Bones.

Chapter One

I glance around at the mess of my bathroom, sighing as I pick up the heap of towels beside the bath. I grab my phone out of my pocket, getting distracted by the notification that appears on my screen Twitter: @Louis_Tomlinson: So who wants to have lunch me and the boys? Enter the competition here -> www.competitionhive.com/LouisTomli...' I immediately unlock my phone to click on the link.

'This tweet has been deleted' appears on my screen. What. Louis. Bruh.

I groan, putting my phone on the windowsill and finish tidying the bathroom.

"Dinner's ready" my mum calls up the stairs to me and my younger sister Lola, who has been sat on the landing watching me tidy up. I pick Lola up, mumbling sweet rhymes to her as I make my way down stairs. I place Lola in her high chair at the end of the table, "Grab Lo a cup out of the cupboard will you sweetheart?" my mother asks whilst placing a bowl of baby food in front of Lola "there should be some juice for her in the fridge"

I sort my sister's drink out and take a seat opposite my mum who has put a plate full of spaghetti and salad in front of me. "Looks delicious" I comment, spinning the spaghetti around my fork. I try to think of how much I've eaten today, one apple for breakfast and a bowl of cucumber with a glass of water for lunch. I've eaten too much already today, I think to myself looking down at my stomach, if I eat much more I'm sure to be sick. My stomach knots at the thought and I place my knife and fork on my plate.

"Ella" my mum says, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I feel my cheeks burn in embarrassment, "Sorry, what did you say?"

She sighs, obviously annoyed at my lack of attention "I said, are you not hungry?" I shake my head, pushing my food around my plate. "Go on then" she says, nodding towards the stairs as if to say I can leave the table.

I shoot my mother an apologetic smile before I leave the table, kissing Lola's forehead on my way past. I pull myself up the wooden steps into my bedroom and shut the door behind me.

Taking the scales out from my wardrobe, I kick the black sandals off my feet and carefully stand on the small plastic square. 8st2lb. I've gained weight, I feel my jaw tense in disgust. My fingertips find their way to my thigh where my scars lay, I trace them slowly thinking about the last time I've harmed myself.

"I'm a monster" I whisper to myself, still tracing the tiny pink lines. Sighing, I step off the scales and place them back in my wardrobe. I need to lose more weight, I read online that being overweight can cause you to be sick, the thought makes my heart race.

I think about going to the gym but I know I don't have enough money to get in. I pull out my running shorts and a tank top, pulling my hair into a high pony tail. "I'm going running for a bit mum" I tell her, taking my iPod from its charger in the kitchen and I attach my headphones.

"Okay don't be too late" she says whilst trying to mop the floor around Lola.

"I won't" I smile. My iPod plays 'Ed Sheeran- Give Me Love' as I start running, the sun slowly sets behind me. I cross the busy high street and continue running until I reach the woods. My mother had warned me years ago not to go in here because I could get myself lost and end up being eaten by a bear, as I grew up I realise I'm not scared of getting lost anymore, I've already lost myself.

I take my normal route through the trees and down to the shallow stream, sitting on the same rock as I always do, I pull my headphones out of my ears and put my iPod in my pocket.

The birds sing around me and the water trickles over the tiny stones on the river bed, it's always so peaceful.

I let out a long sigh, untying my trainers and dangling my toes in the fresh water, it cools me down in an instant. I love sitting here, away from the village and the people in it.

As a child I would walk past these old trees on my way to school every morning, my little feet would carry me faster as I passed, afraid of what was lurking in the trees. I smile at the memory; it had become a routine for me, practically sprinting past this beautiful place, unaware of the tranquillity that awaited me. I would always be out of breath when I reached the school gates.

The smile fades from my lips, the memory drowns in my storm of a brain and I'm back to myself, lonely and broken, a frown set upon my face.

I start to notice the sun fading quickly behind the tees, the wood seems to stretch for miles without the flicker of sunlight dancing through the leaves, it's a dark mess.

Suddenly I become aware of my surroundings, I grab my trainers from the rock and pull them on my damp feet, not caring to dry them first.

I take off jogging in the direction I think is out, the trees spread out around me, it becomes less dense as I reach the forest edge. I slow down as I reach the path, stopping to regain my breath.

It is pitch black by the time I reach the front of my home. I open the door slowly, cautious of what my mother will say if I wake Lola up.

I kick my trainers off, placing them on the shoe rack before I pad along the fluffy hallway carpet to the lounge. "Mum" I call out, it's silent for a few seconds before I hear a scream and a loud smash.

�