I was running. Running from what I couldn't recall. All I knew was it was dark, and something was in fact chasing me.
The crystal lamp was blurry as I stood up; my forehead sweat beading down the sides of my face as the cooling sensation of my tiled bedroom floor hit every nerve on my feet.
It was my first day at a new school in New Haven City. This new life secretly tailed me my whole life. A suburban city away from the chaos in an old rickety house, decently priced of course given its age. Far away from all the terrible memories I and my mother left behind but yet they still haunt me.
I stared out my small creaky bedroom window. A robin sat on my window sill. This bird has not one worry in the world.
Cabinets clanged against the wall and pots collided downstairs. Me and my mother had left the big city beside us, St.Peterson it was called. Too many people, too much noise. My mother and father had a different opinion. They enjoyed it. The combustion of people on Boxing Day trying to grasp the many unnecessary items one would buy even if it was given to you for free. The gifts people bought for 50% off for their loved ones as a "sorry I've been neglecting you all year, just been extra 'busy' lately."
The thrilling part of fearing someone trying to hurl you into the subway tracks or stab you, the police making money off the richest areas putting speedometers and cashing in their daily $300, and most importantly the divide the people had in the city because of wealth and power.
But now we are here, in a city where everyone knew everyone, knew what their job was, and knew if they are a teenage girl who worked at the local grocery store. Fortunately, the job I once had in St.Peterson as a grocery clerk definitely paid off since I got my new job at the local and only grocery store in New Haven.
I grabbed my lightweight backpack and threw on my converse. My ankle swelled as I climbed down the creaky stairs.
"Honey I've made waffles!" My mom shouted.
"Yeah thanks." I said, shoving a waffle into my throat and washing it down with orange juice.
I felt the insides of my stomach tangle up and burn as I shut my front door and walked to the bus stop.
I pinched the skin between my index finger and thumb. Yes, it is scientifically proven to calm yourself if done so.
"Morning to all students of Computer Building 101!" Mr. Smith said.
Snickers filled the room as I walked in to sit at the back.
"Late on your first day Ms- uhm pardon what is your name?"
"Valerie" I said in a monotone voice.
I pulled my earbuds out as I sat on the only empty seat.
"7" by arctic monkeys blasted in my ear drums the bass sending serotonin through my brain.
"Hey.. HEY!"
A hand tapped my shoulder.
"NEW GIRL HELLOOOO," a girl wearing a plaid sweater vest and black skirt.
"Hey," I said, taking my earbuds out.
"I'm Emory!"
"Nice to meet you, I'm Valerie," I said quietly.
"Why don't you meet me at lunch?" She asked.
"Uhhh sure. Yeah what's ur Insta?"
Lunch rolled around and I met Emory at the cafeteria doors.
We sat together near the corner of the very back. I looked around. Too loud I said to myself.
"Sooo liking it here so far?" Emory asked.
"Mediocre, but it's survival plan proof," I said
She laughed, handing me half of a Hershey's chocolate bar.
"Consider this your welcome gift!" She beamed.
I smiled a genuine one, and accepted the chocolate.
I surveyed the nearby table.
"Hey, who's that?"
"Oh him. He's Kyrus.." Emory said softly, eyes shifting between me and the boy sat alone.
"Why so solemn, Is he your ex or something?" I asked.
"Nah, he's just Kyrus, always in his own world" she replied.
Kyrus turned around and glanced at us. How the fuck could he have heard that.
His stare was blank but his lower lip shifted as he turned back pulling his black hood up.
Interesting.
Give or take this town was boring. I mean no offense but I've seen barn animals have more fun trapped inside a pen.
Emory asked to go to the local library (the only one) and read our class syllabus. Obviously, I agreed, just what I needed.
We walked past George St, passing Moss Park.
This park though, looked like it was from the 19 hundreds. Steel bars rusted holding up the swings set and monkey bars. A metal side someone's definitely getting their ass burnt on that and a steel fence enclosing a green metal box. That's odd.
We entered the library, oh what a beauty it was. Chandeliers hung up high, carefully arranged stones on the walls carved into shapes, and books rounded in the shape of a hurricane around them.
"Oh," Emory whispered.
"What?" I muttered, gazing around. Oh. It's Kyrus. He was sitting down peering into a book with a spine bigger than most guys-
Emory swatted her brown hair back and grabbed my hand, pulling me to nearby seats.
"Ugh I don't hate him but he's just weird."
"What do you mean, are you one of those girls who get mad when they like a guy?" I blurted a little too loudly, he looked again, a flicker of recognition sent his eyes darting up and down.
"You know, he seems quite lonely," I smirked getting up.
"I'll go talk to him-"
"NO!" Emory yelled, covering her mouth after saying it too loudly.
"Hey, I've seen you at" I started but I was rudely interrupted.
"Yeah you I've seen you," he said in a "cool now get away from me" voice.
"Oh, what's your name?" I questioned.
"You're on a need-to-know basis, and you in fact DO NOT need to know."
I let out an irritated growl, my lips turning into a thin line as I walked back.
Yeah, I can see why Emory doesn't like him.
My stomach lurched. My vision turned grey. I saw color. Around people's heads. Auras. Blues, oranges, and yellowed surrounded people.
"Uhm Em-ory, I think I'll get going!"
"But-.."
My feet hit the pavement and my ankles burned.
I ran to Moss Park. Threw my bag beside the swing set and sat in the swing.
I sat there for 2 hours swinging before I realized Kyrus was on the swing beside me.
"What are you doing here?" I scoffed.
"Well this is a public park-"
"NO, I mean why would you be here at this hour?" I explained, jabbing a finger up to the dark sky.
"Well," Kyrus sighed. "I saw you run out and I just thought you know maybe you were in trouble so-"
"Why the hell would you even-"
The sound of crashing occurred near the green metal box.
I jerked my head around to see that the door had been swung open by a man in a dark hood running across the park into the street.
Kyrus adjusted his baseball cap and fiddled with his fingers.
"I'm sorry," He went on. "I didn't mean to offend you I just thought you know... that you were gonna say some freakish Insults and go away."
"Why would I do something like that?"
"I don't know, It's just happened a lot."
I itched my eyebrow. "So what did you think that was about," I asked.
"Dunno and don't care," he replied.
"Well, I got work now so I better get on my way."
I grabbed my bag and slightly stomped away.
I threw on my grocery clerk smile and walked over to my register for the night.
YOU ARE READING
The queen isn't the most powerful piece
Science Fiction"What are you even doing here?" I jabbed a finger up at the dark sky. "Well this is a public park-" Valerie has been overlooked ever since she was a kid. Pushed to her limits driving her to see auras. She can feel and sense destruction. Kyrus can't...
