An Ash fell on my shoulder, I looked at it, then I looked around, it was everywhere, the Ash.The clouds where the darkest I'd ever seen, cars either smashed to pieces or in flames, buildings in shambles and the roads where all cracked up, allowing the lava in the earth to seep to the top, I kept looking around, looking at the disaster around me and wondering, What happened here?
Just then, I heard something, a whisper, it was coming from the cloud of dust and ash in front of me, I didn't even notice it.
'Come' it whispered
I stood rooted at the spot.
'Come Thana...come...' it whispered again but this time, I moved, involuntarily.
I entered the mist. I started coughing hysterically. It was physically painful to breathe.
'Then don't'
it was the whisper again. Don't? I shouldn't breathe? But I'll die!
'How?'
How? do I need to explain this?
it laughed, a soft but deadly laugh.
'Oh Thana, I Meant, how can u die.....when you're already dead?'
What??? But I'm alive.
'Maybe you are outside, but deep deep deep inside, lies a dead soul, Your soul Thana'
My eyes snapped open as my alarm clock blared. "Ouch" I said holding my head then I grudgingly hit the snooze. Gosh this is so loud, I thought as I got out of bed. I have no choice though, it's either that I don't wake up. I'm such a deep sleeper. I wasn't like that when I was younger, it started when I started getting this reoccurring dream, nightmare, whatever it is. It's always been the same, a burnt up world, a whisper that won't stop calling me Thana and the same ending.
I wish I knew it's meaning, if it has one that is.
The noisy engine of the school bus caught my hearing as it got to about 5 blocks away from my house. Some people seem to think my hearing is too advanced, maybe abnormal even but I think it's normal, it's how it's been since I was a kid. I just hear things better and more farther away than other kids. Absolutely normal.
I quickly took my bath and got ready for school. It's my second day of senior year. First I was so happy that I'd finally be getting highschool over with but now that I'm a senior, I've realized I have nothing in mind for after highschool. I have no dreams like the other kids in my grade. I left that thought behind, picked up my bag and went out just as the bus reached my house. I locked the house and moved to the bus.
"Morning Felix" I said to the driver as I sat right behind him. It was the last seat.
"Morning Darcy, what's Poppin?"
he replied in his southern accent.
"Nothing much Felix, and the name's Darcia" i said with a light tone as I settled.
"Yes ma'am" He said playfully and started the bus. Felix isn't grumpy like other bus drivers. He's more cheerful and always whistling a new song everytime you see him.
I bet he's a wonderful father and husband.
Sometimes, people, curious people, ask how I feel living alone without any mother, father or siblings, I say it's cool and normal since I have never lived with a family so I wouldn't know the difference. They just say 'oh' or make a statement they think is funny then leave akwardly. I really don't mind leaving alone, never gave it thought. I've been living alone for almost 6 years now, I used to be in an orphanage, a very poor one with people poor in both personality and financial matters. I had to run. So one night, I did. When I was 12.
The bus came to a stop in front of the school, it was a public school. I got down and made my way inside. After some minutes the siren wailed for lessons to begin. It's Wednesday, I have maths first, I like it unlike other kids. I really do. It's like a brain workout for me.
I got into the class, teacher's not here yet. I made my way to my seat. Which is in front. Right beside the door. I just like to get out of the class first after the bell wails. I sat down then placed my bad beside my left foot, against the wall. I want to go through our last notes before class starts. I took my notebook but as I was opening it I suddenly froze.
Something was blowing on my neck, hot air. I turned around slowly in my chair but then I relaxed.
"Doron, you spooked me" I said, looking at the dark haired angel before me.
"I'm sorry my princess, I hope you're fine today?" He asked. He had a warm voice, it always made me fall deeper for him. Always.
I turned away from him, refocusing on my notes. "Why ask me that? it's not like you care"
I said In a playfully angry tone.
"Ahhh, I see where this is coming from, Will my queen forgive me for missing the first day of school?" He said crouched on my table.
"It's not just the first day of school, you know we're always supposed to walk through those doors together on the first day, but you didn't arrive! I'm not forgiving you for that." I said still not looking at him. I was hurt when I realized he wasn't going to come yesterday, but I later on decided he probably had a very good reason. He'd never skip it if he didn't. We've been doing that since the first day we applied here. We escaped the orphanage together. We've been together ever since.
" Ouch, my princess won't forgive me? Well then I guess I'll just keep this awesome chocolate and wine that I got from France to myself" he said turning around slowly away from me.
Chocolate and wine from France?
"Wait!!" he stopped and turned around with a knowing smirk.
"Yes princess?"
"Maybe I can consider forgiving you but first-"
I tried to snatch the box he was holding from his hand but he was fast.
"Nah uh princess, let me hear you say you forgive me first" He said, holding the box at his back.
"Argh, fineee, I forgive you, now gimme!" I made a move at the box again but of course, I failed.
"What nowwww???"
I asked frustrated.
"Awww look at that cute little pout, why don't you give me a kiss first? Then you can have your gift" He said leaning in to me
"Seriously? I have to pay for my own gift? " I said rolling my eyes.
" Come on now princess.."
I rolled my eyes again and leaned in to give him a long kiss on his lips. Our kisses are always hot and passionate. This one is no different. I pulled back.
"Sweet with a hint of sass and hitting the right places as usual" he commented. Then gave me the box.
I heard footsteps.
"Quick, Ms. Lynch is at the stairs! go to your seat!"
He rolled his eyes.
"That's like, a mile away, how do you hear stuff like that all the time?" he asked rhetorically.
"Doronnnnn, goooo" I groaned
"You know what I love? it's how you can hear anyone within a mile radius of you, anyone but me." he said arrogantly.
"Whatever Doron, you've gotta go now" I insisted.
"Yes princess" he said then stole a kiss them run to his seat laughing.
Boy do I love him. Oh yeah and you probably don't know but he's my boyfriend.
Class was over before it started and soon, school was over too. I said my goodbyes to Doron and we went out separate ways. We escaped together yes, but after we escaped we separated for about a year, then we found each other again, he'd gotten a family to adopt him and wanted me to join him but I didn't really want that. I was free and wanted to remain that way. I got them to get me a house though.
Felix dropped me last as usual.
"Goodbye Felix"
"Never say goodbye to the people you care about dear missy" he said.
I just smiled as the bus went off.
I opened the door and got into my house. I sometimes feel lonely, but Doron and I are planning to fix that. When I turn 18 in two days, I'll move in with him permanently. His foster parents got him his own house when he turned 18 last year. But he has promised to only move in with me when I'm 18. He has the same birthday as me, just a year before me.
I undressed, took a warm shower, reset my alarm and laid in bed. Waiting for sleep to overcome me. But just as my eyes closed....they opened again, in another world.... looking at the Ash on my shoulder...