Unredeemable (#Wattys2016) [On Hold]

A Strange Encounter

The tour was going good. Some of the places we visited were breathtakingly beautiful. We were currently on the 5th day of the tour. We were schedule to visit the Pennines, often known as the back bone of England.

It was a nice and warm day. I wasn't really getting used to the cold here. I preferred the warmth back home at Woodhill.

Vicktor had kept up to his words and did not bother me much. We even had a couple of friendly chats, talking about our respective work life.

As we were visiting just one place today we had the afternoon free. I decided to take a walk, normal tourist sight seeing. It wasn't dark yet, so I walked up a path leading towards the woods.

The sunlight streaming through the spaces between the trees left a trail of shadows behind itself. The forest was eerily quiet, except for my loud steps that seemed to cast an echo. There wasn't anyone to hear me, but I still felt the need to be quite and not disturb the silence.

I don't mind being by myself. I cherish the serenity that comes along with being alone. Back home at Woodhill, I would often wander off in search of a quite place, while trying to write. Silence is filled with numerous ideas. It can bring back memories from the past, as well as inspire you to make memories on paper.

I perched my self over a low branch. Thinking about my recent book and its failure. I tried really hard not to pay much attention to the negative comments I received, but honestly they hurt. People can be really mean at time's, saying things that could really do a number on someone.

Taking out my I-Pad, I stared at the wallpaper. It was the cover of my last book in 'The Second World' series. I missed writing it. It was my best work,the books got me fame, money and happiness, And it took away all of those when I couldn't come up with another book.

May be I should declare the third book as the final one and start a new series. I was so lost in my thoughts, looking for inspiration, that I lost track of time.

It was dark, but the sky was illuminated with billions of stars. Looking up towards the star I was once again reminded of that day.

Eight years back...

A week before I received my first award, my school had declared that we would be hosting the most prestigious competition of our town, 'The Master of Words'
Vicktor was obviously excited, he had a handful of his previously written work that he could chose from and submit. I knew it in my heart that this title belonged to Vicktor. He was the best writer our school had ever had.

Secretly I wished I could participate too. I had just completed my first book; 'Parallel'. It was based on a fictional world which existed parallel to our own. I knew I had no chance of even reaching the top 5, but a nagging thought which kept repeating itself in my head.

"Just search within."

So i gave in my work on the last day of the entries submission. No one knew about me participating in the competition. I already knew I wouldn't win, so I kept my participation a secret.

On the day of the competition finale, our school was decorated with streamers and balloons. We had a panel judges and a chief guest, present during the felicitation ceremony. We even had our school magazine and editorial board recording the ceremony. The whole school was attending it. It felt like graduation but at an all new level.

The participants were asked to sit on the first couple of rows. I sat at the back, already knowing the results and preparing myself to cheer for Vicktor.

The principal begin with the inauguration speech, introducing the judges and special guests. I tuned them out, already celebrating my best friends victory in my head. The chief guest, the one handing the awards to the winner was supposedly the owner of a very famous publishing house called 'Raven Publishers'. He was handed the mic to say a few words.