Chapter 1
The wind rushed through the air as it grazed my flushed cheeks, pale as they stand unprotected in the January winter breeze. I shiver and my teeth chatter as I continue my walk down the dirt path. The stars above me stand out, surrounding the bright moon. The grassland surrounds the rocky path, miles and miles of green before it fades and disappears into the dead trees that stand high, branches hanging above the ground.
The walk is about 5 more minutes till I reach home, it’s difficult to continue the long walk as my legs start to ache and pain shoots through me when I trip over a branch, landing on my stomach. I ty to raise my hand to break my fall but a twig stabs my palm and I yelp when I feel the stinging contact. The pain was manageable but as soon as I lift my hand to examine the injury, everything starts spinning and I feel sick. The color of red making its way into my vision as I realize what the dark liquid was, dripping down my palm onto my dirt covered wrist.
The shock distracts me for a second from the pain but when it began to dawn on me that all the cars to my house were missing, my curiosity suddenly raised to the next level. I only lived with my parents and brother, who which, owned a car. My brother was only 18 and I don’t see why he is allowed to own a car. I’m 16 and have a drivers license AND have a well-paying job. It’s not fair that my parents trust him with more responsibility.
I snap out of my wandering mind and brush off my thoughts before standing to my feet, feeling a rush of dizziness take over. Once steadied, I continue walking towards my house, holding my hand as it continues to drip the blood, leaving a trail behind me. I step up the dark-wood steps that are worn down and creak with every slight step or pressure that’s applied to it. My thoughts are instantly jumping to conclusions when I see the glass window in the front of the house, next to the door is cracked. Not exactly broken or shattered, but still, it gets my heart thundering faster and faster with every second.
I move my arm to reach for the gold metal door knob but as I turn it to the left, it stops mid-turn. Must be locked. I forget about the door and make my way across the dead grass on my front yard and walk towards the sand-brown, wooden gate that leads to my backyard. It’s awfully quiet when I first step foot onto the stone path. My impatient ness growing at a terrifying rate as the only sound filling the air is the water flow in my mini swimming pool. The shed door is left slightly open like someone was here and that kind of creeps me out. I walk towards the shed door and stop where the path ends which is in front of the rusty, metal door. I’m afraid to peek inside but at this point, with the house empty and the cars missing, it’s my only option.
I place my hand on the sliding door and slowly creep around the corner of it, one eye examining the inside, that all stops when...
“HEY!” A shout from behind me startled me and I jump when I feel a rough hand grab my shoulder and violently turn me around. When are eyes meet, they lock. It’s him. My face is facing his and the only thing that’s in our gaze is complete terror and curiosity. All these years. All these mysteries, all that pain, just standing between us as we talk without words and only looks. I can’t believe it.
