Between Black and White

Chapter 1

Grey. The clouds and sky. The world. My abandoned heart. 

I stood in the midst of the swirling fog, that enveloped me and churned until I felt it no more, a mere crack in the sidewalk that was my life.

 I walked along the road of London, England. Big surprise, it was raining. I didn't mind though. I liked the rain. It washed over me and cleared my thoughts like the tears that fell from my eyes never could. The tears that were shed for my parents, my life, myself. I couldn't save my parents and I know it, but I know if they were still here they would wish I hadn't spent so much time bringing myself down and thinking I could save them, that I forgot to save myself from the empty void of sorrow and grief.

I walked to the little pizzeria on the corner. It used to be my family's tradition to go there on birthdays and Fridays. I am really good friends with the owner, old Max because my family had a lot of Fridays before my parents died. I didn't have any siblings. My parents had said to each other that if they ever wanted another child anyways, they would adopt. But, they always thought I was enough. I liked being the only child because I never felt left out, I was never ignored. I could tell my parents cared about me. But then they died, and since I was an only child, there was no one left except for me and my cat Strudel.

Right now my cat Strudel is probably dumpster diving. Right then, Strudel rubbed up against my leg. He is a grey tabby cat. We adopted him from a rescue shelter. My parents always cared about making other peoples lives better. They were part of the Peace Corps. That was actually where they met. They met in Asia. They both had a strong passion for helping people, and now they are gone. it does not seem fair. No, I can' t think like that. It will not do any good. 

My parents died in a fire in our house. They managed to help me escape with Strudel cradled in my arms, but unfortunately my parents didn't have enough time to follow me out. The fire was a red flame in my cool grey past.

I sat down on a little stool in the pizzeria. Max cam over the little twinkle still shining in his eyes. "Hello Alex! What can I get for you today?" he cheerfully asked, even though he already knew the answer. "I'll have 2 slices of pepperoni pizza with less sauce." He nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. I am not a big fan of lots of tomato sauce on my pizza. I sure do love Max's pizza though. He seasons the crust just perfectly! My family would always come here on Fridays because of the comforting atmosphere, and the delicious food! It would make our Fridays better. Now I come here to try to rekindle that love and support, to feel like my parents are still here, but no matter how hard I try, no matter how many times I  wish, they are still dead, and there is nothing I can do to change that.