Alina In The Land Of Madness

CHAPTER ONE

[Mention of Self-Harm]

Alina

I found solace in the sanctuary of the towering oak tree that was next to a cliff, water splashing against the stone. Its branches seemed to cradle me, offering a sense of security as I perched on one of its sturdy limbs. The leaves rustled softly in the gentle breeze, creating a soothing melody that provided a welcome distraction from the thoughts swirling in my mind.

My sister, Lucy, sat at the base of the tree, her gaze fixed on some unseen point in the distance. There was a certain emptiness in her eyes, a haunting vacancy that had become a permanent fixture since her 20th birthday, three long years ago. It was a day that forever altered our lives, casting a shadow over our once existence.

Tomorrow would be my 20th birthday, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and trepidation. It was a milestone that marked the transition from adolescence to adulthood, but for me, it carried an additional weight. I couldn't shake the nagging thought that this day would bring nothing but despair.

"Lucy," I called out softly, my voice carrying on the gentle breeze. Her distant stare slowly shifted, her blue eyes meeting mine. They seemed haunted, a stark contrast to her dark hair that cascaded around her shoulders. I carefully descended from the tree, my heart pounding with anticipation, and settled down next to her on the soft grass in the heart of a daisy field.

As I sat beside her, I couldn't help but notice the weight of sadness that seemed to engulf her. It hung in the air around us, casting a sombre shadow over the vibrant beauty of the flowers. The delicate petals of the daisies swayed gently in the breeze, their white and yellow hues standing out against the sea of green.

I reached out and gently brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, my touch barely grazing her skin. I could feel the tension radiating from her, as if she was a fragile porcelain doll on the verge of shattering. Her gaze remained on my face.

As I sit here reminiscing about the stories she used to tell me, I can still hear her voice echoing in my mind, like a haunting whisper. The tales she shared were captivating, filled with mystery and madness. It was a land she had visited three years ago, a place where reality and fantasy seemed to intertwine in a mesmerizing dance.

One particular story she repeated often stood out in my memory. It revolved around a prophecy that foretold my destiny. "A man with blonde hair will come and collect you on your 20th birthday," she would say. Those words would linger in the air, leaving me both curious and anxious about what lay ahead.

She described this land as a vibrant tapestry of chaos and wonder, where the ordinary became extraordinary. It was a place where the boundaries of possibility were pushed to their limits, a realm where dreams and nightmares coexisted.

"You need to run, Alina. Please," she pleaded, her voice trembling. I could see the raw fear etched on her face, her wide eyes searching mine for any sign of comprehension.

In that moment, Lucy's words pierced through my consciousness like a siren wailing in the night. Her eyes pleaded with me, filled with a mixture of fear and desperation. The urgency in her voice sent shivers down my spine, as if a gust of cold wind had blown right through me.

As I reached down to pluck a daisy from the ground, my fingers trembled slightly. The fragility of the delicate petals mirrored the vulnerability I felt in that moment. My gaze wandered over my arms, tracing the crisscrossing lines of scars that marred my skin. Each one told a story of pain, of battles fought both inside and outside.

The air around me felt heavy with tension, and the distant sound of shattering plates and raised voices echoed through the stillness of the evening. It was all too familiar, the chaos and turmoil that seemed to constantly engulf our family.

I closed my eyes, trying to block out the images that flashed in my mind. The image of my father, his towering figure casting a shadow over me, his face distorted with anger. The memory of his voice, booming and thunderous, reverberated through my ears. It was a constant reminder of the fear and helplessness I felt in those moments.

Instinctively, I wrapped my arms tightly around my waist as if trying to hold myself together. The physical act provided some semblance of comfort, a feeble attempt to shield myself from the emotional storm that brewed within me.

"Alina," my sister called out, her voice laced with concern. I turned to face her, my eyes meeting hers. In that moment, I couldn't help but notice the matching scars etched on our bodies, serving as a painful reminder of the trials we had endured. It was a bittersweet realization, knowing that we shared not only a bond as siblings but also the burden of our past.

As I studied her, I couldn't help but reflect on the countless nights we had spent huddled together, seeking solace and comfort in each other's presence. We had become each other's pillars of strength, navigating the treacherous path that life had laid before us. The scars we bore were not just physical marks; they were symbolic of the battles we had fought, the pain we had overcome, and the resilience we had developed.

As I watched the plugged daisy fall from my trembling hand, a wave of despair washed over me. I felt the weight of the world crashing down on my shoulders as I realized the harsh reality of the situation.

With a heavy heart, I wrapped my arms around her fragile body.  I cradled her cold form against my chest, feeling the chill seep into my bones. It was as if time had stood still, the outside world fading away into insignificance. In that moment, all that mattered was Lucy and the bond we shared.

"I won't leave you, Lucy," I whispered, my voice barely audible amidst the deafening silence. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the image of her face, but I didn't want to let go of her. She was my lifeline.

"I can't leave, Alina," she said, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and desperation. It was a plea, a cry for help that I couldn't fully comprehend in that moment. But as I looked into her eyes, I could see the pain and torment she was carrying within her.

Her voice, already broken and fragile, cracked even further as she spoke those words. It was as if the weight of her burden had finally become too much for her to bear. I reached out instinctively, wanting to hold her, to comfort her, to reassure her that everything would be alright. But before I could even take a step towards her, everything happened in a blur.

She pushed me so hard that I stumbled back, falling down the mighty cliff.