Before the Angels Fall

Chapter 1~ Just a Normal Day

I walked down the sidewalk, arms swinging aimlessly by my sides. My pink dress fluttered in the breeze; with blue Converse shoes that fitted stylishly with the outfit. I swirled a red lollipop around my mouth with my tongue, gently savoring the sweet flavor.

Looking up at the bright blue sky, I longed to be free as a bird and spread my wings, escaping from imprisonment. Yes, imprisonment. I was imprisoned. That's how I felt everyday, trapped inside my own nightmare, not being able to control anything that happened. But that's life, isn't it? Reality hurts as much as a thousand needles stabbing you.

However, there can be some times of happiness. True, I have felt happiness at least once in points of my life. Small stars of enjoyment, minuscule against the pitch black that threatens to envelop me everyday. Struggling to breathe, I manage to stay afloat the dangerous waters. But I will never know when I might just give up and let the darkness that I had locked away destroy me. Cheerful thought.

Putting in my earplugs, I turned on my phone and started playing my favorite songs. The music was only a drug, though, and it didn't erase my dark thoughts. It only served as a distraction so I could calmly complete my walk around the neighborhood.

The wind started blowing again. Harsher, punishing any proud flower, forcing it to cave in like a reed. Only the strong oak trees managed to stay still throughout the windstorm. I started to run, faster, faster, faster, as fast as my legs could carry me back home.

Home. What was that? For me, I can't give a direct answer. I have close to no place where I can feel at home. Sad, right? But you get used to it, the feeling of incompleteness and distance. Or do I just ignore the feelings now...?

I finally made it home. I opened the door quickly yet quietly so as not to disturb my parents watching T.V. Dinner was ready and was placed on a wooden table in the center of the kitchen. Chicken, broccoli, and rice were spread out in plain dinner plates. Soup had been ladled out into small bowls. The stove was still on; its flames flickering blue and weak.

I held my lollipop in one hand as I stuffed down my cold meal. Running upstairs to my bedroom, I changed into a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. I flopped down on my bed, headphones on my head, playing music in my ears, still sucking my lollipop. 

"Ariana, did you eat yet?"

"Yeah. Did you, Louis?"

"Yep. School tomorrow."

A sigh. "Damn. I'm going to sleep. Not excited at all."

"Of course."

Those were the last words I heard before my head hit the pillow, and all I felt was the feeling of remorse. Like a hole that can never be covered up, a mouth that can never close.