The Day The Lights Went Out

Chapter 1 New Beginings

Clarence wasn't your average teenager. No I don't mean she had super powers (but it was fun to think she did). In the sense your thinking she was quite average. Except for one thing...... Her imagination! When she was quite small. Young Clarence would pretend her backyard was a tropical rainforest. The tall and wide apple tree turned into one with a small trunk that stretched high up into the clouds with waxy leaves and vines. Birds of all kinds would call out to her to come and join them in the treetops.The grass turned into the forrest floor full of leaves, ferns and any type of fungi or mushrooms you could imagine! The sky was no longer there yet now it was replace by a leafy green canopy with only just enough light coming through to guide you through the forrest floor. Her mind was quite extraordinary and creative she could turn any situation into an adventure, but with an imaginative mind comes a great responsibility concentrating. The one thing every teenager struggles with is concentration. Why is it so hard?! I've asked myself the question many times but to no avail. Clarence did very well in school but her lack of concentration and attention span let her down. Just the thought of work could turn her brain from concentration to an adventure in a far away land in a heartbeat. But what purpose does the imagination serve, why is it there and who was the first person or people to discover it? Clarence had pondered these questions many times over but not one thought could come to mind..... Her brain was always buzzing with information but as soon as she asked herself that question her mind went blank. It was as if her own mind was quieting itself so it could ponder the question.

To Clarence her imagination was her lock and chain it made her feel safe and secure she didn't know what she would do without it. Can your imagination disappear or fade like a bruise once it has healed? Or was it like a scar and stays with you forever? So many questions and not enough answers. But why do we ask questions Clarence thought to herself. Her mind instantly began buzzing with this new information it has received, like a student trying to figure out a maths question but couldn't quite figure out the answer. She imagined her subconscious mind as a little man. Who was pacing about scratching the back of his head like the world depended on whether he could come up with an explanation, or an answer quick enough. Well that's what she thought. Maybe some day the world would depend on her mind to solve great things. Like mysteries! Oh yes the thought of a mystery got her mind buzzing once again. Just the thought of solving an important cause gave her tingles of excitement. Instantly the little man came back with a magnifying glass and a long black coat as if ready for action. She giggled quietly to herself as he did a little twirl in front of a mirror that she had put up for him. He was her subconscious. Her guardian angle always looking out for trouble and how to solve tricky problems. Without him Clarence would be very lonely she enjoyed his company even if he couldn't speak to her. Her mother always told her he was just a figment of her imagination. He seemed real enough to her, he was real wasn't he? Her subconscious instantly receiving her question stood in place with a look of shock and sadness. Then her mind went blank..

Coming back to reality she realised she was still in the back yard, the tall trees of the rainforest looming over her making her feel as small as an ant. Looking up through a small gap in the canopy she could see the starry night sky as the moon shone overhead. She let out a long sigh. Breathing in the fresh air one last time before deciding to head back inside and be social. As soon as she entered the kitchen the smell of cooked chicken entered her nose and tickled her taste buds drawing her in to where the delicious smell was coming from. The first thing her eyes caught was her mother tall, long dark hair and chocolate brown eyes. As Clarence approached she turned around. A bit of sweat dripping off her forehead from the heat of the stove. She looked tired drained even, as if almost all the life had been sucked out of her by some hungry demon. At that moment Clarence saw a ghostly figure poke their head out from behind her mum and wink. Then  it vanished. Instantly realising it was her imagination playing tricks on her again she shook her head and made eye contact with her mum again. This time she wasn't there but setting the table with knives and forks. Sighing she strolled over to her mum opening her mouth but closing it realising it was a bad idea.

"Is everything alright Clarence" her mum looked at her questioningly.
"Yes mum everything's fine but I don't think I can say the same for you" she gulped instantly regretting opening her mouth. Sighing her mother looked at her solemnly replying slowly and choosing her words carefully.
"Clarence I um we, need a fresh start. I think it's time we move on from this place" staggering back a little bit Clarence sustained a look of shock not knowing what to think. Her subconscious had left her to figure this out on her own.
"Mum... Are you okay?" She managed to stutter. She didn't feel good about this whatsoever.
"I'm fine sweetie I just need to figure things out again" she paused and had that far away look in her eyes that was present so often, Clarence was starting to associate it with dad.
"Is it about dad?" Clarence questioned knowing the answer but still wanting to hear it anyway. Her mother sighed and sat down. The distant far away look in her eyes was gone, but now it was replaced by sadness and regret?
"Yes it is about dad. His passing has made me wonder what I should do with my life". Her words made Clarence's heart sink. Her subconscious returned deciding it was best to take over at this point. Quivering a bit Clarence slowly walked towards her mum and put her arm around her. She instantly burst into tears.
"How could he do this to me! To you!" She yet again started sobbing taking little sniffs in between. Clarence's brain was on overdrive thinking of ways to make this better or even comfort her mum. But deep down she knew there was nothing she could do so she just held her mum close to her chest and let her weep. She hated seeing her mum like this it made her sad. It made her feel helpless. Even when he was hanging by the rope her mind couldn't come up with anyway to make it an adventure. Instead it let her see it for what it was death. Maybe the adventure was recovering and moving on she thought. Or maybe it was just some cruel joke that life was playing on her. Her mum didn't deserve this no one did.
"Mum dinners getting cold you should eat" she said quietly scared that anything that she said would make it worse.
"Oh yes here you go eat up". Her mother didn't eat though just stared at the food poking it with her fork. When Clarence gave her a troubled look she picked up a piece of chicken and ate it to put her mind at rest. It didn't. When dinner was over Clarence dismissed herself and went up to her room pausing as she passed by the room her father used to sleep.