The World I Know |
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Chapter 1 |
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| I woke to chaos – or its aftermath, anyway. In the midst of the wreckage, I lifted my aching body out of the debris I was encased in. My eyes fluttered open in aching protest, the sudden light that filtered through them making me stumble as I forced myself into a standing position. Then I heard it. Silence. The entire city had been destroyed: that much I could tell. It was as though a bulldozer had swept through the buildings, carelessly disembodying each of them into piles of splinters. All that was left of towering skyscrapers was leaning frames and chips of windows. Yet, after all this, there was no sign of life. Head pounding and breathing shallow, I staggered forwards, only to trip on my own feet. Catching onto what was left of a wall, I stopped to regain my equilibrium. Each movement was like a shrieking chorus echoing amongst the outcome of destruction. I tried to find a memory, a thought, that could redirect me to the source of my situation. Nothing. Not a flicker of memory, not a whisper of thought. I blinked furiously. Where was I? Clearly there had been some sort of struggle here – one that tore apart everything. An artificial sun flickered and died out as I scoped the area for anything that would trigger recognition. I was clouded in darkness once more. My heartbeat would not slow, and I instantly felt the urge to escape. I had to get away from here, now. I scrambled over the fallen structure helplessly, tripping in my sudden haste. This unfamiliar environment trapped me, and I began running hysterically as soon as I hit flat ground. The sudden, hot feeling of pursuit caused prickles to rise up my back. Weaving through wreckage and discarded objects, I didn’t stop until I hit a dead end. The wall of one of the only remaining erect buildings loomed over me, a golden plaque with the inscription ‘Reichler Clinic’ boring into my eyes. It then dawned upon me; I had died. It explained the loss of memory, the sudden existence in a place that clearly was not where I belonged. I backed away from the sign, now a menacing scramble of incomprehensible lettering in a language I did not understand. Sound stopped me. A low whimpering came from ahead, the only tell of life amidst the city. Hesitant and alarmed beyond reason, I edged forwards toward the source of the sobs. ‘Hello?’ My own voice was alien to me, but came out clearer than I had expected. The word echoed ahead, and I could make out a collapsed doorway beside the sign. There was no reply. Curiosity propelled me forwards, to the doorway and through. Cautiously moving, I entered a small, dim room lit by the sparks of cut electrical wires. The cries continued, and I treaded carefully on the broken tiles lining the floor. ‘Hello?’ I called again, this time lower and more hesitantly. In the shadow ahead, I could just make out a figure crouched on the floor towards the back of the room. Whether it was human, I could not tell. At my call, the figure flinched and was quiet. Suddenly, a foundation in the roof gave way and fell to the ground, missing the figure by a fraction. I flinched in unison with it, and watched as the creature scrambled further into the room. I followed, calling after it in vain, as it proceeded into a further part of the building through a large archway. Entering into the Reichler Clinic was more majestic than I had expected. The room suddenly opened into a multi-story entrance hall, lined with spiralling staircases that elevated into the unknown. But what startled me most was the completely intact statue in the centre. The glass figure of a woman standing amongst animals of all kinds dominated the room with a powerful glare. I only paused for a moment to admire its alluring figure, and then ran after the creature. It had stopped at the foot of one of the giant staircases, clutching itself with frightening insanity. I realised it was not a creature, but a girl, curled up against the steps, eyes glistening in hysterical terror. Her delicate figure resembled an elf’s, and she was clad in a black hoodie and torn jeans. I crept towards her, noticing that she carried the only source of light in her hands. It glowed like an amber fire, cupped against her like a candle. As soon as I approached, it went out. ‘Are you alright?’ It was the only thing I could think of saying, her reaction determining that it was right. The girl’s expression changed from dread to confusion in a moment. ‘Who are you?’ Her voice was trembling and weary. I paused. ‘I’m…’ I struggled for the memory. Who was I? ‘Cass. Caslynn Hale.’ The name came out of nowhere, but was familiar. The girl stared at me flatly. ‘Do you need some help?’ I offered my hand for her to take. After a moment’s deliberation, she took it. I almost jerked my hand away. For the girl’s hand was hot and burnt against my skin with a fierce pain. A gasp escaped my lips, but she was the one who broke our contact. I noticed she had nothing in her hands. ‘I’m Kin.’ Suddenly, she looked ashamed of herself. Lowering her eyes to her feet, I saw that she hadn’t dropped a candle or anything of the sort. She had lit the room. ‘What…?’ I looked from her to my hand, now crimson with the repercussion of a burn. ‘I’m – sorry – it’s just…’ Kin scrambled for an apology, not being able to meet my eyes. ‘Did you – do that?’ I asked, rubbing my sore hand unconsciously. At first she tried to deny it, that it was a candle she dropped, and when I didn’t believe her that it was a skin condition. I held her hand up, which was now cold as ice. The sudden difference was astounding. I asked her what she had done. ‘It’s not my fault. I don’t know what it is.’ Kin confessed, dropping her shoulders in remorse. Holding out her hand away from us, a fire suddenly sprung up amidst her fingers. My shock must have been evident, as the fire sparked out just as quickly as it had appeared. Kin’s eyes suddenly widened. ‘You won’t tell anyone?’ I shook my head, brow furrowed in consternation. Then I considered - who would there be to tell? As far as I knew, we were alone amongst the ruin that used to be a city. How wrong I had been. |
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