Renascentia - 1/7

Chapter 1

It was still dark when Callie woke. The burgeoning colors of dawn weren't even peeking over the horizon, yet. As she rose through the heavy bog of sleep to consciousness, she felt her head pounding and her eyes felt like they had been polished with sandpaper. In those early seconds, there was a moment of confusion as to why she felt so poorly. Then, the memory of the previous day's events hit her, hard. A solid punch to the heart that stole her breath away, and gave force to the tears that wanted to be shed.

Gasping audibly, she held that gulp of air, waiting for the inevitable aftershocks of pain to subside, much like you do after banging your knee or elbow. When it finally had, enough to breathe, she tried to sink further into her bed, willing the gods to have mercy, and take her, end the agony she was suffering.

When reality had set in, and she knew the pain wouldn't kill her, and the Powers That Be wouldn't grant her peace, she slowly pulled herself up. Everything about her hurt. Everything. From the ends of her toes, to the tips of her hair. If I can just get to the bathroom, she thought. Slowly, quietly, she staggered her way there, trying not to wake the occupants of her parents house, where she lived. There was no way she could deal with anyone right now.

The bathroom door clicked shut behind her and she locked it, turning on the light. Staring at her from the mirror, was a woman so gaunt and pale, anyone would have sworn it was make up for a movie, about someone dying of a terrible, debilitating illness. The circles under her red and swollen eyes were nearly as black as her hair. Her full lips, dry and cracked, while her normally caramel skin was had taken on a sickly hue. Obvious side effects of sobbing all night.

The memory and pain rushed back without warning and was overwhelming. Her stomach lurched, and she collapsed to the floor, over the toilet and retched up what little left. When that was gone, she worked to control the dry heaving. After it had finally stopped, she flushed the toilet, then went to the sink to rinse out her mouth and brush her teeth. Careful not to look at her reflection, she opened the medicine cabinet and took a high dose of ibuprofen to help with her aches, since serious and copious amounts of narcotics were not an option.

After the shower water had warmed , she stepped in and let the hot water wash over and scald her skin, while she again cried in the relative privacy of the shower with the concealing noise of the running water, that helped hide her.

When she left the house, it was still so early, the morning paper had yet to be delivered. The quiet streets were still damp from the dew, as walked through them. Her town was so small, walking around and through it was no great feat. For that reason, it was probably why news spread so fast there. Nothing exciting ever happened. Everyone knew, or knew of everyone else. Very rarely would or could something be kept quiet. Being up on the latest news or gossip was a place of pride among the town residents. Mostly she hadn't minded. Who didn't enjoy a little gossip? It was generally not malicious, just boredom and monotony seeking a reprieve.

Today though, the news would be about her family, and she couldn't bear the thought of it. A mixed bag of happiness and pity. All the pity being directed at her. It had already started the night before at the celebration; people whispering and sneaking glances her way. The pitying smiles when she walked in the room were near fatal.

She couldn't go through that again, her psyche couldn't take it. Today she needed a respite, a moment to catch her breath, so she could go on. So, she walked. Walked and walked and walked. After circling her town three times, she took the road that lead out to the next, and walked towards it.

This too, was a small town, but with big wealth. The running joke was, when you enter town, roll down your window to enjoy the smell of money. Her town was simple, for working class, folk. This one was full of old world charm, restored Victorian houses and buildings. Even the new buildings had to meet town codes to fit into the aesthetic. It was amusing to see a Starbucks or Burger King that looked like the Bronte sisters would come strolling out, burgers and coffee in hand. Film crews were often here shooting news stories, (usually human interest, since nothing unseemly happens there) or movies looking for that idyllic town feel.