Ashes to Diamonds

Chapter 1: Wake Up

The street was large and bright, filled with birds chirping their lovely songs.
Focussing more towards the left side of the street, there was a small pathway leading to a narrower street, lined up with small conch houses on each side. There was a strange, faint glow. Nearly unnoticeable, emanating from the end of the street. I decided to go explore the new path that I did not happen to remember seeing the last time I had visited.

It only took a few steps onto the smaller street for me to no longer be able to hear the birds chirping. I backed up two steps for a moment and, I could undoubtedly hear the bird's songs. It was as if there was a sound barrier right at the intersection of the two paths. I continued to walk forward and slowly venture the street. On the cold, silent, dark street, large potholes covered the road. Long cracks winded on the concrete like forgotten vines. Every once in a while, there was a strong wind that opened the doors of some of the abandoned homes that carried the smell of something old that somehow felt familiar, but I could not identify it. It was hard to describe.

In front of all the houses were unkempt gardens, with grass forgotten to be mown and tangled plants climbing up the sides of the homes. There were old, rusty pickup trucks on several driveways that seemed to have been untouched for many years, but it was still strange that the street was clean. It was as if somebody was trying to keep the uninhabited area tidy.

Further down onto the street, I noticed electrical lines hanging down from the poles, sparks still flying.

Something disastrous must have happened quite recently. Maybe a tornado or a nasty storm? I quickly glanced around at the surrounding houses and I noticed broken glass on many window panes. I shuddered. I had to keep moving. I took in a deep breath and I continued to walk forward.

At the very end of the street was an average sized, two-storey bungalow and it stood out oddly because it was the only establishment on the road that was in perfect condition. The grass was cut short, as if it was mown yesterday. All of the windows and shingles of the house were intact. It's colours were more vibrant and new compared to the rest of the dull ruelle. This one stood out from the rest, especially considering that it was the source of the glow.

Looking up, a dim but vibrant blue light was visible from one of the windows on the second floor.

I squinted at the window for a good ten seconds, not sure what to expect when suddenly a shadow flew by the window.

It would have been hard to notice if- CRASH!