Astray in the Dark

Chapter 1

Alicia's POV

I opened my eyes, seeing a world covered in white. Frosted flakes wrapped everything in a freshly formed blanket, preserving life and making this desolate world even colder.

Beep.

In the centre of this panorama was a young boy, his hair as dark as midnight. He sat quietly on a set of lonely swings, his eyes reminding me a frozen pond; so full of life yet so uncertain... as if he were trapped beneath a sheet of ice.

Beep.

Hazy like a mirage, the scene before me seemed like an incomplete puzzle. Something is absent, a main element is missing.. I'm unable to put my finger on what it is.

Beep.

The wind began to howl as the snow piled up in drifts, blinding me with ice-white dust. The park, the boy, everything that loomed in my vision suddenly vanished without a trace. I was swallowed by a white mist, and slowly submerged into the rambunctious wailing of an alarm..

Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Groaning with a slight grumble, I tossed and turned in my bedsheets in an attempt to turn off my alarm clock. A strategic move by the me who was awake, was to make it just out of my reach. Cruel, yet necessary.

After successfully disengaging the hellish device, I sauntered into the bathroom. When I glanced in the mirror, I frowned. Not only was my hair tangled into a birds nest, my bare arms were covered in multiple cuts and bruises.

"I guess it'll be long sleeves again today," I whispered to myself, letting out a long sigh.

I finished up quickly and got ready, throwing on a black sweater with navy blue ripped jeans. I slipped on my pair of preowned clarks, slung my beige rucksack over my shoulder, and stepped out into the hallway.

Having no one to say goodbye to, I left without a word.

Outside, the streets that were once sleek new tarmac have now been greyed by the bleaching sun. The pavements are a monochrome of patchwork, lined with a shiny boarders of tar. The trees that were once fine saplings with soft spring foliage are now gnarled embittered trees, growing tall but without strength; competing against the buildings when it comes to terms of height.

I walked down the limestone brick path as the morning light struggled its way through musty grey clouds. The air is cold, having the same dampness which comes before a rainstorm. Situated on either side of the road are shops and houses, cafes and bookstores; everything you'd expect to find on a main road.

"Mommy, Daddy!" I heard a young voice echo from the opposing side of the road. I turned my head to see a little girl, being escorted by her parents. To school most likely. They all seemed happy, generally cheerful smiles on their faces.

That must be nice...

I continued, walking straight to school. As I walked through the steel gates, my ears detected a heard of stampeding elephants coming up from behind me. I already knew who it was.

"Ali~," The voice of my best friend, Charlie, boomed from behind as she approached at a rapid speed.

"Hey Charles," I responded whilst pivoting on my ankle, turning to face her completely.

Charlie was a tomboy, and a beautiful tomboy at that. She had long blonde hair that gracefully fell down to her mid back in waves, perfectly contrasting with her light blue sapphire eyes. She leaped and bounded towards me until she made impact, linking my arm and dragging me into the building. "Excited? We finally get a break from this hell hole." She exerted sarcastically.