Chapter 1

228 42 60
                                    


_CHAPTER ONE_

The symphony of the bird's innocent tunes filled my ears as I laid down on the wooden floorboards of the front porch.  The sun gave spotlights of warmth on my closed eyelids giving me a view of red. My pale legs felt goosebumps when the wind blew a leaf to graze up my thigh. I took it in between my fingertips rolling the stem back and forth, allowing the beautiful orange leaf to twirl a slow dance. I let go giving the wind permission to take it where it wanted it to go.
Cold spicy smells of fall entered my lungs giving me the craving for cinnamon coffee paired with banana bread.
Possibilities of that relaxing dream, where rudely interrupted by the screeching breaks of the school bus, stopping in front of my house. In annoyance, I harshly carved my nails into the wood beneath me.
I rose slowly stepping inside of my smoke-filled home. Across the room I spot mom being inattentive to my presence, she was far too busy finishing the last drops at the bottom of her scotch glass. From that usual response, I pay no attention and leave with my headphones in my ears trying to give myself any possible hope for today.

*****************

My feet hit the carpet making thuds as I navigated my way through the school library. My fingers ran over the covers of books sitting up on the bookshelves, As I looked over the titles searching for one in particular.
Skimming over the books in alphabetical order lead me to A, B, then C.
Finally finding the book I've spent the last twenty minutes looking for, relief washes over me. 
I could have asked for help but that would have meant asking. Asking for help meant I would have to speak to someone. From my past experience, it's shown me to just shut up and do it myself. You can't rely on any human being but yourself.

Making my way to the table where I had my things, I gathered them together noticing the time on my phone. In a slow but quick pace, I glided my way to the checkout counter to wait in line.

"Stephen King huh? School assignment or something?" The old librarian smiled crookedly at me.
I don't reply, just lightly smile and nodded my head taking the book back.
It wasn't for a project or assignment. I didn't lie, I just wasn't the kind of person to take every opportunity to spill out my entire day plans. It was only for my free time, which some people would call weirdly peculiar.
I could relate to Carrie. Not in the way you think. I've never had pigs blood poured on me, well not yet at least...

When I finished I slowly slipped out the large double doors and entered a deserted school hallway.
My poetry class was all the way on the third floor, I hated walking up the stairs for that long, but think it would give me more time to dig into my book, I didn't despise it that much. I was hoping that my teacher hasn't left, Leaving my study notebook would allow my semester grade to be not so great.
Walking up the white polished steps, I had my book in my face and my echoed footsteps in my ears.
Nearing the second floor I hear footsteps, which made the hairs on my body to rise up.
I quickly put my book in my satchel and walk a little faster up the stairs.
Hearing footsteps getting closer my body starts its usual panic attack, so I step into a little place near the wall. My pulse rises fast in the pit of my neck giving me a deep cold sweat. I tighten my eyelids praying my thoughts aren't true.

'Please don't be him... Please ... Not him'

When the footsteps start to fade away I shy out of my hiding spot and turn my neck to just see a couple minding their own business. I then let out a deep breath I didn't even know I was holding in.

'Relax Lana... Just breath'

Finally reaching the third floor, I walk in silence grabbing my book to continue reading.
As soon as I reached another corner, a large rough hand grabbed my wrist slamming my body against one of the lockers.
The deep dramatic collision left me breathless. Every source of air left inside me was difficult to find.

MalignantWhere stories live. Discover now