Watch Our Worlds Burn

Chapter One

I walked down the street, my eyes glued to my phone. I was bored of it at this point but I had nothing better to do. I couldn't find the inspiration to draw anything lately, so I indulged in using my phone. There was a message plastered across my lock screen; it was my best friend Elise.

Come over to my house. Please hurry.

My eyebrows burrowed. Elise was always laid back and never in a hurry.

I hope she's alright.

I put my phone in my pocket and walked past the houses on her lane. I passed by a dark alleyway that stuck out from the rest of the suburban neighborhood. I froze and watched it, a shiver running through my body.

So dark... so quiet...

I turned away and picked up my pace to get to Elise's house.

Elise was my best friend since my Freshman year of high school. We were never part of any friend groups but having each other somehow helped suffice. Now, even at 17, she stayed by my side. She was smart, pretty, and always content. She never overreacted. She never raised her voice.

She stayed calm even when I freaked out.

I sighed. I really hope the problem wasn't too concerning.

Suddenly, my gaze trailing the ground, caught sight of someone's shadow behind me. They had been pacing to catch up to me.

Not too fast to be noticed... but definitely fast... fast enough to be suspicious.

Uncomfortable, I ignored it.

I've always had problems with paranoia and it was childish. It stupidly raises my blood pressure.

However, this was different. The person behind me wasn't even trying to go unnoticed. I cleared my throat and continued my pace, acting like I didn't notice the person. They walked in measured steps behind me, nearing as the seconds fled. They ended up right behind me, making my heart rate accelerate. Giving up, I slowed down and stopped to take a look behind me.

I was greeted with the sight of a guy as dark as the night if not for his tan skin. His hair was black and he had dark brown eyes, nearing the color of a void black. My breath hitched at his expressionless face. He would have looked attractive if he didn't seem so ruthless.

"Morning," he chimed, dangerously polite. I opened my mouth to speak but no words escaped past my lips. His 'morning' sounded everything but chivalrous.

"Morning," I finally replied, my voice quiet. We stood staring at each other in silence for a moment or two. He then cleared his throat and took a step closer.

"I need to talk to you about something," He admitted in a low and quiet voice. Uncomfortable, I took a step back.

"About what?" I replied cautiously, holding my ground. He looked me up and down, summing up my person.

"Things," he emphasized with a small smile. I shook my head.

"I don't know who you are at all," I replied, my eyes narrowing. He laughed, his white teeth almost a snarl. He shoved his hands into his pants pocket.

"You will soon enough. But for now... how about we drop the act? It's exhausting. I have to warn you about some things, and your pretending is tiring," He taunted almost as if he knew what I was doing.

Ironically I had no clue what was going on.

"Act?" I repeated, echoing the thoughts in my head. I scoffed and laughed.