Stars Falling from Above

✩ 5 ✩

Riley bolted out of the room. She grabbed her bag and ran around the desks. Hearing the teacher call her name behind her but didn't care. She was already crying as it was and was now trying to keep it in. Her face was red and puffed up, but she kept her head low and pushed by everyone. The students watched her, and some kept with their conversations. Others whispered guesses of what happened. She didn't listen. Running past all the lockers and kids trying to move out of her way like she's a villain. Vision became blurry from crying again. wiping tears as she went, clutching her backpack so it wouldn't fall. Pushing the door open and running, it closed behind her. Down the steps, the tapping of her shoes was all she listened to as she ran through the sidewalk. She wanted to get away again. Almost tripping on her feet, catching herself and kept going. Shoes making the tapping noise were all heard but around her cars were loud and so many people were talking but she has blocked that out.

Going past all the objects and people, she turned and went to the forest. She ran through the trees. There isn't really a path, she just knows which way to go to get home. Her arms scrape off tree bark and her hair gets tangled from twigs hanging off trees. Tripping on rocks and sticks but still going. Tears are flowing and falling behind her. Slowing down, getting tired from running. Or maybe its crying. Probably both. Her bag keeps slipping off and she would fix it. Now being deep into the forest, it is dark and full of animal noises and wind going through tree branches.

Thinking she could run more, Riley trips on a root. Her eyes widen and she gasps, falling onto the cold hard dirt. She stays on the ground, it's the safest place to be right now. The crying doesn't stop, she just lays there, not knowing what she is going to do.

Finally, moving her body up, she looks at her hand. small scrapes and dirt were all seen on her hands. it stung but she was too focused on everything else to care. folding her legs now sitting up, her uniform had dirt on it. not the best idea to be running in a forest full of trees with blurry eyesight. The tears kept falling, an everyday thing anyways. Just sit and cry. Basically, like get it done and over with. Her head looks towards her knees, her hair falling in front of her face. No one usually came out in the forest, so she was mostly alone. Right now, she believed she was alone. Although, even if there were a million people crowding her, she would still be alone. Everyone saw her as a stranger. As someone who passes them here and there. It's easy though. Once you are unnoticed by everyone, being noticed mostly will be something you don't want.

It's been 20 minutes. Feels like years. She stayed in the same spot. She will have to move sometime. She doesn't worry about being called for not being in school. Unless her mother gets the call, she doesn't have to worry about that though. Her father doesn't answer calls unless it's someone he's cheating on her mother with. Besides that, it's ignored. They would also get an email, but he doesn't even check that. His daughter could be in danger and he still wouldn't care.

Finally, she stands up. Her legs feel numb. Well not just her legs, everywhere was numb. Moving slowly. No need to rush. she pulls the backpacks straps over her shoulders and starts to walk. Where to. Doesn't matter. She may not know where she's going but knows where she doesn't want to be. Here. Really, she'd say the world but mostly this town. She is a no one here. She is a somebody to no one. Her legs feel like they could just snap in half. Her head isn't thinking right, just a pain, as usual.

At points she would get mad at herself and scratch her arms. Mostly, she tried to avoid cutting and scratching doesn't give the same satisfaction but it's something. Sometimes she would bleed, sometimes she would just pull pieces of her skin off.

She kept walking deeper and deeper into the forest. Bird noises surround her, and some bugs would be felt on her skin. She was tired. Well she always was but right now it was from running. Something catches her off guard. Usually there's no one here but a groan is heard to her left.

She tells herself to ignore it, which is what she tries to do. She debates on whether to leave or not. Still, she keeps walking, not knowing where she is going but it feels like that's the best thing to do.

"Please.."

Riley freezes. It came from behind her. Well it didn't before. She must now be moving away from whatever is making the noises. She wonders if the noise is for her. Although, it can't be, no one talks to her, no one really knows her. Again, she tells herself to ignore it and starts to walk again.

"No.."

What's going on? Are they hurt? In trouble maybe. But their cries are silent. Turning, she can't hold it back, she has to see where that's coming from. If they are hurt, then she needs to help. But the curiosity is killing her. Slowly she walks back, like she's hoping to stumble upon a crime scene.

"Stop.."

No. faster. She needs to see what that is.

"I can't do this.."

It's hard to recognize if the voice is male or female. It just sounds like a hum, but the words are perfectly made out. She starts to run, her legs are still tired from before but that doesn't matter. She has to keep going. Almost feels like she could lose them if she doesn't.

"why.."

Riley stops in her tracks. She passed them. She must be going away from them again. She spins around and looks at nothing but the trees, and like there's a person in front of her, she says, "Hey! Where are you? Nothing you are saying makes any sense.. do you know me? D-do I know you? Who are you!?"

The voice stops. did she somehow lose them? She starts to walk. No, run. She has to get to them; this could be her only chance and who knows when she'll get another. Instead of going forward, she goes more to the left again. "please say something!" How will she know exactly where she is if she doesn't keep talking? Doesn't she want help? Is that what she even needs? Riley goes quicker, the branches and leaves get in her way, but her running is steadier.

Come on. She can't lose them just yet. They could be in danger and need help. Or they could just push Riley away and tell her she is the one hurting her. She hopes it's the first one. Well, the second wouldn't be bad, it would be easier to get Riley away from them since she would be the danger instead of whatever would be endangering her.

She hasn't tripped, running forward like there's an end and they would be right there. "Come on, just som-" She pushes a branch out of her face, and right there, lays a human figure in silence.