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?
~~~~~~~~

[Slouyx]

This one is a little shorter, but a lot more actionful!
~~~

2

As if someone had punched me in the chest, I gasp and lean over. I am on my knees for a few seconds, and my mind is going hazy again. I put my hand over my face. After a few moments, I seem to come back to my senses. I’m clueless to what just happened. I guess it must be because I’m not fully recovered or something, but I’m no healer.

I get myself back up, and continue to tread through the remains of the town. The smoke and ashes is irritating my eye, making it even harder to see than it already was. I blink, trying to get rid of the dryness.

I’m thinking of Alex, and what she thinks I’m doing. I hope she’s okay. Suddenly I’m worried - what if the island is invaded again? While I’m not with her? My conscience quickly chases away those thoughts.

Slowly, I make my way towards the center of the town. Surely, if there was anyone left here, they would be near the center? But my hopes run low by the time I get there. Low before I hear screaming.

I quicken my pace into a fast walk ( or stumble ) because I cannot run, but I get closer to the sound. And then, I see the source.

A man, probably in his teens from what I can see, is fighting against several other humans. He seems badly mutilated but still keeps fighting. He’s covered in ash and seems to be struggling to see through the ash. He seems human, and I can’t understand why he’s killing others until I see the look in his eyes. They seemed normally emerald green, but they had a glazed look. It scared me.

He swung his sword around, slicing anything in his path without mercy. I noticed the bodies that were strewn around him. Some were already there from the invasion, but many had the horribly fresh gashes from the man’s sword. The air smelled horrible from the already-rotting bodies and smoke. He opened his mouth to speak, and I was shocked by the voice that came out of it. It was deep and unnatural sounding. “What’s your rush now? Everyone will have their day to die!”

I know I was in no condition to fight. My arms still ached. But I reached down to my belt to find my throwing knives still in-tact. They are always carefully hidden in my vest, so Alex must have not found them. I then remember that I had forgotten to retrieve my jewelry from her.

I throw one in the man’s direction, hoping to get his attention. But when I see his face, I realize I should have just thrown the knife straight at him.

It’s badly damaged, and his hair is mangled. His arms and face are covered in blood, but I can’t tell if it’s his own or not. He’s wearing dark black clothing that’s torn around the shoulders. He has tan skin, and sort of a narrow face, but other than that, he looks a little like I do. He had broad shoulders, from what must have been years of sword practice.

He’s glaring at me. And before I can even pull out a second knife, he’s coming at me. He strikes me with full-body force, and I’m bowled over onto my stomach. He’s leaning over me, but I notice he hesitates a little. He has his sword pointed at me. With this moment’s hesitation, I aim a kick at him, but he quickly dodges it. What scares me is that he is now smiling.

“Aren’t you a piece of work?” He sneers. I must be. Half of my face is mutilated, and I have a horribly cloudy eye. His sword begins to fade, and I’m slightly confused by that until a dagger comes into his hand. “You need to smile a little.”

Now I’m mad. He puts his boot over my leg, effectively making me incapable of getting away. I turn my head and look over at one of the houses. Maybe, just maybe if I can get someone….
“Have someone waiting for you? Why don’t you call for them? One last time?”

Furious, I spit directly in his face. He shook his head angrily and then jammed his fist into my windpipe, effectively cutting off my voice. He held his dagger over my face. Then I notice his eyes are becoming clear, and losing their glazed look. He’s hesitating again. But he returns to his “normal” look after that. He shakes his head slightly, and then tries to remove my throwing knives from my belt.

Apparently, he had underestimated how much sharp fingernails can do to one’s face.

[Crestshot]

Wow Slou. Way to make the posessed man angry. Or, rather, make the angry man angrier.

This is beautifully written mate. You have good description and the action is enticing. I'm awaiting more, since you've already left me with two cliffhangers. And I don't even know who this character is! Keep writing mate! I'll be waiting

[Cannonfury]

Very Good story! Can't wait for the rest!

[Nate Swordwalker]

Nice story! Looking forward to future chapters!

[Tiberius Fireskull]

Dang, your a good writer Slouyx! Can't wait for more!

[Slouyx]

Here's chapter 3!

3

The man flung his head back in rage, trying to rub the blood off of his face. He stood up and began to back away from me. His hand was over his face, as if trying to protect it. He kicked my side one more time and then stumbled away. I didn’t care to watch where he was going. I just laid there, a little stunned about what just happened. The moon is still shining, but is now lower in the sky. I know it’s going to be dawn soon. I tried to look for a few stars, but they were all covered by the smoke. I had a feeling I should return to the tailor soon. Alex could be wondering where I am now. My fingers grasp at the cold sand beneath me. Around me, potted plants that were not burnt yet are covered in ashes. I realize everything is unrecognizable. I manage to get on my legs and start to walk back towards the tailor. Now I’m starting to feel tired, and I know my ribs and legs are bruised because of the man.

Now I begin to ponder about the man. Who was he? Where did he come from? Why was he killing the survivors? What was wrong with his eyes…? I knew I wouldn’t be figuring this out now, so I continued to walk home.
Home? Err… I mean, the tailor. Where Alex is.

When I got to the door, Alex immediately embraced me. I realize she must have been waiting for me to return the whole time. I step back a little, and she realizes I must be hurt. Her eyes give me a questioning look.

I don’t tell her anything about the man. Instead, I tell her that I had fell and gotten banged up. She gives me a scolding look that makes me giggle. Which I don’t think I’ve ever done in my life. Then she sends me off to bed. It’s odd, being ordered around by someone who is probably only months older than me. But I’m tired anyway, so I go back to my bed where I woke up in. I know I’m not going to get much sleep, but some sleep is better than none.

I often have horrible nightmares. I mean, really. Getting ripped apart by skeletons. Watching myself get torn apart. Drowning. Getting hanged. The worst things imaginable. But what’s also scary is the fact that I have some sort of precognition skill. Usually, dreams are signs of what’s to come for me. I mean, sometimes I just have plain old dreams and nightmares, but I sometimes get dreams that I can tell are signs. They don’t come true exactly, but more like symbolism. They never come true as I expect them to, but I’ve learned to interpret them better than before.

Tonight, was the usual. I had a nightmare about the man, as expected. In this dream, he actually cut the smile into my face. I know I was screaming in my sleep, but Alex didn’t come. The dream was pretty vivid, but that was because the event was recent. Most of my dreams are pretty vivid, especially ones of past experiences. Like my younger sister’s death. Four years later, I still wake up, screaming for her to run. Run away. Get out of the mines.

I wake up gasping. The sides of my face are tingling, and I could almost swear the cuts were there, but I knew they weren’t. I even put my hands to my face to check. I guess you could say I’m pretty paranoid of my dreams now.

After I eat a small breakfast, (there’s not much in this tailor) Alex is waiting for me at the door. I ask what she’s waiting for, and she tells me that the invaders are planning to come back today. They’ve been coming in patterns, and she thinks that they are coming for this part of the town next. She tells me that she’s going to go explore. I’m suddenly afraid of being left alone again, so I ask her if I can tag along, but she refuses to let me go. She thinks I’m too injured and I need to get rest or I’ll never heal my bruises and scars. And she’s right, some of the scars on my face have re-opened. I try to stop her from leaving, but the look in her eyes tells me that there’s no way to stop her.

When she leaves, I feel utterly bored. I try to find something to do in the tailor, but I fail to do so. I take a look further inside the small tailor house to find clothing designs, but they begin to bore me.

I know she doesn’t want me to leave the tailor, but I have to. I need to get out. I can’t stay in this musty building all day. I leave the tailor, and take my coat with me. And this time, I don’t forget to find my jewelry before leaving.


Outside, things seem to be a little better. Some of the smoke has cleared up, but ashes are still falling from the buildings that remain burning. I know this peace is temporary. Because sooner or later, the invaders will come. And I don’t even have a plan of what to do. Run away? Get myself killed?

My scars on my face are tingling a little. I reach my hand up to touch them, but put it back down. I’m still feeling just a little sore, but I manage. I take my time to look at the burning buildings, and try to find something resourceful. Unfortunately I don’t.

Because when I look across the town, my eyes land on a certain sight. And for a moment, that certain sight stuns me.

It’s Alex. The building she’s entering right now is still burning from the top, and the amount of smoke coming from it makes it hard to breathe even from my distance. And then, I notice something. The building is sagging from the top. The roof seems slanted, and it seems to be able to fall… at any moment.

There’s just enough time for a cry of warning to escape from my mouth. She seems frozen for a moment, and her hazel eyes meet mine, seeming puzzled. Her lips begin to form my name.

And that’s when the building collapses.

[Crestshot]

Wow. Rather without action (Except for the end of course), but that doesn't mean it's not good. You provided good information for the reader, leaving me anxious for more. Keep writing mate! I'll be here to read about Mr. Mysterious and Alex the doomed?.