When Annabelle, a young eighteen year old is sent to her grandmothers attic to fetch something she discovers some old photographs and newspaper clippings from 1919. The dates go back to when her grandmother was a child and lived out her own teenag...
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I watched as light rain descended from the sky, lightly hitting the ground creating a small metallic ting on the green railing in front of me. Awaiting the bus I counted the cars that went by and imagined I was someone else even just for a little while, sometimes its nicer to just imagine rather than face reality. A sigh escaped my lips as the silver bus approached the small station located on the left hand corner of the road. I arose from my cross legged position on the concrete pavement and fished out the loose money id been saving for my trip.
The driver was an older male who looked to be in his mid 60's, he had a pale complexion and speckled grey hair that was neatly combed back in a stylish manor. "Looks like your the first of few this morning" the man chuckled, I couldn't help but smile at how joyful he was even on such a dreary day. "I suppose I am" I replied walking further into the bus and taking a seat opposite the driver at the front of the bus. I watched as the doors closed and the bus began to drift down the never ending streets.
"so where are you off to miss?" the man broke the silence that hovered within the empty bus, "Im visiting a relative, I haven't seen them in a while and I just kind of... missed them" The last words where almost a whisper. The driver must have sensed it was a sensitive topic and as politely as he could manage he tried to change the subject. "Oh, um I suppose you'll be getting off in no time to see them eh?" I smiled weakly to myself, if only he knew how long my journey has already been.
"Once I get to London im actually traveling to Birmingham so it might be a while yet" his smile reappeared and I returned the gesture. The bus came to a slow halt at the train station and I slid out from my seat and thanked the driver before hurrying down the stairs into the subway tunnel so that I could reach my train in time. Id ran out of time to grab more money on the way out of the house this morning and scrambled to snatch anything I could before rushing out of the house and leaving a note on the kitchen counter.
I leaped over multiple barriers reaching the platform that I needed and finally deserving some rest slid down against one of the pale blue railings. My train had been changed to one of the outside rail lines, luckily the rain had ceased and now only a thick coat of cloud covered to the sky. Catching my breath I awaited for the train to arrive, watching the multiple people that scattered on and off the trains, being taken to their desired destination. Soon id be with my nan and id finally be free from all my issues back at home.
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After waiting for fifteen minutes the train pulled up and I managed to squish between hundreds of people entering the train without suspicion. I went to the lower level on the train and took the vacant window seat directly beside the stairs leading back to the centre carriage. Drifting in and out of sleep for an hour I eventually heard the intercom announce that the next stop was closest to Birmingham. Swiftly I maneuverer my way through the sea of standing people, earning myself a spot right in front of the train doors.
Like a flood everyone came gushing out of the metallic sliding doors, eager to get to their desired location which for many was work. I glanced up towards the neon lit clock upon the roof of the building and saw that it was now almost 11am. It wouldn't be long now before my grandmother would be off for her daily walk to the supermarket. I followed the flow of people down and out of the station which lead me out onto the main street. If my memory is correct im only four streets away from my grandmothers house.
I began walking, removing the hood from my grey jumper from my head and headed towards the direction I last thought my grandmother lived. The last time id seen her was at Christmas, the entire family had made the trip up to see her and we decorated the entire outside of the house in fairy lights. It was beautiful. I passed many cottage like houses which earned me a few stares from some of the locals who looked to be the same age as myself. I guess to them I was an outsider who didn't belong in their world. After a fair amount of walking down an old cement path I finally reach my destination.
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The house was exactly the way I remembered it, old tan stone walls covered in ivy and a beautiful garden surrounding it. I could tell no one was home when walking up to the front door due to the lack of music being played. My grandma loves music and is one of the only people that encourage my own personal talents when it comes to music. I took a seat on the swing chair located in on the front porch beside the door and waited, admiring my surroundings.
"Annabelle?" I looked at the direction the voice was coming from and there she was in her old blue jeans, white blouse and signature crazy shoes. Today they where a metallic gold colour embellished with gold detailing. I stood from the chair and ran down towards her "yeah its me" I wrapped my arms around her smiling. "what are you doing here?" she laughed returning the embrace "I missed you and needed a get away" a small nod of understanding was all it took as we began to take the shopping inside the house. "I guess you'll be sleeping over for a few days then" as we walked into the house we placed our things on the kitchen table and began unpacking. "If thats okay with you" I looked at the floor before being engulfed in another hug.
