The Pictures We Paint/ #wattys2019

2

The sun had set over the beautiful land of Vonlea leaving a pink tinged, amber hue in her mist when I arrived at the party Daisy invited me to. Burying my toes in the warm powdered sand, I'm determined to enjoy my night, even if it may be by myself.

As I sit on a overturned brittle log, the happy laughter of the people around me filled my ears, I wondered what would happen if I stood and danced. I cringed at the thought.

I was perfectly content sitting here gazing in in revealed adoration at the powdery, stars that smouldered in the western mist as the wild blackness smothered me in undeniable comfort.

Before us, the fiery bonfire raged as it eagerly devoured the timber. White hot embers tumbled out every now and then only to be nudged back in by one of the guys. It roared gloriously as it flickered and waved before my eyes. Glowing a exquisite, scarlet red, it's tips a ethereal, delicate orange.

I sighed, nudging the sand some more as the soothing ocean swept back and forth in a rythmitical melody that had became a comfort to me over the years. It's azure brilliance shimmering softly in the elusive twilight as ripples ran through its turquoise waters.

This was the part I loathed the most, when people began to ask others for a dance. One by one accepting the offers, until it's was just me- poor, sad, ugly, little Amelia, siting silently on the log, my face burning red with humiliation, embarrassment, shame.

I lowered my eyes to the ground, not bearing to watch the happy twirls of the pretty girls I had envied all my life. Or the men that had never gave me a second glance or thought.

Minutes passed, then hours. People began making their way home. Couples walking together, arms wrapped around each other, whispering sweet words, so blindingly oblivious to anyone else.

Jealously wreaked my soul as I stood up smartly. I didn't want to go home yet, the night was so alluring and delightful that I decided at that moment to go for a quick walk down the back lane that ran around the coastline. It was always the perfect remedy for a troubled mind.

The moist, beautiful wind whistled cunningly across the wild trees that lined the lane as it caressed my face loving, greeting me like a warm, tender freind.

Oh how I loved the wind! It blew dew wet and cool along the grassy roads, as I held my arms out, embracing it's familiar presence, letting it tear through my long dark hair.

There was a queer exhilaration and expectancy in my heart, the night always did that to me. Washing away my pain replacing it with soft relief.

Wild cherry bushes grew lined symmetrically along the pathway growing quite ornamental, it's branches heavy with its crimson fruits. I picked a couple, popping them in my mouth, sighing contently. I filled my lungs with clean, sweet air, then exhaling deeply.

Oh who cared about appearances, freinds, manners and whats-not when there was this beautiful, fragrant world to live in and enjoy.

I froze, a group of clearly drunk men were walking towards me, sing lewd songs on the top of their voices. I searched for a escape route but found nought. Taking a deep breath I walked quickly with my head down, hoping, praying that they'd ignore me or even better, not see me at all.

Of course they didn't.

Their eyes zero on me hungrily, mouths drooling with tantalising anticipation. A sad little girl walking down a dark, empty lane at the dead of night, I mean who wouldn't.
I gulp, fear creeping up my neck.

"What's a little lady like you doing out all alone at night," one of them ask me, whilst the others form silently a rough circle.

I try to scuttle away quickly, pretending I couldn't hear them. Till one of them, the one who asked me the question, grabs hold of the tassels of my shawl.

My patience broke and I whirled round, tearing the cloth out of his grasp glaring menacingly at him, at least I hoped it looked menacing at that point I wasn't sure.

"Fiesty are we, well I always like them with a bit of spice." He snarls ruthlessly edging closer and closer.

My heart stopped beating. I could feel its sudden halt as its familar beat ceased. I let my eyes flutter close and sank to the ground, eyes open but unseeing.

"The gal sick, come let's get out of here." The men run away like the animals they are, prying on weak defenceless women. I gasped as my chest constricted painfully, was I to die here, alone like I always were?

Lying on the rough ground like a lost toy, I though about the life I had missed, the life that shimmered past me like a silky cloud, so close yet so far. Hands always reaching for it and when I did grasp it, it crumbled in my hands and slipped through my fingers like sand, I could almost hear it's taunting laughter echoing hauntingly at my pathetic desperation.

How was it, that even in times of death I was always, always forgotten, left in the dust as unwanted property. Forlon tears cascade sideways down my face, dripping into my hair.

"No one would miss me," I thought. Closing my eyes I prepared to die, waiting for death to blow his icy mist over my eyes and take my soul away.

I, Amelia Lissel, who had never lived was going to die.

Oh how unfair!

"A rather rough place to sleep don't you think ma'am?" A tawny lad bent over me his voice filled with mirth.
"Mind you I suggest you sew up some leaves to make a blanket, gets cold at night."

I couldn't move though my mind was racing with thoughts. Who was this boy that had appeared suddenly?

"Oh go away," I whispered, "I'm dying can't you see."

I waited for him to kneel down and ask me if he could help. Instead he exploded with laughter and bent down.

"Well girl, if your dying I think you should die in a hospital, maybe not on the ground outside, alone. Come on let's take you to doc truce, he's just round this bend." He heaved me up to my feet and I saw his face for the first time. Dark thick hair with mischievous green eyes. I knew him but somehow had no clue on his name. "Do you live around here? I've seen you before."

"Yeah I do, now come on, we haven't got all day or night one could say." He held me by the waist and we hobbled slowly to the doctor.

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