The Forgotten Soul

Chapter One

I'm screwed.

It's the only thought that goes through my mind as I read this morning's paper. Apparently something bad happened at Central Point Private school so the upper classes were being sent to the public schools. The press wouldn't publish the cause of the expedition until they got permission from the kingdoms, but NorthEast K. High school was the next best thing above Central Point. If you didn't get it by now then that's where I go. The more people there, the harder it will be to go unnoticed and I've done a mighty fine job of being invisible so far.

I inhale deeply before walking back to my room. I didn't have time to think about this. There's no point in stressing myself out over things that haven't happened yet.

Nonchalantly, I threw on a sleeveless dark blue T-shirt and some black jogging shorts before heading out for, you guessed it, a jog. It was a Tuesday and, once I got the stress of the future off my mind, I was feeling well enough to take the scenic route which consisted of running by Ms. Stone's house and the watering hole for the animals. Believe it or not, the animals were more peaceful than most of the human beings I've encountered, which are in fact a few so I guess that really doesn't say much.

After I was past the gate of Tian's Giant Woods, I began heading back taking the same route. If I was lucky enough I wouldn't run into anyone. If by some miracle a stranger came down this road with my intricately, self-paved sidewalk, my hope was that they would ignore me.

As soon as I step back into the front door of my quaint apartment I sigh.

Safe!

I go to the mini fridge and grab a water bottle and begin to chug it down, when Terra steps out of the restroom, the light illuminating the darkened room.

"Morning Anani," she says. I smile in return.

"Have you read the paper," I ask her, knowing we both thought the fewer the people the better the world, although we both have different reasons for this belief. She shook her head already heading to the table where the paper was. She scans it quickly before a scowl inches its way across her face. When she finishes she starts crumpling it up as if to erase its existence.

"Hey! I was going to finish reading that," I pout. She rolls her eyes and gives a small smirk.

"On whose time," she states pointing to the cherry red clock hanging above the library of books we have, lined and stacked on shelves adjacent to each other. "We only have thirty more minutes until we need to leave."

My eyes get big. Once I notice that she's in fact already dressed and ready, I discard the empty water bottle in the recycling bin and rush towards the shower in my room. She yells something that I didn't quite understand but I say okay anyway. I take a ten minute shower and wash my hair. I got dressed quickly still wishing I had the air affinity so my long, dark brown hair could be dry instantly. I shrug the thought away and decide to go with two low fishtail braids before grabbing a grey t-shirt which was more of a halter top and black high waisted jeggings. I take the same converse I always have and slide them on before I brush my teeth, wash my face and smile for the metaphorical camera before heading back to the kitchen.

Terra was eyeing two ungrilled cheese sandwiches on a plate when I entered so I raised an eyebrow. She was just staring at the bread so I brought my hands together and clapped near her ear, the sound resonating throughout the apartment. She is unfazed by the action but she does shift to glare at me.

"Finally," she says when she sees me, as if I just magically popped up instead of walking out of my room. "I'm going to starve waiting for you. Can you cook this for us? The stove is acting up again."