In this area, the lights never come on, there are no visitors, and it's always dead silent. The houses stand empty without residents, and no one wants to buy a home here.
Twelve-year-old Luke Campbell suffers from loneliness - he has no friends, an...
Luke wanted to stay here forever, far away from school, classmates, and just generally away from people. Dark Lanterns Lane turned out to be a wonderful place for loners.
In this secluded haven, the allure of solitude embraced him like an old friend, offering respite from the demands of the world and shielding him from the bustling noise of everyday life. Here, in the quiet company of shadows, he found solace away from the complexities of social circles and the constant hum of human interactions.
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The autumn breeze whispered through the leaves on Dark Lanterns Lane, gently coaxing the trees to release their golden treasures. The air carried a crisp chill, painting each breath with the scent of fallen leaves and earthy nostalgia. As the sun played hide-and-seek behind the branches, the lane transformed into a mosaic of warm hues, from the fiery reds to the mellow yellows, creating a tapestry that seemed to capture the very essence of the season.
The soft patter of raindrops became a gentle percussion, casting a rhythmic spell on the lane's cobblestones. Puddles turned into reflective mirrors, mirroring the fiery foliage above, creating a magical, double-layered world that seemed to bridge reality and enchantment.
Luke pondered. Why had he come here in the first place? The cobblestones beneath his feet held the echoes of countless untold stories, and the houses, standing like silent guardians, hinted at enigmas waiting to be unraveled. He couldn't help but wonder about the motivations that had led him to this peculiar place.
The boy wandered around the alley for a while, relishing the absence of people and the quietude that enveloped the surroundings. However, he eventually realized that it was time to head back home. But suddenly...
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
Luke instantly turned around and saw a girl in front of him. Ah, it seems he's not the only one who enjoys strolling in deserted places!
"What is your name?" Luke dared to ask.
"Aliya." Her name sounded as a beautiful melody. It rolled off the tongue with a gentle rhythm, leaving you with the feeling that names could be poetry, and hers was a verse of elegance. "And what is yours?"
"I'm Luke," the boy felt a little scared to talk to the stranger, "By the way, what are you doing here?"
"This is my home. I reside here."
"But no one lives in this area!"
"Yes, no one. Except for me."
Aliya, a girl of around nine or ten, rocks this distinctive platinum blonde hair that practically gleams in the sunlight. It's the kind of hair you'd spot from across the playground. Her eyes, this striking shade of blue, are like something out of a storybook – big, bright, and framed by these long lashes that would make any other girl jealous. You can't help but notice her when she walks into a room; she's got this magnetic presence.
Her dress is middle-length and purely white which gives this angelic vibe. It's like she's stepped out of a cloud, all bright and pristine. The contrast between her fair hair, blue eyes, and that crisp white dress gives off this ethereal quality – she's like a walking daydream for anyone who crosses her path.
"Where are your parents?" Luke continued asking questions.
"I don't have parents."
"And other adults?"
It can't be that a teenage girl is completely alone, without a mom, dad, or at least guardians. She should have been taken to an orphanage or placed with a foster family. I mean, that's what's supposed to happen, right? It's like Aliya is living in a world that forgot to care. The world's not meant for someone to navigate alone, especially at that age. It's just not right.
You'd think there'd be some safety net, some system in place to catch a girl in need. But for her, it's like she slipped through the cracks, left to face the world all alone. It's a tough gig for anyone, let alone a teenage girl. The world should've had her back, given her a place to belong, someone to rely on. It's a head-scratcher why that didn't happen.
"I'm all alone."
"And haven't social services inquired about you?" he wondered.
"They don't know about me."
"They could easily find you in the database and realize you're without guardianship at any moment."
"They won't find me. I don't even have any documents."
"And where did they go?"
"They never existed in the first place."
Hold on a second, did Luke hear that right? No documents? That's like living in a parallel universe where paperwork doesn't exist. I mean, everyone's got some kind of paper trail, right?Birth certificates, school records, at least something. But for Aliya, it's like she's a mystery with no official script to prove she's part of this world.
It's the kind of thing that makes you furrow your brow and squint your eyes, wondering if you missed a crucial detail. How does someone navigate life without a single piece of paper vouching for their existence? It's baffling and leaves you with more questions than answers. In a world drowning in paperwork, Aliya is out here defying the norm, living document-free. It's almost like she's a character from a story who accidentally wandered into reality.
Despite the absence of parents and living without supervision, Aliya appeared to be cheerful, lively, and somewhat daring. An intense interest burned in her eyes, and her speech was lively, articulate, and confident. She was fearless and full of zest for life.
"I don't believe you! You're just as much a liar as all the other kids," with these words, Luke turned around and walked away.
It's better not to trust girls - that was a belief Luke had long accepted as truth. Especially if these girls initiate a conversation with you first - it means they definitely want something from you.
After walking a few dozen meters, the boy decided to look back - the stranger was already gone.
