Awakening

Darkness

Submerged in a field of darkness brought only by the thickness of umbrellas, that had long overtaken the beautiful spring grass. I stud frozen stubbornly refusing to stay dry, clenching tightly to the umbrella

Beginning to lower her beneath the ground the silence of whispers began to to wonder growing louder and louder stealing away my attention.

with rumours, who was going to take care of a rebellious selfish girl quick to place the blame on my upbringing. It was just the two of us since I could remember never really knowing the man that helped bring me into the world, in this town it was strange to be raised by a single parent and one that worked near enough 24/7.

It took me a while to understand how important her job meant to her and everyone else in this town, never blaming her for hardly having time to spend with me. Being a surgeon is like being a superhero with abilities to help those in need, I was proud of her.

The women behind distractedly giggling noticing their eyes glued to the guy standing outside his car, surrounded by thick smoke from his cigarette rolling my eyes. They probably found him charming surrounded with smoke giving him a rebellious aura, wearing a high end funeral suite that was probably tailored to him.

Eventually everyone began leaving with the last pile of mud being patted down with a shovel, lowering myself to the wet ground burying an object wrapped within a napkin. It was something she cared about dearly it felt right to bury it with her in the end.

Hearing the raindrops dancing from the surface of the umbrella hovering above me tracing my eyes up his long legs, to his warm brown eyes; instantly captivating me feeling somewhat safe. Picking myself up from the ground his height completely inferior to mine towering over me even when wearing my heeled boots.

‘Are we done here?’ No surprise hearing his American accent, knowing all too well he was sent here on that man’s orders to pick me up. His question felt more like an order for us to leave as if he was in charge of me.

Turning his back on me returning to his car in the distance without waiting a second for me to say goodbye properly. Chasing after him forcing my little legs to walk faster his steps were more like strides reaching his car in seconds.

Opening the door the stench of nicotine hit me quickly filling my lungs, inhaling deeply before entering. Watching the countless hair salons, cafes and stores that made up my hometown slowly fading in the distant through the mirror.

The silence made everything awkward within the car almost intimidating, I’m never the one to stay quiet for too long slightly annoying me. Reaching for the radio surprised to hear ‘Under Pressure’ playing not making the situation any better, watching his stern lips transforming into a faint smile turning my head before he noticed me staring at him.

‘You know if you used you’re umbrella you’d be much warmer.’ Realising I was rubbing my hand together, letting out a little sigh stopping myself. It wasn’t exactly warm in the car the air conditioning was on full blown, like we where in a heatwave or something.

Not saying a word continuing watching the raindrops sliding down the window, slowly pulling up close to a row of small houses each one had the same miserable grey stone walls. Jumping from the seat gently pushing open the rusted gate passing the flowers which had finally grown.

Opening the door everything was the same from the dimly lit rooms to the bare coat rack, and the limited amount of shoes that where placed on the shoe rack. Looking over to the kitchen table, trying to remember the last time we had a meal together instead of the countless times ate alone.

Running my hand along the handrail feeling the grooves from countless games I’d play when I was younger, watching the tiny room I called mine coming into view. Although it was small I didn’t really have much to fill it with, I usually spent most of my time outside walking around or just doing anything to kill the time.

The suitcase laying flat open on the bed with barely anything in it with not time to waste grabbing a backpack from underneath the bed stuffed with essentials. Stripping down and out of my clothes changing instantly from the dark depressing funeral dress. Pulling up comfy High-Waist jeans, with one of my many blouses and extremely baggy grey hoodie; jumping out of the heeled boots into my converse.

Nearly ready continuing to go through the house rooting for things I might need, finding myself in Mum’s room. Opening the large wardrobe separating her the coat hangers revealing the safe, remembering the time when she told me not to open it unless of emergencies. With this being the first time having to open it my whole body was filled with excitement, wondering what was going to be inside punching the digits ‘2512’.

Waiting for the safe to recognise the pin watching the reflection of my emerald eyes gleaming, within seconds the buzzing noise went off slowly opening the safe. The size was deceiving able to hold so much within it, the excitement turning into disappointment. Filled with piles of vintage books that where probably first editions by some unknown authors.

Dragging out all the books alongside an old Polaroid slipping out of one of the books the marker on the back was slightly faded able to make out a year, ‘1994’ accompanied by the name ‘Leona Richards’.

Turning the photograph around recognise Mum straight away next to another woman both looking so happy with huge smiles painted on their faces, shoving the photograph into my bag. Reaching further into the safe pulling out a pile of passports five in total all with my face. What the hell was she doing and why wasn’t there any for he?

Shoving the passports into the backpack heading over to the window overlooking the back garden. Over the fence at the back of the garden is another estate only about ten minutes away from the bus stop.

Pulling the hood over my hair before climbing out of the window, scratching my hand against a piece of plastic that stuck out from the drain pipe letting go in reaction falling to the ground. Thankfully no one heard me holding in a little screech I wanted so much to let out, wiping my palm onto my jeans running over to the fence.

The driver kindly waiting after noticing me running exhaustively, looking up to see the next location smiling to myself. Climbing on board looking around the almost empty bus, easily finding a seat next to the window keeping to myself. Watching the greenery of the countryside slowly turning into industrial buildings and manic traffic.

Red luminous lights welcoming us arriving into Chinatown not knowing when exactly the day disappeared into night, getting off with everyone else with no idea where I was going next. Letting my nose guide me passing food vendors taking in the smell of beef being grilled unknowingly licking my lips in hunger, closing my eyes to satisfy myself with just the delicious smell alone.

A woman’s sweet voice echoing harmonising with a trombone caught my attention aimlessly wondering through backstreets, blinded with pure darkness with only a soft yet vivid teal lights guiding me down a flight of stairs. Standing in front of a door with a large sign above welcoming me to ‘Docendo’ slowly opening.