The Light in the Darkness

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: These are works of purely speculative fiction. It is not intended to infringe on any rights by and of the companies and/or individuals involved in the production of any series mentioned here.

The Light in the Darkness

Chapter 1

'The colors outside today are just exquisite.' Ayumi mused to herself as she allowed her eyes to gaze out of her bedroom window. The final stages of fall were beginning to settle in and the street below showed evidence with an assortment of red, yellow and brown leaves scattered about. Ayumi could hear the wind howling and see leaves dancing about in the fall air. The whole experience brought her a sense of peace that she didn't realize that she had been missing since last autumn.

She released a soft sigh before walking away from the window pane and moving toward her white vanity dresser that settles in the corner of her room. She took a seat in front of the attached mirror and grabbed her hair brush out of one of the many drawers.

She sat there for a moment and looked at her reflection. Her black tank top clinging to her thin frame and a pair of black ripped up jeans resting themselves on her thin torso. Her hair a wild and tangled mess, sticking up in all directions. She then proceeded to run her brush gently thorough her black shoulder length hair. Once she finished she fixed the square rimmed glasses on the bridge of her nose.

"Perhaps a walk in the park would do me some good." Ayumi muttered to herself with a small smile on her face. On days like this it was simply impossible for her to remain indoors. Feeling excited bubble within her, Ayumi quickly scoured her messy room to find her brown leather jacket. She finally found it under a mountain of dirty clothes she had yet to attend to. She slid her arms through each sleeve and zipped it up half way. Ayumi then grabbed her purse, iPod and keys before exiting her room.

She tumbled down the stairs in her hast to leave. "I'm going on a walk, I'll be home later." Ayumi announced as she strolled towards the front door. She slipped on her high top convers and then paused for a moment. Silence was her only reply. Not that it surprised her though since her parents rarely acknowledged they even had a younger daughter. Their lack of attention was mainly due to the fact that they have always been more focused on her older sister Mei.

The distant sound of chatter drifted to Ayumi's ears as she heard her parents conversing with Mei in the kitchen. Moving away from the front door, Ayumi walked down the hall before opening the kitchen door just a crack to peek inside.

The three of them, Ayumi's mother, father and sister, were all sitting at the kitchen table talking over a cup of tea. They all looked quite happy and the atmosphere was pleasant. Ayumi watched her mother set a plate filled with cookies on the table before reaching for a cup.

"Do you have to leave for the library now Mei?" Mrs. Ono asked, as she handed her oldest daughter a cup of hot coffee. "Now Hina, I want her to stay as well, but you and I both know that her studies come first." Mr. Ono said, then placed his hand on his wife's shoulder.

"I know that Nao." Hina sighed, "Will you be home for dinner?" She asked as she squeezed her husband's hand that still rested on her shoulder. "Of course, I still live here after all. I would never miss one of your amazing meals mom." Mei said as she pushed her waist length black hair behind her.

"What a sweet thing to say." Hina beamed, "Anyways, how is this semester going?" She asked with enthusiasm. "College is a blast mother!" Mei said as her face brightened up, "Everyone is so kind to me and my honor classes are comparable to my excelled high school classes, I have all straight A's." She spoke proudly. "You are doing a wonderful job Mei, your mother and I are very proud of you." Nao said as he gave Mei a hug.