Never Again

Chapter 1

My whole life I had been told that it was not my fault, saying everything that has happened was just an unfortunate turn of events. A young boy born into the wrong family, always getting caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. That it was out of my control. Yet the constant, don't blame yourself, has now turned into, you should be happy you got out of that town when you did. But how could I ever be happy after that unspeakable incidence. West Oakland will be the death of me, much like it was the poison that infected Milo. If only he was able to come with me, alas that's not the case. And thanks to that dreaded town, it never will be.

My luck was never that great, at least that is what I had thought until I found her. Of course by her I mean the slightly torn and crumpled picture of an absolutely radiant looking girl who's eyes reflected the thought that she was not significant to the world in any way. What a shame that a girl of that divinity could not see herself for what she so clearly is; a masterpiece.

I had found that life changing picture in my new attic, along with a few other belongings. But I never thought much of them after seeing the picture, because if this girl had left them behind, why should I? The only other eye catching item was a written letter. One in a fancy, yet neat handwriting that still smelled faintly of vanilla and coconut. It read,

"It was him. It had always been him. Throughout everything he stood by me, constantly being the rock the rock that held me down on this earth... I suppose I was not his.

I loved him with all my heart, every small and broken piece of it. From the deepest and darkest places there was that glimmer of light that he had cast throughout my body. Lighting it up and electrifying my life. But, just like every candle, the light slowly began to dim. Constantly melting, little pieces disappearing day by day until it finally withered away into nothingness. At least it did for him, my light only seemed to burn brighter.

The world, my world, came crashing down around me when the words left his lips. Causing my lungs to collapse in on themselves making it harder to breathe than it already was. Gasping... Gasping for just one breath of fresh air. Hoping to find at least one good thought in my head that would stop this tidal wave of pain from crashing over me.

But nothing came, no one came. The only things there for me were the trail of tears cascading down my blotchy cheeks and falling onto the floor that was almost as empty as my heart. The only thing there for me was the piercing silence because the sobs that were racking through my body had taken up so much energy so I couldn't even make noise. The only thing there for me was my darkest thoughts creeping into my mind from the most horrific places.

The only one there for me was myself, and that is how it always should have been, that is how it always will be. Because the only thing people do is let you down. No matter how many empty promises they tell you or lies they fill your head with, they will only let you down.

- Claire Maryland"

This forgotten letter, so heartfelt and passionate, was enough to get young Dean Collins hooked. He had become infatuated with the image of the girl he made up in his head. Not entirely though, he knew she had long brown hair which seemed to be naturally straight but curled in the picture. He knew she had bright blue eyes, with a hint of green and gold around her cornea. He knew that she had dimples on both sides of her plush pink lips, although not too deep. Also that she had light freckles across the bridge of her nose and cheeks. He knew that her name was Claire Maryland, and someone had hurt her so deeply that she may not even be fixed. 

Lastly, he knew that he must find her. He has nothing else to live for.