The First Glance

Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

In Florida, April 26, 2006 there was rumor of a fifteen-year-old girl who was wandering the boardwalk near her hometown. After night had fallen she walked back across the boardwalk to look out at the view of the water. There have been no records of why or how, but she had been killed right on the boardwalk. Instead of some regular way of killing (Choking, stabbing, beating, poison, etc.) she was ripped to shreds. Literally, there were tiny pieces of her arm that look like they'd been cut into cubes, therefor they never got to identify the body. This had been done with the rest of body as well, except for the head and eyes. They were just gone. There hasn't been a trace of the parts since, and the case had closed two years later, not finding one trace of the killer. He and/or she keeps striking, but still hasn't been found. Shortly after the case had finally closed, there were sightings of a tall petite girl walking around the boardwalk day and night. She wore the same thing everyday, never talked much, and used to wear the same horrified expression every time someone saw her. Most people explained it as if she was stuck in a scream, her face frozen in time. Later, some people caught sight of her more often, but suspected nothing because of her normal frown that was stuck on her face. People just considered it normal because how rude society is today. Soon afterwards it was found out by 'Peter Dunningswrite' that her name was Natalie, more people started saying they knew her name, just so they could get credit if they guessed right. Then one early October morning, a woman had come screaming that he saw a ghost. Most ignored it and thought it was just a tourist attraction, or another person trying to get on the news. Then, the police desperate for answers, interrogated her, finding out later that the name matched their records.

"I thought it was just a lost girl." she stated, "So I was trying to help her find her way, and she simply said 'This is as far as I can go.' when we hit the end of the boardwalk. I laughed it off at first you know? But then she just disintegrated into air! Just like-" She snapped her fingers. "-that! It scared me half to death!" The woman, Elena Rosenly a girl in her mid-twenties, had then stated that the mysterious girl was none other than Natalia Brown, the girl who'd gone missing the same time the killing spree started. A little afterwards, the news team arrived at Elena's doorstep for an interview. When they finally busted inside, she was lying on the floor, a noose around her neck, a tipped over chair and no sign of anyone anywhere.

CHAPTER I

It was a rainy April morning in Florida, boring and dull. (As per usual) But for Natalia Brown, it was just fine. She sat near the lake, the rain droplets having no affect on her whatsoever. Natalia was happy, well sort of. She was a tad lonely because there were no other people here, or at least not that she could see anyway. Her dark skin glistened in the tiniest bit of sun that peeked through the dark grey clouds. Her long black hair in a tangled braid, and her short, shredded dress tucked under her rear. After what had felt like years, someone arrived. It was a woman, looked in about her forties. Wore a long green and purple dress, a wrap around her messy orange hair, and bright magenta lipstick that brought out her delicate features. Her indigo eyes stared right in Natalia's direction.

"Young lady?" The woman spoke, "Yes?" Natalia said with a nod, her voice barley audible. "Come here honey." As Natalia inched closer and closer to the woman she saw she had cards in her hands. "Pick three." The older female said with a smile. Natalia hesitated and shook her head. "No, I-I shouldn't I'm not...I'm not supposed to-to talk to strangers." She said looking down at her own worn out bare feet. "Oh, but honey I'm not a stranger." The lady put a hand on Natalia's shoulder. "I'm Madam Romig." She said with a smile, she was a short woman, but taller than Natalia, given their age difference. "No...I should really be going." Natalia stated as the woman frowned. "C'mere you-!" She lunged herself towards Natalia and Natalia closed her eyes tightly, embracing for an impact that never came. It felt like wind had just pushed right through her. "How in God's name..." Madam Romig's voice trailed off and Natalia stared. "S-Sometimes that doesn't work..." Madam Romig got up and collected the cards that laid sprawled out on the boardwalk. "Sorry." Natalia said, turning her back and disappearing into the distance, her white dress blending into the foggy morning sky.

Natalia didn't know where she was going, it's not like she could wander far. As she continued on her way she saw a crowd of boys and girls, teenagers, that jogged towards her direction. They motioned for her to get out of the way, but Natalia just stared. The joggers shrugged and ran into her. But instead of toppling over, Natalia stood, all of them walking through her. She was, of course, used to this by now though. After all, this had been the way it was for eight years or so. But one person had stuck in her mind; a tall skinny boy who had started to slow down. He looked behind him, his hazel eyes gleaming into Natalia's coal black ones.

"You alright there lass?" He questioned, as Natalia nodded, noticing some Irish in his accent. "I'm glad, I was surprised you came out clear there!" He chuckled and she kept her normal frown plastered on her face. "Yeah...well, I'm off! Don't wanna get left behind you know? I'd ask for you to join us but eh..." He looked at her apparel and winced. "Wouldn't wanna be runnin' in those!" He chuckled again lightly to himself. "If ya meet me back here tomorrow, same time yeah?" He called as he waved to her, his bright orange curls bobbing up and down as he ran to keep up with the others. Natalia waved back, clueless as to why he'd been so nice, but shrugged it off. She looked turned around and headed toward the railing of the boardwalk and looked over it. The view was beautiful, the water glistening in the sun that now shined bright, and the mountains in the distance standing proud. Natalia sighed, wishing she could go past the barrier of her death to see more.