Rising Up

Chapter 1

          Cold. The first thing that came to my mind as I stared up at the three grey, lifeless moons above me.

 The world around me moved about in a chaotic whirl. The grass beneath my back was damp and the cold dewdrops soaked through my clothing. My mind wandered elsewhere as I watched the last sun slowly set beyond the mountains on the other side of the Ember woods. It was getting colder and my skin tingled as small goosebumps rose over the length of my bear arms. Storm clouds set overhead, blocking out the stars from my line of vision.

 I felt my eyes drift close as I listened to the wind. I always loved the smell of nature right before it rained. It was always so calming. I was often found out here, lying under the sky. My room was suffocating and I felt trapped inside my own home. It felt as if a guy like me really didn't have the right to live within a warm home. I was considered scum anyhow.

The light from the front window spilled out into the yard where I lay, and cast strange shadows on the trees in front of me. A cold rain drop splattered on my forehead. It was freezing and slightly burned my skin as another drop hit my thigh. I listened to the mumbled voices from inside. I couldn't make out any words but the voices calmed me, as the rain started pouring. I shut my eyes as my skin started to burn due to the harsh fall rain.

My skin was freezing. I never felt so cold in my life. I forced out a cough that caused my muscles to contract resulting in pain ripping through my limbs. My skin went numb as I used my remaining strength to curl into a tighter ball, but as much as the nearly frozen water hurt me I never wanted to go back inside. I never wanted to feel trapped again, but I knew that would never happen. Eventually someone would come out and force me back inside where I couldn't get away.

My only hope was to somehow leave this world before that moment came. Even if that meant just within my mind. I noticed tears streaming down my face due to the hot contrast to the frosty cold of the rain. I closed my eyes, my body trembling violently in muscle jerking shivers. My soaking clothing felt as if it was strangling me, trying to drain away my life. My eyes slowly gazed upward as I heard the door open and close. I listened to the rhythm of the person's footsteps as they approached me.

Sam

"What are you doing out here, Allen?" Sam's voice was warm but stern. My I slowly looked up towards my older brother's face taking in his features and stopping on his piercing green eyes. How do I tell him I came out here to freeze?

"I don't know" I stated quietly, turning my gaze back towards the clouds above me. I felt bad that he came out here and was now standing in this miserable rain. I hadn't wanted anyone to come out just because I was out here. He stepped closer to me.

"You'll catch a cold" he said as if to inform me of the obvious fact. I forced out a painful chuckle and closed my eyes, feeling the rain pound down on my face. He always thought just because he was officially an adult he could tell me what to do. He left out a sigh and kneeled down to my side. I glanced over at him willing him with my eyes to go back inside.

He slid his muscular arms under me and picked me up. I lacked the strength to actually do anything so I didn't protest. He smiled down sadly at me and stepped up the porch stairs. He slowly entered the house, kicking the door closed behind him. My arms trembled greatly as the wave of warm air set over me and filled my lungs. I closed my eyes, focusing solely on his footsteps and heartbeat. He carried me up the stairs towards my room.

"Why did you go outside in the first place?" he asked suddenly. I opened my eyes and looked upward at the ceiling. I could feel his eyes bearing holes into me as I thought about how I'd correctly answer that.

"I don't like inside" I said humbly, still avoiding his wandering gaze. "I like the rain, so cold yet so warm." My teeth clattered as I hugged my arms to my chest. He let out another disappointed sigh that caused my heart to ache. He entered my room laying me down on my bed. I heard him mutter something as he shuffled out of my room. I lifted my arm, shielding my eyes from the bright fluorescent lights.