Cool breeze swayed the trees as she stood hard and tall on the giant rock. The darkness spread seemed to engulf each and every thing that came in its way. No sound to be heard as far as ears could reach . It was as if nature went mute . But then, all of a sudden , a whisper infiltrated into her ears , " Syle ".
She turned around and found her father hanging in the air, dead . The picture was terrible. Uncountable gunshots penetrated his body . His clothes were soaked in blood , blood dripping all the way down to his feet, only there were no feet . As horrified as one could be, she stumbled to getaway the view but instead fall down the rock .She could not scream, no, she couldn't because when nature agrees even science loses its identity . She closed her eyes as she went deep and deep down into the endless depth of the earth.
When she opened , she was there, safe and sound, in the hands of someone who felt like home . Those eyes were shining brighter than diamonds radiating a warm, charismatic energy that lightens humanity and calls out hope even for those at death bed.
But the shine rose in intensity. It started feeling unbearable . The warmth no more felt like it . It was scorching more than the summer's heat. The person who felt like home marched out a weapon . She tried to loosen herself out of his clutch but he held her tighter . He won't let her go. She bit him , hit him, threw her frail hands and legs in the air but lost it.
And
shrrrrk...
"Excuse me ! hello" .
ting ,ting ,ting ,ting.
" OH...I ...I am sorry . What did you say ? " Syle woke , almost baffled , at the loud noise of the bell placed right at the centre of the counter.
" The bill" . The customer pointed to the vast diversity of products in the trolley and at the same time seemed totally vexed .
"yeah, sure. Cash or Card". She was too annoyed by the disruption of her "once in a week peaceful sleep" to notice him or rather anyone making faces.
"In cash".
And he left while trying to make sure that she feels guilty of the crime she attempted by wasting his five seconds worth of valuable time.
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SYLE SPEAKS.....
Hello, I am Syle and I am 23 years old . Apart from having no family and friends, my life excels in bad lucks, talking of which , I stepped on bird's poop this morning. Well, I do have a family but they abandoned me and left a twelve year old alone in a three storied bungalow. Living alone in such a big house never appealed me after the incident so on getting into college, I moved out and decided to live in the dorms till graduation. The money my parents left behind were all used up after I got myself admitted in the university, so I worked part time in a supermarket to survive.
The fact that my parents abandoned me didn't traumatize me much because even though we lived together I would rather call them guests. Being absent for almost all year round and showing up once in a blue moon to check if I am still alive or MY WELL BEING as they called it , isn't how parents work. So, I never shared the bond a child genuinely shares with parents and neither did they. I got this instinct long ago that one day they'd leave for good. I already saw that coming. And it did happen. Two springs passed but there were no signs of them. It hadn't sensed amusing but life didn't leave an alternative. Thereupon, I prepared myself physically and mentally to set out in the real world. As they say, life never gets easier. But time brings out the stronger of you. As time passed, I learnt to endure hardships and adjusted myself in the given situations with the least problems.
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Syle checked her watch. It showed ten.
After closing the store, she decided to take a walk to the dorms.
The serene night was accompanied by sudden gusts of wind. The night aroma pervaded the air, weaving into a soft net, wrapping all the secrets of the nature inside. The dull crescent moon was shining, reflecting all sorts of raw energies present up there in the universe. And up there lay an army of stars glorifying their victory over a vast stretch of infinity on which they rest. The stillness of the atmosphere made the mundane things seem peculiar.
However, IT IS CALM BEFORE THE STORM .
On reaching the entrance of her dorm, Syle noticed a tall man in a black leather overcoat conversing with the dorm supervisor. The leather shoes he wore gave out a lustrous appearance, brewing a perfect pair with the coat. "Those must have cost real good." She thought and turned to climb the stairs. But before she could make it to the top , someone called out her name. It was the dorm supervisor.
"This gentleman claims to be your acquaintance."
"I am sorry ?"
"He says that you guys are acquainted." He turned to the tall man." Well, whatever urgency you have, make it quick. The dorms will be closing soon." And he left them alone.
In her entire life , it has been rare to have anyone look out for her . Astounded yet thrilled and not used to starting a conversation , she merely looked at her visitor. But, his back against the lights didn't allow her to figure out the face.
The awkwardness lasted two seconds and then the gentleman spoke up.
"Probably , you might not have any idea of me but we share a relation."
"Would you mind facing the lights? I…..I can barely see you". Syle interrupted.
With a slight hesitation he did as said.
Ah! Those delicate features that define perfection . The eyes had the same startling clarity as the mountain stream and the lineaments of his face were in perfect proportion to each other. The aquiline nose he sported complemented his mountain peak cheekbones. Dashing in an understated way, his concrete jaw and Spartan shoulders spoke of strength. His hair as black as pure velvety nights sat neatly on his dreamy head.
"I am Ryan" . The handsome creature extended his hand. Nevertheless Syle was lost in thoughts of what could have led such a divine creation to approach her poor self.
"We could sit on it later". Her brain kicked .
" Oh. I am Syle". She greeted with a firm handshake.
Ryan smiled with a faint outline of wrinkles at the corner of his eyes . But they disappeared in a blink as soon as he realized the purpose of his visit.
" I know". He said after a pause, "What I am going to say might sound improbable to you but I am afraid I cannot delay any longer."
"Uh...What do you mean"? Her grey eyes had a grave shade.
He made a quick glance around as in checking if there's someone eavesdropping. After authenticating the fact that they were unaccompanied, he disclosed something that was about to bring a change.
"The whereabouts of your parents, I'm aware of it ".