Relinquished Darkness

Chapter 1: Amara

When I was younger there was a story that went around school about this little girl in a tree. The story took place in my elementary which happened to be a hurricane shelter, once upon a time. The little girl was said to be about the average height of an 8-year-old yet no one knew her age. She had long black hair that hung right at the base of her hips and wore a bleach-white dress. Every day, during recess to be exact, she would climb up a secluded tree in the school field and write in her diary. No one knew what she wrote in her diary, but most had their assumptions. The little girl was said to be quite mysterious. She was, by society's standards, considered a loner; Never seemed to care enough to talk to other kids nor cared whether she was ignored or noticed. One day she was in the girls' restroom when a group of girls bullied her down the path of no return. The bullying started with insults and slowly built up into pure white rage, leaving the small girl motionless on the floor. The girl was presumed to have died in the second floor girls' bathroom of Crescent Light Elementary. As the years passed by, it was said that when the season changes to fall and October comes around, the little girl would appear in that same bathroom; Bloodied face, cracked mirror, the whole freak show. They even claim to have found her journal one year, yet I can't seem to remember if I learned the contents inside the journal. I've been obsessed with reading about demented/ scary myths ever since. My name is Amara. I'm just your average 17-year-old girl with a lot of issues on the inside. So in other words, your modern teenager. I don't like to share much about myself but I really love scary shit and we're about a week away from Halloween. This year I plan to be something epic. Just don't exactly know what. An idea will conjure up eventually.

I wrote my last thoughts into my notebook and slammed down my pencil. I've always wanted to write a story and as of lately, I've clung to the moment I may actually create one and be as good as Jennifer L. Armentrout. As I got up from my creaky desk, I realized it was only noon. Still had 2 more hours in this hell hole. Midnight Cress High School is filled with all kinds of interesting people. You got the jocks, the cheerleaders, the dancers, the girls that weren't good enough to make the dance team, the emo kids, the nerdy kids, the popular kids, well I'm sure you get it. Every day there is a new rumor on who's doing what with who and who just got a brand new Mercedes; Pretty much a bunch of rich kids that only know how to gossip and spend money. I don't really know what category I fall under but I do get along with just about everyone, while putting no effort into it. I don't really know what that says about me but I like to guess.

Looking around the classroom, I realized the lunch bell must have rung because there's only one kid left in my class and he's rummaging to pack up all his belongings, even Mrs. Parker, my literature teacher has left the room. Staring up at the clock, I noticed the bright red 12:05 pm, flashing back at me.

Yup, totally time for lunch

I grabbed my book bag and preceded down the hall. Strolling through the halls, I glanced at all the tables that are currently lined with precisely two seats scooted in, against the gray and royal blue painted walls. At the end of the narrow hall, was a banner which read "Club Rush".

Hmm, must be time for the seniors to touch up their transcripts and appearances for college. I pondered on this thought a few minutes and realized I should probably grab some pamphlets on my way back to class, since I'm currently a senior and an exceptionally average student. So in other words, I need something that's going to separate me from the rest of the student body.

Besides the vague banner, motivational speeches for us students were stuck on the wall. I'd say this school lacked hell of a lot of spirit. I sometimes dabble on the thought of schools being convenient prisons. I pulled out my phone from my jeans and starting scrolling through apple music. I decided to settle on hearing my favorite genre, which happens to be 90% of the music on my phone, and clicked on my rock playlist. First song to come on was "Drown" from Bring Me the Horizon, and a small smile started to spread across my face.

"Hey Amara"

I peeked over my shoulder to see it was Rowan.

"Hey Rowan, how's it going?"

"As good as it can be ya know? Any new books?"

"Actually I've been reading "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman, totally different vibe than the books I normally read"

"Let me borrow it one day, maybe?"

"Yeah sure" I squeaked as Rowan grinned and walked past me.

I watched Rowan turn the corner and go through the crystal clear double doors leading to the cafeteria. He was wearing jeans and a black Sabbath band shirt. Rowan is cute. He's your typical skater boy with raven black hair and these forest green eyes, you'd die for. He is also 6 feet of pure mysteriousness. The most I know is that he moved here when we were about 8 years old and he's in a band with his best friend Kai, called "Death Wish". Since rock music is my shit, whether it be classic, alternative or punk rock, you can tell how much yummier rowan comes off though my eyes.

Going back to what I was doing, I put on headphones and started to look for an empty table.

Full, Full, Full, Nope, ugh.

All the seats in the hall were full. I was avoiding going outside the cafeteria area due to the extreme weather. A sudden heatwave has hit and the heat has been unbearable. Miami, Florida is known for its hot weather, beaches and night life. Its funny how we are so adapted to the heat that the minute the temperature drops to the lucky 60's, you see civilians in beanies, scarfs, gloves, and these extremely thick and unnecessary, jackets. New Yorkers would laugh in our face if we ever complained about our cold weather. Just looking through the cafeteria, you see rays of heat coming off from the crystal clear windows.

As I strolled by the currently accompanied tables, I reached the cafeterias heavy looking blue doors and as I'm pushing down on the metal bar, I feel a slight burning crawl over my hand.

"OW!" I grumbled as I aggressively shook my hand as the door shut. That metal bar was extremely hot. Must be absorbing some type of heat from outside. I rapidly threw my body against the metal bar and opened the door. Instantly a large grassy area filled with huge trees, bordering the fence of the school, came into my view. On the left side of the grass, which happens to be one of my favorite spots, is the beautiful flower garden. The garden is filed with sunflowers, roses, those colorful flowers you see in the grocery store that we never know the names of, and daises. Truth be told, I volunteered to plant sunflowers in the garden during summer vacation, they happen to be my favorites. In the middle of the garden sat a small pond surrounded by white marble rock. The contrast from the colorful flowers to the heavenly white rocks was beautiful. Sometimes I come here to sit down under the shade of the oak tree and read my books. I get this peaceful vibe when I'm in this area, it makes me feel like Buddha or something. On the right of the grassy area, there was only 8 cafeteria tables, a couple of trash cans, and a little white marble bench. Currently the 4 tables immersed in shade, were filled with kids, eating and talking, while the rest of tables were left to rot in the heat.

I guess I wasn't the only one who didn't want to die of a heat stroke.

Looking down, I crossed my legs and sat down. I knew I wasn't going to be up for waiting in the cafeteria line, so today I brought a snack. Grabbing my side bag, I dug through the front pocket to find my honey oats granola bar.

YUUUUUM

Tearing open the wrapper of the bar, I ponder on how much has changed in my life since my freshman year. I used to have friends. I wouldn't be eating alone, I wouldn't be voluntarily planting sunflowers during summer when I could've been at the beach, I barely even had a second to myself before. Yet the irony of this current revelation is what throws me off. I felt more alone amongst those people than I do right now, with nobody but me to save me.