Beneath the Bloom: Shadows
1
*********
2026, westcliff
Eliza stands on the hill with the wind pulling at her hair, staring at a horizon that promises nothing and everything.
(The orange sky turning dark in slow. The desolation and calmness of Hill makes the atmosphere more terrific. )
She dives into thoughts......
Few years ago...
One step , freedom was mine.My lungs were full of stone.
I Could not able to breathe .Frozen.
Unable to move .
Now .....
I'm standing. I'm breathing. Everything has changed." Eliza says in her inner voice.
Her eyes are calm.
She smiles,small.Real.
Her shoulders drop.Her breathing is normal.
Steady.
Time stretches.
Then, beside her, she hears - a small movement. A sound of someone's breathe
The other girl steps forward.
The world goes quiet.
A soft and certain, a voice breaks the silence:
"Eliza."
She turns to her, and both of them look at each other.
Their eyes are calm, bright.
A small smile in lips corner..
And then there is silence again.
*****
2
2021, Willow Park
Five years ago.
Grey clouds hang low over Willow Park, swallowing the last traces of daylight. A thin rain whispers through the trees, leaving the paths dark and glistening.
Eliza walks through the rain without an umbrella. Water slips from her hair and soaks through her clothes, but she barely seems to notice. Her steps are slow and distant, as though her body is moving while her mind is somewhere far away.
Then-a bump.
He runs into her by accident.
"Hey, sorry. I didn't notice you," he says, a bright smile breaking across his face.
Eliza doesn't reply.
She simply keeps walking, her eyes fixed ahead, as though nothing around her can reach her.
He watches her for a moment, slightly surprised, then shrugs it off and turns back toward his group.
"Hey, Leo, who's the girl?" Ethan asks.
"I don't know. Ooh, do you want to play basketball with us? Let's go," Leo replies.
Later-
"Eliza, where did you go? Why are you in this state?"
"Nothing. I just got wet."
3
She goes back to her room without making a sound.
The room is small and dim. A single bulb flickers above her, casting a weak light over the peeling walls.
Her wet clothes cling to her skin, but she doesn’t bother changing. She sits on the edge of the bed, staring blankly at the wall where patches of paint have begun to peel away.
Outside, the rain taps softly against the window.
Inside, there is only silence.
She slowly lies down and closes her eyes. For a moment, she tries to hold everything back, but she can’t. Tears slip quietly down her cheeks and disappear into the pillow.
Suddenly, her phone begins to buzz.
4
"Are you back, Leo?"
"Yes, Mom."
"Bro, did you bring what I told you?" Jack asks, leaning forward.
"No. Am I your manager or your servant?" Leo says, holding something behind his back.
Leo grins, his eyes looking completely innocent.
Jack's lips tremble.
One tear.
One sound-
"Mom..."
He starts to cry and runs straight to his mother.
"Leo, are you still a little child? Why are you irritating your brother?" his mom says sharply.
Just then, his father comes down the stairs.
"He takes after you," Noah says with a smirk.
"What do you mean? Am I that irritating to you?" Rosy asks, her jaw tightening.
"Rosy, I'm not saying that... You are the sweetest blessing I have."
Seeing them, Leo leans back.
A little smile touches his face.
Everyone sits down for dinner.
Steam rises from the dishes, carrying the warm smell of fried rice through the room.
"Wow, Mom! Did you make fried rice today?" Leo says, his eyes lighting up.
Then he pulls out the packet of fried chicken and hands it to his brother.
"Hmm. Always remember that you have the most kind-hearted brother," Leo says.
He looks at Jack.
His chest lifts with pride, and a small, proud smile appears on his face.
Jack takes the packet.
He frowns, but his eyes are bright.
"What are you choosing for college admission? It's almost time," his father asks.
"Architecture engineering, Dad," Leo answers calmly.
"Are you sure about it?" Rosy asks.
"Yes."
"Mom, you're such an amazing cook. Love you," Leo says.
"Huh? Today's cooking was made by me," his father says. "Your mom just helped me."
Noah grins, his eyes full of innocence.
A few moments later, laughter fills the room.
Leo looks around the table and smiles to himself.
5
---
Getting up from bed, Eliza goes back to her study table.
Her eyes are heavy.She blinks slow.
She sits.
And doesn't move for a while .
She glances at her phone
( Mary's name on the screen .)
She picks it.
For a second, hearing a familiar voice made her chest feel less heavy.
"Hey, Mary. What happened?" Her voice is rough
"What happened? _You're_ asking me?" Mary replies.she mutters
"It's been so many days since we talked and you always say I'm your best friend. Eliza, I'm really upset with you."
"Okay, okay," Eliza answers.
a little smile in the corner of her lips .
"I'm sorry. I was busy." Eliza replies. Her eyes remain soft.
"Hmm. Since I'm a kind-hearted girl, I forgive you," Mary said. "Are you coming to the studio tomorrow? I miss you, my friend." Mary says . Her voice is bright.
"Okay, I'll stop by there tomorrow," Eliza replies
---
6
The sun rays touch her eyes, slow.
The innocence of the morning air comforts her mind.
Eliza opens her eyes.
Sits on her bed. Rubs her eyes.
Her hair is messy.
She stares at the window.
She stands. Walks to it. She Reaches out.
Sunlight hits her palm.
Then she takes her hand back.
_(Though her gloomy room has no balcony, this window is her comfort zone.)_
She closes her eyes.
Takes a deep breath.The warmth of the sun.
The innocence of the air.
The gentle sound of leaves.
All moving through every nerve of her body.
Then... crink, crink...
Her alarm. 8:00.
"Already," she mutters. She sighs.
Turns away from the sunlight.
"The peace is over," she mutters.
After some time:
She makes her bed. Brushes her teeth.
keys. Phone. Books.
Grabs everything.
One step.
She runs to the door.
"Eat something," her aunt says.
Eliza checks the clock.
Late. Late. Late.
She runs to the door.
"Oh... forgot something," she mumbles.
Comes back. Hugs her aunt.
"Bye," she says.
A little smile on her face.
"Be safe," her aunt says.
This chapter is great .