IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE PREVIOUS POST, please do not continue. Check out the previous post (by clicking on "older posts" at the end of this chapter) first before reading this :) Please and thank you.
Moonlit Scars
Chapter 1 – The Adolphus
She falls to the ground, right after what seemed like an indescribable force knocking her right off her feet. Dirt. Everything was a haze, she barely saw what was about her. It’s so dark, where am I? She couldn’t make sense of where she was heading or where she even was. She stands up and tries to get her bearings straight. Then out of nowhere, there was a blinding beacon of light above her – it was the moon... full and shining brightly. For a moment, she saw where she was... in a graveyard; barren trees, withered bouquets and aged tombstones. At the corner of her eye, she saw a wisp of smoke forming, she jerked her attention to it - afraid of what the smokey haze might reveal. What is that? She squinted her eyes and saw square shapes with letters on them.
Almost as sudden as it came, the light and everything else was gone. In its' place an almost deafening silence fell, only a faint whisper touched her ear, which sent shivers down her spine. She tried calling out for help or to anyone, but no sound came out of her mouth, only the deadliest of silence greeted her with every step she takes.
Almost as sudden as it came, the light and everything else was gone. In its' place an almost deafening silence fell, only a faint whisper touched her ear, which sent shivers down her spine. She tried calling out for help or to anyone, but no sound came out of her mouth, only the deadliest of silence greeted her with every step she takes.
In the dark intensity the strike of a clock could be heard; it was like a mocking reminder of time fleeting away. All of a sudden, the world started to spin, she was spinning and was getting sucked into a whirlpool of darkness.
She jerks awake – inhaling a sharp breath of air.
She felt the firm softness of a pillow beneath her head and gave out a sigh of relief. The rays of morning were peering through the small gap between her curtains – it was just a strange dream, one she has been having frequently nowadays. As if right on cue, there was a short, loud rap on her door.
“A! Wake up!” came the sound of her brother’s voice. “what’s taking you so long?”
“I’m up! I’ll be down soon!”
“Yea, you better be!”
Annoying how he likes to have the last say in everything. She thought and got out of the covers.
As she got out of the shower, a softer knock on her bedroom door greeted her. She smiled knowingly - it must be Clarice. Sure enough, the moment she swung the door open, a small girl of about 3 years old gave her legs a big tight hug. “Morning Azureeeee”, the little girl said with a big grin of missing teeth.
Azure picked her up and said, “Morning Clarice, have you had your brekkie yet?”
Clarice shakes her head, furrowing her brows, giving off a small pink pout as she did.
“No? Did you want to have it with me?” she said perturbed.
“Exactly!”
“I’m sorry.” she said laughingly, “I’ll be down in a bit, you go on first ok?”
“Ok, but hurry! Mommy’s eating cow!”
“Cow…?” she asked herself as Clarice left to go down the stairs, not entirely sure if she wanted to know what that was about and shook her head slightly.
Azure picked up the hairbrush as she looked at her reflection on the mirror. What she saw was a girl of a petite frame but of average height, she had olive skin with black hair, her stylish almost-pixie hair cut, framed her pretty face.
For a moment, she was reminded of the images she saw in her dreams. It was all so surreal but none of it made any sense to her. A moon, a graveyard and a clock? And what’s with those words… were they scrabble tiles? she stopped brushing her hair, “Seriously? I dreamt of scrabble tiles? that is sooo lame!”
+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+
As she made her way down the stairs she heard her mother, Sonja Adolphus and her brother, Alfred – or Alfie as she liked to call him – because it annoyed the hell out of him. They were both talking about Alfred going to Deacon’s party next week.
Deacon was the cliché, obnoxious and over-bearing best friend that got her brother into all sorts of trouble, but no one really has the heart to tell him that they should not be friends. Why? Because they have a long history of friendship; that dates back all the way to the day when they were nothing but sperms and ovaries. An exaggeration of course – but that just shows how long they knew each other.
“Morning guys…” Azure greeted and plopped herself down next to Clarice.
“Good morning.” Sonja replied, looking up from her batch of pancakes, “are you going to the party too?”
“Whose? Deacon’s? Nev--,” she began, but stopped mid sentence to scrutinize her brother who was flailing his arms like a mad man from behind the kitchen counter adjacent to her, mouthing out something she could not comprehend. “What are you doing?”
“He’s trying to get you to say yes, so I’ll let him go”. Sonja said matter-of-factly, pouring maple syrup on top of her pancakes, as she did, Alfred ran to Azure’s side.
“Owh… Okay, but I’m not going.” She answered, looking from her mom to Alfred.
“Can I come?” Clarice voiced out squeakily, her mouth covered with chocolate muffin. Sonja laughed and wiped the crumbs off her face. “You can bring her with you Fred.”
“Very funny.” He said scowling, “I don’t get why I can’t just go by myself, I’m old enough, and I’m mature to even be A’s older brother!” he said pointing to Azure, still scowling as he sat upon the kitchen stool.
Azure scoffed “Whatever big brother.” She said sarcastically with an eye roll as she stood up, “I have to go now, I just remembered that I’ve to meet Sierra.”
She grabbed a muffin, kissed her little sister and mother and started to make her way out of the kitchen. Then she heard her mother calling her back in for a moment. Oh crap, she remembers.
“Don’t forget tonight, we said we’d talk about what happened yesterday.”
She stopped halfway in her tracks and turned around, only to catch Alfred’s piqued expression. He looked suspiciously at Azure with a smug look on his face. It annoyed her that he could tell she was in trouble and she knew he was just harping on finding out what rut she got herself into.
“Ooooh~ did something happen last night?” Alfred asked. Yup, predictable as he is, she thought.
“Cut it out, it’s none of your business.” She said glaring at him, “mom, can we just please let it go?” she pleaded.
“You can’t expect me to just do that? Something clearly happened between you and…”
“OH MY GOD!” interrupted Alfred, “It’s a guy isn’t it? Damnnn you’re in deep sh-”
“Fred, language!” Sonja hushed and gestured towards Clarice who was still innocently enjoying her breakfast.
“Azure honey, you know I’d like to believe you… but…”
“It’s Vincent” Alfred said again butting in.
“Darn it Alfie! Will you quit it? Yes okay, I was with Vincent last night, would you just drop it already?” she half-shouted, exasperated that everyone was judging.
“No I meant Vincent came by.” Alfred said a little shocked, “but glad to know it was him.” He said smiling, his finger pointing out the kitchen window and gave her a mischievous wink.
Sure enough, there he was, Vincent - making his way down the path of the front lawn. Azure turned back to her mother, trying to reason with her once more, but then she saw the look on her face and found out it was no use to say anything much longer. She knew that expression on Sonja's face; it was the same one she had on, the week before she and their father had a big fight. Her suspicions were quite evident, despite her visible attempt at trying to make a poker face. She’s not buying any of this. It’s hopeless.
+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+
“Sorry for dropping in on you like this. I hope this isn’t weird.” Vincent told Azure as she got out onto the front porch.
“Oh no, gosh… it’s fine…” she said, waving it off with her hand “nothing can make my morning anymore weird than it is.”
“What do you mean? Did something happen? Was it about last night?” he said worriedly, “A, I’m really sorry about that. I actually came by here to explain things.”
Hmm… he looks so adorable. She said smiling a little as he ran his fingers through his hair. She snapped out of her reverie and told him, “It’s no use, I’ll straighten things out myself.”
“Are you sure?” he asked smiling sheepishly.
“To be honest, no.” she said and laughed and he joined in. “but it’s fine.”
“Here, let me give you a ride.” He offered smiling at her as he gestured for her to get on his ride.
“You’re kidding right? That’s a bike.”
“It’s better than you walking?” he laughed looking at her horrified expression. “what’s wrong with a motorbike?”
“I like my transportation to keep the wind off my face, that’s all.” She said cheekily.
Vincent Hannigan would always be a stud in her eyes, despite his average height and average looks, she could not help but feel attracted to him. It’s like he had a magnanimous attraction that appealed greatly to her. The fact that he was muscular and had the cutest smile did not help matters at all. She was a sucker for guys with amazing smiles... and pecks. Despite his boyish looks though, he was not to be taken lightly. Vincent was a bit infamous in a way.
There were rumors about him beating up a guy who was a few years his senior back when he was still a fifteen year old. His life was messed up back then, he smoked, got high and fooled around a lot, he was the local criminal that everyone either hated or feared. Lately though, he stopped all that, it was as if something had changed him overnight. That was when Azure started noticing him, she was big on changes… having experienced a significant change herself too. Maybe that could have been one of the many attractions about him.
“Wonder what 15 year old’s life was not a mess back then?” She said under her breath as he revved up the engine.
“Excuse me? Did you say anything?” he shouted, his voice drowned by the bike’s powerful engine.
“Nothing.” She grinned widely, “I hope this is safe”, cautiously taking the helmet he was offering her.
They made their way to school, she realised that perhaps getting a ride with him might have not been one of her brighter ideas. Azure Adolphus was not exactly the sweet girl next door, but people liked her, so when they saw her pulling up at the school's grounds with none other than Mr. Bad Ass Hannigan, they felt the need to protect her from whatever she might be getting herself into. The attention the two received was undeniable. Azure knew these people were just dying to find out what's happening between her and Vincent. Especially Sierra, one of Azure's closest friend and coincidentally also the most curious one at that.
Sierra was the tall blonde dork of the group, she always had a flair for the dramatics and was seemingly very protective of her friends when she thought they were in any form of trouble. So when half the school had already seen Azure with Vincent, she was sure that Sierra would turn up any time now. She turned to look at Vincent as he got off the bike.
"Never knew innocently giving someone a ride could give me so much negative attention," Vincent said jokingly when they walked to the front entrance, "it's worst than when I-- well worst than whatever I did back then."
She could tell he was still uneasy about the past, so she chose to ignore that comment and just smiled at him. When they were inside, Azure saw a familiar feminine outline with swishy brown hair marching straight at them with a purpose. It was Sierra.
"Phew! okay... uhmm..." Sierra said looking hesitantly into Vincent's eyes and after what seemed like she was meticulously inspecting his eyes, she gave him the warmest smile she could muster and greeted him, "Hi! I don't think I've ever talked to you all this time! but I know who you are hehe..." she held out her hand, "my name is Sierra Aylen, pleased to meet you Vincent."
"Hey, pleasure's all mine." Vincent said and mocked a gentleman bow at Sierra.
"Ha...S-sweet, can I take her from you now?" jittered Sierra, taking Azure by the arm. Not even waiting for a proper answer from Vincent she dragged her out into the girls' bathroom.
"OH MY GOD!" Sierra boomed nervously when they were out of earshot, "what the hell was that A? and eeee~ did you see me talk to him? I did that for you! All for you~" she said and pouted.
"Okay, first of all. He was just giving me a ride to school and second of all stop freaking out please."
"But why?"
"It's not a big deal, Err."
"There's something you're not telling meeee. Spill the beans Ms Adolphus!" she said threateningly and jokingly, "or your boobs are going to get it!"
"Oh geez, okay," Azure said covering her chest on reflex which made Sierra giggle, "he was giving me a ride because he came by my house this morning to talk about the night before."
"He did? and why were you even with him last night?" she prodded and when Azure seemed hesitant to say anything further, she formed her hands into a fist.
Azure laughed, "okay seriously, stop doing that, stop trying to find reasons to touch my boobs!" she held Sierra's fist and put them down, "I was going to tell you anyway..."
"Good! because the suspense is killing me! what mysterious thing did you and Vincent do?"
:D okay, I'm done with part 1 of chapter 1! HEHEHE. I have to annoyingly say "to be continued" for the time being :3 Hopefully part 2 would be available soon :) I'm still writing them down by the way :)
Sierra was the tall blonde dork of the group, she always had a flair for the dramatics and was seemingly very protective of her friends when she thought they were in any form of trouble. So when half the school had already seen Azure with Vincent, she was sure that Sierra would turn up any time now. She turned to look at Vincent as he got off the bike.
"Never knew innocently giving someone a ride could give me so much negative attention," Vincent said jokingly when they walked to the front entrance, "it's worst than when I-- well worst than whatever I did back then."
She could tell he was still uneasy about the past, so she chose to ignore that comment and just smiled at him. When they were inside, Azure saw a familiar feminine outline with swishy brown hair marching straight at them with a purpose. It was Sierra.
"Phew! okay... uhmm..." Sierra said looking hesitantly into Vincent's eyes and after what seemed like she was meticulously inspecting his eyes, she gave him the warmest smile she could muster and greeted him, "Hi! I don't think I've ever talked to you all this time! but I know who you are hehe..." she held out her hand, "my name is Sierra Aylen, pleased to meet you Vincent."
"Hey, pleasure's all mine." Vincent said and mocked a gentleman bow at Sierra.
"Ha...S-sweet, can I take her from you now?" jittered Sierra, taking Azure by the arm. Not even waiting for a proper answer from Vincent she dragged her out into the girls' bathroom.
"OH MY GOD!" Sierra boomed nervously when they were out of earshot, "what the hell was that A? and eeee~ did you see me talk to him? I did that for you! All for you~" she said and pouted.
"Okay, first of all. He was just giving me a ride to school and second of all stop freaking out please."
"But why?"
"It's not a big deal, Err."
"There's something you're not telling meeee. Spill the beans Ms Adolphus!" she said threateningly and jokingly, "or your boobs are going to get it!"
"Oh geez, okay," Azure said covering her chest on reflex which made Sierra giggle, "he was giving me a ride because he came by my house this morning to talk about the night before."
"He did? and why were you even with him last night?" she prodded and when Azure seemed hesitant to say anything further, she formed her hands into a fist.
Azure laughed, "okay seriously, stop doing that, stop trying to find reasons to touch my boobs!" she held Sierra's fist and put them down, "I was going to tell you anyway..."
"Good! because the suspense is killing me! what mysterious thing did you and Vincent do?"
+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+..+o+
:D okay, I'm done with part 1 of chapter 1! HEHEHE. I have to annoyingly say "to be continued" for the time being :3 Hopefully part 2 would be available soon :) I'm still writing them down by the way :)
