The Trial

Chapter 1

I was running. The drops of water falling down felt more like iron bullets. They stung as they exploded against my feverish skin leaving areas exposed to the wind. The air slashed against me as I ran cutting into me like a sharp knife. My ankles wobbled against the muddy field of grass. If only I can make it to the forest.

A crash of thunder and the earth shakes sending me tripping to the ground. My fingers dig into the earth in hopes of getting up before the storm hits. Lightning falls leaving a scorch of black grass behind a few feet away from me. Halfway up I fall back down, but I can't stop moving my feet. The trail I have been going has become curved. The storm curving with me as I push myself to run faster. If I can make it to the forest I will be safe, I will live.

The sky above me rumbles once again and I count the seconds until lightning strikes 1......2......3 a bolt flies down. The ground behind me explodes with patches of grass and mud flying out onto my backside. I would look back at the burnt ground if I wasn't so desperate to survive. With mud covering my damp skin every step becomes slippery. I stumble slowing down to a speed I'm not comfortable with. My lungs burn from inhaling the cold wind at such a rapid pace. The clothes I'm wearing are drenched causing me to sink further in the mud with their weight. A wolf appears at the edge of the forest and I let out a relieved sigh.

1......2...- lightning crackles across the sky hitting the earth in front of my feet. I fly forward trying to stop at such a fast speed and trying not to touch the ground. I land on my side sliding forward. The wolf at the edge of the tree line whines for me, but it gives me strength and determines be further. I fight to stand up and begin running again. The storm grumbles like its laughing at my attempt to get away.

It's over, the storm has won, I know this when I can only see the grey clouds above swirling with no mercy. The thunder hits and I begin to count once more. 1-

••••

I awake with a fast beating heart and a coat of sweat to my skin. Ive had the same dream since my childhood. It used to only come once a year, now I have it twice a week. It seems to be devouring my conscious. The clock next to me notifies me that it is half fast five in the morning. I wake up at this time every time I have the dream. Instead of trying to go back to sleep I haul myself to the restroom to get rid of the shine on my skin. After I feel refreshed I get dressed and head to the kitchen. With a push of a button it gurgles to life preparing to fill the awaiting mug set underneath the spout.

The smell of sweet herbs fill my senses and I know that the machine is working. Without hesitation I move to the brown leather love seat in my studio apartment. The window across the small couch overlooks the lake that this town was named after. I pick up the book resting on the nightstand and flip it to the waiting bookmark. I begin to read until the coffee maker dings. After setting the book down and grabbing my tea mug I begin where I left off.

The hot liquid sliding down my throat and the smooth words of the book let me forget my dreams. The main character on a mission to save the boy she loves takes my mind off the storm. I've never loved a boy like the main character has. She wants to offer herself up to the enemy just so her boyfriend won't have to fight him. I don't know what I would do if I was put in that situation let alone if I loved a boy that much. The only boyfriend I had was in eighth grade and that only lasted a month. I never really had time to create a relationship as important. I've never loved anyone besides my family. Leaving them to move into this apartment was hard enough, how could I die knowing that I would never see them again? That is what the main character of my book is planning to do anyway.

After my high school graduation I had to move into the small town about three hours away from home. I wouldn't have considered going to this private college, but the scholarship they gave me roped me in. It was strange considering I don't remember applying for a scholarship here, but considering I sent out so many applications I can't remember all of the ones I sent. The offer was too big to refuse so I accepted and we had enough left over to buy an apartment near campus.