Ashrow: The Healers

The beginning

The beginning.

It was a seemingly normal day on Ashrow, 16 year old Aria arrived home from school. Aria was happy because she had past her special ability text, which meant she was able to use her powers outside school safely.

Aria sat on the couch, smiling to herself, maybe now that she'd past her examinations she'd be able to get a job, she thought. Then she would be able to get enough money to get a remedy for her mother's sickness. Looking over to her mother, Aria noticed that she was sitting on the old rocking chair wrapped in a blanket, she was asleep.

The sound of a voice snapped Aria out of her reverie, she quickly calmed down when she realized it was just the communicator- a small device fitted into every house to broadcast the days news.

"We are here today with-" began the presenters voice.

"The healers are coming be warned for we shall all become mourners." interrupted an old man's voice.

The presenter chuckled, "What shall we do hide our loved ones?" he mocked.

"There is no hiding fromthe healers, they will always find you, run, run as far as you can." the old man replied.

"Look we know that your getting to the end of your time now and-

The presenter had been cut off and the was now a loud screeching sound that caused Aria to wince. Healers, she thought, could the man be any more insane.

The screeching noise stopped abruptly, Aria sighed in relief but then ground beneath her feet started shaking viciously. She looked over to her mother and got up to go to her. Aria was knocked to her feet by a violent shake of the ground.

"Aria..." her mother called.

"Don't worry mother." Aria got up and she went over to her mother and helped her up.

"We need to get out," she told her, the shaking had caused items to fall and break, Aria had trouble moving with her mother, for her mother was weak and could not stand properly.

They reached the front door and went out into the towns centre. Aria was shocked to find absolute havoc, the centre was crowded with people shouting and screaming. Some people were on the ground weeping, Aria couldn't help but feel guilty as she passed a woman crying. Had these been the streets she had walk only moments ago? When Aria looked up she saw something strange, there was a hooded figure looking directly at her.

"Run." She whispered to her mother.

Her mother began to move slowly away from Aria. The figure

moved forwards, Aria looked around and saw that another figure had appeared behind her.

The figures were close now and with all the people around her, Aria had no chance of escaping. She screwed her eyes shut, if she was going to die Aria hoped this would relive the pain.

After several moments of closing her eyes and nothing happening she opened them again. The figures had past her and were following someone else.

Before Aria time to register what had happened her mother's screams filled her ears.

Aria ran towards the screams, she was to late. Her eyes widened as she watched her mother scream, hooded people held her. Aria reached out to grab her mother but she was gone. Her mother had disappeared into thin air.

"Mother?" Aria cried.