lost love

chapter 1 Dark night

  It is a warm spring evening, dark clouds looming in the sky, threatening to rain. I walk up to my house after a long day of school. A big two story house at the edge of town, with woods around the back of the property. As I walk a since forgotten memory begins to surface. I shake my head. There are certain things I don’t want to remember. Certain memories I wish I did not have. Memories I try hard to bury in the recesses of my mind. I turn away from the house and walk to the edge of the woods. I reach up  to touch my locket, still fighting the memory that wants to rise.  Tears slide down my cheeks,

“Maybe I can go in for a little while and get back before it rains…” I mumble to myself, looking up at the sky. “Hey Ayisha.” startled by the voice I turn around, black hair flying around my face. I see my friend, a tall young man, dark curly hair, wide hazel eyes looking at me. “Warrin…” I trail off looking at the ground. He reaches over and touches my hand. All was quiet and for a moment my imagination took over. I thought I could hear the woods breathing, and the pitter patter of the rain like the rhythm of a heartbeat. I smile at the thought and look back at the woods. Warrin puts a hand on my cheek and I look up at him. “I know that look.” he said with a smile.  “ But Ayisha, it’s raining. Let’s go inside for now.” I nod hesitantly, taking his hand. He leads me to the house and I look back longingly at the woods.

Warrin opens the door and we walk in. I linger in the doorway for a moment longer to catch a scent of the rain, then shut the door slowly behind me. I grab some towels from the closet and look out the window one more time before walking into the living room. Warrin’s making faces in the mirror. I walk behind him and try to keep a straight face. “What are you doing?” I mutter trying to sound serious. He turns a mischievous smile creeping across his face. “Warrin don’t you dare!” he shakes his head like a dog, splattering water on me. “Hey!” I cover my face with the towel. He grabs me by my waist, spinning me around the room. I start laughing as my face turns red. “I give! I give!” Warrin pulls me closer resting his chin on my head.

“You know what I was starting to really miss that smile.” I bury my face in the fabric of his shirt, and suppress the urge to cry.  “Ayisha I...” he starts then goes silent. I look up meeting his eyes. He’s worried. I take a breath and slowly pull away. “I’m fine I promise.” I tremble slightly as I grab paper and a pencil. “Ayisha?” he says quietly, concern lacing his voice. “I’m okay.” I start to sketch an image I have in my head. He whispers something but I cannot hear him, I’m in my own world now.  He sits next to me, as I relay the story from my mind to the paper.

Its nine o’clock by the time it’s finished and it has begun to pour outside. Thunder and lightning roll in. I look over  and see Warrin laying curled up asleep next to me. “Of course you are asleep.” I laugh. Reaching over, I take off his shoes, put a pillow under his head, and cover him with a blanket. I kiss his forehead and stand up “You could sleep through an earthquake.” I say softly. I walk to my room, thoughts racing in my mind. I lay down on my bed and fall into a light sleep, forgetting all about the picture I left on the table.

   “Ayisha!” I gasp and open eyes. Someone’s calling my name? “Hello?” I roll off the bed, run down the hall. The door to the living room was open. A tall man with dark hair and grey eyes, came into my view. He was holding a pistol. A woman with brown hair and light blue eyes turns and looks at me. “Ayisha go in the other room.” she cries. I go wide eyed, thoughts racing through my mind. “What? I- I know your face…. Mom? Is that you?” The man turns his head giving me a look. “Move it!” he growls “Do as you mother told you, no one said you could come in here.” I try to move, but I couldn’t. My body felt as if it was frozen in place. He steps forward smacking me in the head, with the butt of the gun. I fall back into the wall, blood runs down the side of my head. He turns back to my mom gun pointed at her. “Mom!” I cry looking at the scene through blurred vision. I grab his arm trying to twist the gun away from him. He elbows me in the gut and I fall onto the ground. “Don’t you dare lay another hand on her!” my mom shouts, stepping in front of me. He growls pointing the gun again. There was a loud bang and a flash of light.