Paradise Lost

[Slouyx]

I had a writing spree yesterday, and I want to continue this.
Enjoy!
~

1

Darkness. The only thing that filled the clear space where my mind should have been. It gave a certain feeling of despair, but at the same time comforting. Slowly, the darkness began to lift away from my vision. I think I felt my arm go out, as if I was trying to grab for it, and then lower it back down. My feeling in my body is slowly returning, and my thoughts are beginning to resume from their long pause. The first feeling I’m actually aware of is the stiffness in my arms and legs. I don’t dare to move yet, but I just twitch my fingers, as if trying to feel the space around me. I know I’m laying on something, but I can’t quite tell what it is yet. Hesitating slightly, I open my eyes, and immediately notice I’m in front of a window. Not that I can be seen from it, but I can see the moonlight pouring in. My mind is still hazy, and I can’t quite remember where I am and why I’m here. The fact that I cannot see out of my left eye at the moment isn’t helping. I’m only aware of the fact that I am lying down in some sort of bed, and I probably just woke up. I can’t infer much about where exactly I am yet.

I prop my shoulders against the top of the bed’s frame, and slowly begin to observe the world around me. There’s dust flowing around the room, just barely visible in the moonlight. Silk and pieces of cloth are littered across the floor, and they seem to be arranged in a pattern of colors. From light shades to dark shades. I realize this must be a tailor. There’s a mirror in the right corner of the room, and I look at myself. From what I can remember, I look pretty much the same, except for the dark circles under my eyes. Pale, flat face, dark gray eyes, and flowing black hair. A bit tall for my age, very skinny, long arms, and highly developed shoulders.

I lift my hand up, and stare at it. With a slight feeling of annoyance, I notice all my jewelry has been removed. I move my hand to my left ear, and the earrings are gone too. I’m soon curious to who did what, and why I’m here. Cautiously, I put one leg down on the floor. It feels stiff, making it slightly difficult to lower my other leg down. I’m wearing my same clothes, a thick black vest with a white undershirt, and dark pants. I’m only missing my coat, but it’s a little warm and I figure it doesn’t matter anyway. I rise from the bed, and almost immediately a young girl appears.

“You’re awake!” She squeaks a little. She seems about my age, if not a little older. I have no idea what to say to her, so I just stare at her. She stares back, as if waiting for me to speak, but then realizes I’m obviously staying quiet.

“Err… are you okay? I thought you were dead, being in coma for those few days.”
I’m suddenly much more curious. The girl is twirling her light blond hair, her light green eyes glowing with excitement. Her blue dress is wrinkled, so I figure I must have woken her up.
“What happened?” I realize I haven’t heard my own voice in a while. It sounds odd. It crackles a little, which I think must be because I have just awoken.

She begins to spill out everything. She must have been waiting a long time to talk to me, because her words are rushed. She tells me this: Padres Del Fuego, the island we are on now, was invaded. The island is poor, and has very few residents. We were defeated, and she tells me that they just found me unconscious, lying half in the water. According to her, I could have been dead if she had not found me. She tells me she treated most of my cuts, but the ones on my face have to heal on their own. And now I realize why I cannot see out of the left side of my face.

I cautiously put my hand to my face, and realize the left side is mutilated badly. I instantly run my hand through the deep cuts. For a moment, I’m scared I’m missing an eye, but she quickly tells me that I still have both eyes. I am almost feeling relieved, when I see a look of doubt on her face.
“What?” I ask, feeling worried.
“You’re never going to see out of that eye again. It’s infected, and I’m afraid that I couldn’t treat it… I had barely any supplies, and I couldn’t dare go out to the town. It’s wrecked.” She comes up to me and hugs me.
I don’t even know this girl, but I suddenly feel for her. She risked everything to save me and then attempted to treat me. And she’s not afraid to tell me the truth, either.
I’m feeling shocked, but I realize it’s probably not a big issue. I can still see out of the right side of my face. But there is a big difference. It’s like missing half of your view. If you put your hand over one eye, that would be exactly how I am seeing right now.

I ask her what her name is. She tells me her name is Alex. I tell her mine in return, Kate. “That’s such a pretty name!” Alex exclaimed to me. I don’t usually get compliments like that, but I accept it. She tells me that now that I’m awake, I should probably get something to eat, but eating is the last thing on my mind right now. I don’t feel hungry at all, even though she tells me I haven’t eaten in days most likely. After I told her that I’m not going to eat, and I’m going to check the town outside, she warns me to be careful. That the invaders could come back at any time. They have been invading the island on and off for several weeks. I calm her by telling her if there is invaders, I’ll come straight back. But that’s not true - of course I’m going to fight.
At that thought, I wonder where my broadsword is. I give her a look, and she must know what I’m thinking when she hurries off to her room and retrieves my weapon. It’s as beautiful as ever. A wide, silver blade, about 4ft long and 8 inches across. The handle has a red jewel crafted into it.

“You’re going to need protection… just in case that you aren’t able to return.” I now wonder if I am going to return or not, but I don’t stay on that thought long. I nod and take my blade. It feels heavier than usual, but it must be because of the stiffness in my arms.

I hug Alex, and then leave the tailor. The first thing I see is smoke, and ashes. The usual, due to the volcano on the island, but I see something else. Bodies. Piles of ashes. Small flames burning on what’s left of buildings.

I almost retreat back to the tailor. To shut out the world here. It's warm out here, I guess because of the fires, but I still cough from the ash. But steadily, I continue to tread through the streets. I’m already starting to miss hearing a voice around, but I know if I hear a voice out here, it probably means trouble. For a moment, I wonder why the tailor was never burnt down. Why it’s still standing. I’m suddenly suspicious, but quickly let go of the thought. Alex would never do that to me; would she?
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