Short Stories

TheLeopardOfSnow

Ok, this is TheLeopardOfSnow here. After writing this..I kinda felt...proud. I'm thinking of actually doing this on my real account, as a real book. If you like it. Please comment, give me criticism and your thoughts. Thanks! ;)

I could see. Nothing. My vision nothing but darkness blotched with white patches. My head still aching as I tried to cool it against the cold, moss covered stone wall behind me. Why. The only question. The only thought that pulsed through my head. Why. Why me. Why now. Why there. Why. Why. Why.

I was nothing special. Nothing more than average or ordinary...if anything. Less. I remember the day, clear as ever. Still burnt into my mind, always there. Threatening me to try and forget...

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It was the first day of  Winter, and Autumn heaved its last fateful breath. A cool breeze passed through the cramped streets, tinted with warmth and the smell of honey , the vision of crisp autumn leaves and bare, ever reaching trees. I took a large gulp of the autumn air. The last one to come, for a while. It invigorated all the memories of this Autumn. Playing out in the fields, running over the dry crisp leaves in the forest, climbing the bare monstrous trees... Everything we did to get away from this world. Reality.

My drunken uncle. Who would beat me black and blue. Even when my screams were to hoarse and overused to be heard. The alcohol ridding him of all compassion, all care. Unleashing everything...onto me. The one that was always there. Even as he beat me, and threw me, and cursed towards me. His breath forever reeking of the foul odour he had consumed earlier. I still came back. For if I didn't. I would be tortured in a far worse manner ,by the creatures that roamed our village when night came. And darkness cloaked all. Bringing about the scent of danger and the ever broken knowing of death.

I walked out onto the dirt paths of the street,watching for shards of broken glass. Gleaming, waiting for my bare feet to draw blood from. I tugged my rag shirt further down my wrist. Hiding the cuts and bruises from last night. It wasn't as bad last night, the pub had shut early...yay for me.

I had been wandering mindlessly down the empty streets. Dawdling as time passed knowingly. My thoughts to far from this world to see the dark, richly clothed figures. Watching me.  A voice called out my name from further up the street, a familiar voice. A smile played across my lips before i ran. Dashing down the streets, clouds of dust and dirt billowing at my heels. Leaping over barrels, fences and the rare cat with ease. Wincing slightly as I came down, hard, on the last jump. As the purple bruise on my shin jolted.

Finally arriving at the border of the woods. Now ,mostly looking like a cluster of overgrown twigs stuck in the earth from afar. Hurriedly ,I scaled one of the larger bare trees. Sitting back in the crook of one of the thick branches comfortably. I looked back to see a figure only metres away. A boy, to be precise Kore . He had an olive complexion beneath the layers of dirt and ash, a knotted mess for hair and a bright smile as he ran. His rags the only thing,except for the dirt,holding him down. I, and the whole village, knew. That if he wasn't a poor orphan, growing up in the coal mines. Then he could easily have been royalty, wealth flowing through his veins. For he had the looks, no doubt, and the character ,even the smarts.

I grinned down at him as he scaled the tree with ease. Sliding in beside me. I welcomed his warmth as winter heaved again and again , it's chilly breath. His arm wrapped around my shoulder as I nestled into him. We had been childhood friends ever since I could remember. He was my protection and my comfort. His eyes flicked to my bare arm, as the sleeve slid up. Seeing the numerous cuts and bruises he looked at me, sorrow in his eyes. Before pulling me closer. "You can't let him keep doing this to you. I won't allow it", he whispered strongly. "We. We. We can run away together", he suggested slowly.

I turned my head, looking into his deep chocolate eyes. He brushed a mousey brown, dirt caked , curl from my face. His smile warm and caring. I nodded slowly, "Tonight", I whispered hoarsely. His face lit up, pulling me in closer. As we looked out across the mess of a village. The beautiful scenery in the distance. Hope in our hearts.

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I held my breath, for what reason. I didn't know. I knew he wouldn't be back for another two or three hours. So I was safe, but something told me to remain silent. I didn't have much. I'd taken my uncles old, torn backpack. Filled with my belongings, which was a sparse collection of not much more than necessities. Two changes of my normal rags, a stale sandwich and a wilted daisy chain. From when Kore and I were younger. It was the morning after I my uncle had gotten drunk, much more than usual. And he had beaten me so hard, I'd collapsed. Kore had taken me deep into the forest. Into an abandoned, hidden valley. Where we played and talked and comforted each other. And, as the sun began to hide, gave me a gift. A dainty daisy chain. In which I had kept all these years.

I held the backpack carefully between my shoulder blades. Careful of the tears. Before dashing out into the night. Passing the small clay buildings silently. Trying to remain unknown. I could see the woods in the distance. And there, sitting night in one of the stick like, shadowed trees. Almost invisible, sat Kore. Waiting. A smile plastered itself on my face as I ran. Peering carefully past the last building. The pregnant moon high in the inky blackness of sky, shining down upon my path.

When suddenly a shadow shot out from the alley way just behind me. Grabbing my wrist and, with a quick, painful jolt. Pulling me into the alleyway. I tried to wriggle from the strong, unknown grasp. Tendrils of fear creeping their way into my chest. Panic. I could just make out four or so figures standing around me. My head shot to the face of the one holding me, a cold sneer and deep eyes that never seemed to end with darkness, meeting my stare. I saw the shadow of an arm rise, against the cold stone not far from me. And my last thought was how Kore would wait there, alone in the night. Forever waiting for me to return. Until the warm sun rose and he knew I had abandoned him. Feeling foolish and betrayed...losing all care of the world. Becoming like a blank piece of parchment. Forever. I let out a sharp, painful scream. I called his name. Hoping that he would know. That it was me. It rung through the empty air, like a sickly melody. Before a thick, heavy object collided with my head. And the world went black.

© TheLeopardOfSnow

Again, please like, and comment. Your criticism and thoughts, also if you want me to continue. Thanks again ;)