Your World, My World

Chapter 20: A Hint of White

Your World, My World

Chapter 20: A Hint of White

I'll never forget the day Allen left. I was heart-broken. For four long years he has been my childhood friend starting at age eight. We did everything together; such as tree climbing, rock throwing, racing, hair brushing, and even singing. We had a normal childhood together, it even seemed like we had known each other since birth.

He was there for me, and I was there for him. We played everyday ever since we met, including rainy days. We never fought, even though we were close to it at times. But either him or I would just laugh at our disagreement and talk about something else. I couldn't ask for a better friend.

At age twelve, I ran away from my home on the other side of town to the forest where his cabin was like I always had everyday before. I always lied to Mother saying that I was going to go study somewhere calm, but I don't think she cared much as long as I returned for dinner. Allen and I would meet by a lake that lays still and quiet farther into the woods around mid-day everyday.

That day, I waited for what seemed like hours, but he never showed up. I got worried so I walked to his cabin quietly and wondered if he was sick. Our town is very clean, so it would be strange to get a cold in spring.

There was no movement coming from the cabin, not a single noise either. I walked over to Allen's bedroom window and looked inside. Even though the window is stained with a misty fog, I could clearly see that the room has been deserted from all of its furniture and Allen's belongings.

My first thought was that I was at the wrong cabin, but then I remembered that this is the only cabin that is close to the lake in the entire forest. I checked the rest of the small home, but every other room was the same as Allen's according to the musty windows.

That's when I began to shake. I was so scared that Allen and his family had possibly moved out to live somewhere else, but I didn't want to believe it.

Allen would never move without fighting to stay here or in the very least tell me. He loved this small town of Green. Once he adapted to living here, he said that he felt like he belonged. He said he finally felt like a normal boy.

I am now fifteen years of age, but the pain of Allen's disappearance still stabs me repeatedly in the heart. He was a part of my childhood and always will be. But even though I broke our promise for him to return to Rilianne three years ago when Allen left, I am still determined to find him and continue to help him. As soon as I am of age to take responsibility for myself, I will go find Allen...

... even if it kills me.

* * *

"Excuse me, Ms. Are you alright?"

A soft voice seems to echo all around my body but soon settles only above me. My eyes slowly begin to open as I look up to see a pale girl with deep crimson eyes. A worried look haunts her gaze as she is leaning over to look down at me. Her soft, gentle appearance and features create a soft slow around her.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you." I say while standing up and brushing off my apron. I give her a warm, gentle smile as another thank you for worrying. She lightly smiles back. By her body movement, she must be shy.

I look around my surroundings to find that I'm in the forest where Allen and I played a long time ago. I must have fallen asleep again thinking about him. He is now my past, I need to stop hoping that he'll come back. Even though it kills me to forget about him for now, it's been three years since I seen him... I... I need to move on, right?

"Excuse me, but may I ask why you have such an expensive necklace on?" She tilts her head making her long snow-white hair to flow along her waist. A thick ribbon holds her thick hair in a low ponytail so it makes it seem longer than mine.