Outsider ||ONC 2024|| {Currently Editing} ✏️

Chapter Four

It wasn't long before I was awake, staring up at the ceiling. I couldn't sleep. No matter what I did, I just couldn't quiet the noises in my head.

The man's pleads echoed aloud, bouncing off the wall—how he cried out for his family, it was horrifying, something no one should go through.

I scratched my neck at the sound of his raspy breath. The way it pierced my ears, as if he himself cowered behind me, haunting me of all my mistakes.

The wood from the open window creaked. My mind was so twisted that it found a way to convince me that he was in my room, tied to the chair, struggling.

When I sat up, I was expecting to see him, but all there was was the dim light from outside and the shadows of the stuff in my room.

I glanced above me. The lashing wind was see-sawing the window in its frame.

I got up and looked out. But before I could change my mind, I had my hands out, my fingers grabbing the cold metal. I pulled up and then climbed out.

The world at night was cold. I almost questioned if it were just as cold as us, as if that was a fair comparison to make.

I looked down at the rust on the rooftop, walking as the moonlight's shadow, carefully moving to the edge before jumping off.

I landed hard on the metal bridge, holding onto the rails as it moved with a screech. I glanced over my shoulder, hoping I didn't wake anyone up.

When the movement stopped, I sat down and shimmied my legs through the small gap, dangling them in the air.

Being out here, it always made me feel better. I could breathe and actually think straight, not having to listen to the bickering that usually went on inside.

I stared out towards the city. How if you looked with squinted eyes, you could probably make out the light in the center, enhancing the buildings around it.

And to the other side, there was the wall: an old, rusty junk of metal they built long before I was born. It didn't keep people in, nor did it keep them out.

There wasn't really anything significant about it, so there wasn't much of a need to mention it—but it's here. It always has been.

Before today, I thought it served the purpose of keeping us separate. I'd look out and think that there was more to this world and one day, I'd get to see it.

Funny how today changed so much of that little girls mindset. If only she knew how broken this world was, maybe she would've been better prepared.

I folded my arms on the rail and sat my chin down when the front door clicked. I lifted my head, frustration brewing in my stomach, and I sighed.

Looking back, I watched as the door jerked back and forth. It was jammed and had to be yanked open; it squawked on its hinges, slowly unveiling Noah.

He grimaced and stepped out, carefully closing the door behind him. "Sorry," he whispered but I didn't say anything back. "Can I join you?"

As soon as I nodded, he bent his knees and sat down beside me, shoving his legs through and looking out at the city, as I was doing.