Artificial garden

Scene 1: A look into the siblings past

The scene begins with no character present. However the setting is dim. Looming trees conceal most of the sky and there is an intense shade of green and blue along the walls and floor. There is a slither of white light from the moon that acts as a spotlight for the approaching characters:

Enter Aiden Noir, a young man of 16, breathless, dressed in clothing slightly torn: a jacket with visible rips and tears partially concealing a standard purple shirt overlaid by black jeans and tattered boots

Another character closely follows

Marie, a young lady of the age of 19 dressed in a frail, slightly battered pastel coloured dress, accompanied by a white apron and a pained look resting on her face. She attempt to catch her breath before trying to speak

Aiden begins to pace

Marie: where do you think you're going? Come back here right now! Aiden!

Aiden: what?

Marie: wha-? Are you deliberately ignoring me? Just wait. Please. I don't understand why you're doing this but, just think about it. You have everything here, everything you need. Come on, let's just go back and-

Aiden: if you think that you're going to drag me back to that- that torture then think again Marie there no chance in hell. I'm not staying any longer! I can't I -I won't.

Marie: what do you mean? I don't understand.

Aiden: I mean that I'm going to get out of here even if it kills me.

Marie: no. no you can't leave! This is our home! This is the only place we have. There's nothing out there for you!

Aiden: what do you know?! You've always been blinded by their charades. Their toying with us. Toying with you. They're keeping us away from, whatever the hell is out there; and god dammit, I bet it's a lot better than in here.

(Silence)

Marie: I-

Aiden: look, let me ask you this, why even bother to take me back? You can clearly see that my choice is final and I'm already a sorry excuse for a brother so why bother trying?

Marie: (pause) I don't want to be alone here...

Aiden: what?

Marie: I don't want to leave either but, I don't want to be alone. You're the only member of the family I have. Aiden, we only have each other now. So, please, don't leave... don't leave me!

(A loud bang is heard emanating from an unfamiliar character slamming her hand on a table. Marie, who was playing with a single red rose placed in a glass of water, snaps back into the reality of her florist shop: a cheery coloured room filled with many types of coloured flowers decorating the scene)

Izabella: hellooo?

Marie: ...I-um...

Izabella: did you zone out again?

Marie: what? No! Not at all, I was, I was just-

Izabella: don't lie to me.

Marie: no I wasn't, I was just counting, um, I've had a lot of customers recently and-

Izabella: just give it up already. Tell me what's wrong!

Marie: nothing, there's nothing wrong I'm just tired is all.

Izabella: really.

Marie: yes.

Izabella: ...I don't believe you.

Marie: well, what do you suppose I say then?

Izabella: well maybe you should start with "hey Bella, sorry but there is something on my mind, can I talk to you about it?"

(There's silence from Marie)

Izabella: geez...Ever since, three years ago you've began to close yourself up and away from everyone. Where supposed to be like sisters or something. At least by now I'd think so any ways...so are you gonna tell me or...?

Marie: ...Aiden...

Izabella: what?

Marie: I need to see him. What if he came back? What if he's hurt or, or worse!

Izabella: what in god's name are you talking about? Get a grip!

Marie: I-I I'm sorry but have to go and check, p-please wait here.

(Marie exits the stage as if she is going through a back room in her shop)

Izabella: wh- check what? Where are you going? Marie!

Scene end