Noah

Prologue

The street was strangely familiar. It was dark, shadows infecting any areas not glowing with street lights. Litter and cigarette butts huddled in the curbs, conspiring against me. Puddles shimmered and shivered under the weight of the downpour, spilling over the curbs and clambering down the drains. The air was like a sponge, scrubbing filth out of my lungs and cleaning them. I'd heard the rain tapping on the windows before, but I hadn't ever seen or heard it up close. It was bizarre, water coming from the sky- and not in chunks or sheets, in thousands of individual droplets, each diverse from the others.

I glanced back, towards the house. It was dark, the curtains drawn, the front door wide open. Part of me wanted to go back inside and hide in there, but I couldn't. I couldn't go back in there and...

A little blue car trundled past, making a clanking sound, the headlights cutting a swathe in the dark road. I stared in wonder as the four chunks of rubber carried plates of heavy metal along the street... a person was in there. I tilted my head slightly, wondering how it worked. I'd seen cars of course, but never up close.

I took a step forward, the hard concrete digging into my bare feet. My clothes were soaked, and I was suddenly aware that I was cold, and shivering. What a strange sensation. My body uncontrollably quaking, something I couldn't even stop.

Suddenly, the sound of sirens cut through the peaceful rainfall. I recognised that sound of course- the police. I glanced down at the blood soaking my t-shirt, and covering my hands.

Without another moment's hesitation, I started running down the street. I'd never properly run before, but I was fast. No consideration to where I was going, I kept running, turning street corners and alleys. I found myself in a brightly lit area, with shops on either side of the street. Trees had been allowed to grow out of the concrete at regular intervals. A group of teenagers, probably a bit older than myself were standing in front of one of the shops with a bottle of alcohol and cigarettes. A couple were taking a late night stroll. Other than that, it was empty.

Nobody paid me any attention.

I glanced down again, and realised that the rain had washed the blood out of my clothes and off my hands. Wearily, I settled down in one of the shops' overhang, where the rain couldn't get to me. I huddled up, shivering. The awe of being free had worn off, and suddenly, I only felt cold and alone.

I glanced across the street to the group of teenagers. They were laughing and joking. I wondered if I should go and join them. Of course not.

I curled up in the corner, hoping that I would warm up soon. As I wrapped my arms around my knees, I wondered if I'd done the right thing.