought we made a deal."

"I will fight for my people until seeds of our earth grow again." I was determined to bring back nature, even if it means losing all my powers.

"You seem wise, but you will soon fall to the ground like the leaves of autumn." The Shadow smiled accepting the victory, as my face turned pale pearl white.

"Let the world breathe again, please I beg of you," I stood tall but slouched as I begged towards The Shadows, "you can have my locket, I don't care anymore." I lied, Alexander was smart enough before to create a replica of the locket, but The Shadow didn't know that.

Loud silence, filled the polluted air as a hand reached out from The Shadows, it was of a dark deep black and the fingers were as long as the branches of a old oak tree, you hear about in the historic tales. Pulling the locket from off my neck in one quick movement, I handed over the replica, faking tears mixed of joy and loss, I waited for the trees to grow once more. A wide window opened from the left and the view of the city was found. It was raining once more, just like in the old stories that were told. My job was done, I was now to return to the soil.

In and Out, it was easy to breathe. The city was changing as the sun reached the high point of the sky, it was lunch time. Grown trees brought shade and short chopped grass was wrapped by large picnic blankets.

The city had life, we are free.