Storm | Teen Ink

Storm

August 17, 2008
By AquaGem SILVER, Kalamazoo, Michigan
AquaGem SILVER, Kalamazoo, Michigan
5 articles 0 photos 50 comments

Favorite Quote:
Nobody will ever win the Battle of the Sexes. There's just too much fraternizing with the enemy. ~Henry Kissinger

Life it too short to let you matter.


A new town; a new identity. My life has been full of new beginnings, never lasting long enough for any substance to be acquired, though that is not necessarily by choice. None of them are better then the next. Hope stays alive in me though, it’s all I have. I can feel that there is something for me out there, and just need to find it. I am still kept dreaming.

I am young with few belongings or things to tie me down. All of my possessions are either on my body or fit comfortably within my backpack. I never unpack it completely and am ready to move on at a moments notice. I’ve been moving for five years now, ever since puberty struck. My family cast me out. I don’t blame them; it’s safer for us both this way. I miss them though. I am so lonely.

After years of unfortunate mishaps, I’ve learned that little good comes from letting myself become especially angry. I meditate every morning and pride myself with staying composed under… tension thriving circumstances. For me it’s not a matter of regretting harsh words. Life or death stands in the balance.

I walk at the side of the worn dirt road, ducking when carts pass. The town is nearby; I’ll be there by nightfall. It’s small and I hope to stay there for a few weeks at least. A month would be wonderful. I’ve traveled a long way and could use a good rest. It’s more than I dare to expect.

At the local inn I am greeted with curious glances. I doubt this place sees many new faces. I am obviously a well traveled guest. One glance at my sturdily worn backpack, long gray jacket with a deep hood pulled over my head, thick breeches, and rough leather boots leaves no questions.

I sit at a table in the corner of the room. It’s dim, the sun’s light having left, and it makes the inn appear slightly less dingy. I’ve grown accustomed to such places. They have become my home for brief periods of time. I leave my hood on my head, wishing I could just go up to my lodging, but I need to eat and I'd rather not waste more of my road supplies.

I hesitantly order stew and water from the no-nonsense maid. She brings it in a timely manner. It’s not the best, but I’ve certainly had worse. I eat everything quickly, having learned the hard way not to waste food when my next meal is everything but certain.

Afterwards I retire to my room. It is simple with a small cot and table. There is a wobbly chair to the side. It doesn’t seem sturdy enough to carry any substantial amount of weight. The room didn’t cost much. It’s warm and dry, which is all I ask. I have limited funds left from what my family gave me when they also kicked me out. I’ve earned a little from what I sold of my jewelry and food I find on my travels. It won’t last for many more towns.

I slip my jacket, of worn leather lined with wool, off and sling it around my shoulders as I lay down for the night. I leave on my boots and keep my backpack within reaching distance. I close my eyes and prepare myself to doze lightly, keenly waiting for any sign of trouble.


I wake up to the sound of a horse having been run too hard. There are raised voices from just outside of the inn. I sit up and draw a jagged breath as I hear hurried feet come up the stairs. My door is thrown open violently and light courses in, momentarily blinding me.

When I can see again, I realize that it’s him. I thought I had lost him. He’s been on my trail since the last incident, but I thought he’d finally given up. Why does he torture us both so? I didn’t mean to do what I did, I never meant to. Now he puts us both in danger.

“Thought you’d gotten rid of me, did you, demon? Not so lucky this time. Now you’re finally going to answer for what you’ve done,” He says as he comes closer and I back away until my back touches the wall.

“I didn’t mean to hurt anyone,” I say earnestly, frightened as he corners me. “I don’t want to hurt you. Please don’t make me hurt you!”

He growls and says gruffly, “Don’t lie, you little witch. You planned it all along. She tried to help you. She tried to be your friend and look what you did to her. I’m tired of listening to your serpent tongue.”

He comes closer and I try to run past him, through the shadows and out of the present. His foot connects savagely with my back and I cry out as I hear something crack. Whimpering, I fall to the floor and crawl to the side, backing away from him. I hear others start to stir from the racket. I am afraid; more so of what I might do than what he could do to me.

“You took her from me,” He whispers angrily.

“I didn’t mean to,” I protest, unable to stop myself. “I was scared. I am someone else’s daughter too! Do you want to take me from them like I took her from you?” I plead as my eyes drag around the room, looking for an escape.

“I’ll send you back to your father, the devil!” He shouts, losing his hold on sanity as he lunges at me blindly.

Without thinking I point at him, and before he reaches me a line of electricity flows from me to him. His heart stops instantly with contact. I smell burnt flesh. Others are starting to come now, and without time to grieve, I rush past him, down the stairs, and down the road.

After hours of running on pure adrenaline, I stop deep in the woods. I pull my backpack under my coat as it starts to rain, drops quickly falling to match the tears streaming down my cheeks. Wind whips around me as nature lets it me known how upset I am. Shaking, I watch as lightning splits the sky in two, only reminding me of what I just did.

Its hours before I calm down and the sky clears. I fall into a restless, fitful slumber. It’s night again when I open my swollen blue eyes. I get up, stiff from sleeping on the hard ground but not at all unused to it. Signing I pick up my bag, knowing that I must keep going.

By now there will be search parties. Maybe instead of him following me I’ll be stalked by those that found him. I feel so guilty thinking of how I left him. There was little dignity in the entire situation. Him angry as I plead for both of our lives. It wasn’t his fault that I took away his only reason for living, and that afterwards the satisfaction of seeing me dead replaced it. I shudder and continue placing one foot in front of the other.

I hate to think of what I’ll do next, and who will be the price of my mistakes and loss of control. If only I could find a place to fit in, with others like me. Those who could teach me about what I can do so things like this won’t ever happen again. Where I could be myself, and the things I can do helpful, even appreciated.

I’ve been dreaming about a place like this for so long, with these nameless people. I’ll continue to hope and look, but things can’t go on like this for much longer. I’m so worn out, my body as well as my soul. This salvation has to stop being the reason I dream and become the reason why I wake up. Reality.



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This article has 171 comments.


schlage GOLD said...
on Jul. 16 2010 at 11:00 pm
schlage GOLD, Erie, Pennsylvania
10 articles 0 photos 37 comments
Great story. You should consider continuing that story.

Birder SILVER said...
on Jul. 16 2010 at 3:08 pm
Birder SILVER, Waterboro, Maine
6 articles 22 photos 104 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, unless they do unto you first, then open a can of unto on to them."

"Obey the ninja."

"What's that? And why does it say snickle tickle?"

I love this story, it's so good! I need more of your work! This is an awesome piece. Nice Work!!!!!!!!!!!

on Jun. 24 2010 at 7:09 am
K9_Typical_Islander SILVER, Koror, Other
7 articles 0 photos 47 comments

Favorite Quote:
Hours of boredom followed by moments of excitement (and adrenaline)- that's fishing

This fiction piece and its title is a reminescence of the book Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo that I have...It is a great book and I think this piece aptly fits one of its protagonists- Storm...Great use of imagery and diction!

on Jun. 2 2010 at 1:16 pm
This story seems sorta mysterious... i like it :)

on Apr. 19 2010 at 8:04 pm
cool!! it was well written!!

Adari SILVER said...
on Apr. 19 2010 at 6:49 pm
Adari SILVER, Bellingham, Washington
8 articles 3 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes,to make it possible.

I really liked this story. the descriptions really let you see and feel what's going on. Write more soon! also, I know a lot of people on her have been asking you to read their work and I hate to add more, but I have some poems and a story I posted that I would really love to have someone look at.Keep writing!

on Apr. 19 2010 at 6:16 pm
pedrobob BRONZE, Waterford, Other
3 articles 0 photos 5 comments
I think its very good.. Maybe a little JK Rowling/Stephenie Meyer inspired? Definately be a better novel than a short story also!

halez96 SILVER said...
on Apr. 19 2010 at 5:03 pm
halez96 SILVER, North Augusta, South Carolina
7 articles 0 photos 8 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return." -Moulin Rouge

This was really, really good. I can relate to it a tiny bit. I love stories like this.

Could you read and comment mine?

You don't have to, just asking? (:


on Apr. 19 2010 at 4:28 pm
ShantelTheAuthor BRONZE, North Carrollton, Mississippi
4 articles 0 photos 13 comments

Favorite Quote:
If you think you can do it go for it!

Can any one read my story screams of a silent girl

archery10 said...
on Mar. 28 2010 at 5:48 pm
can you read my poem and give me advice about how i could improve it?

archery10 said...
on Mar. 28 2010 at 5:46 pm
you are really talented

on Mar. 28 2010 at 4:30 pm
SarClark BRONZE, NC, Connecticut
2 articles 0 photos 534 comments
Omg pllleeease more... when when!

AquaGem SILVER said...
on Mar. 10 2010 at 5:29 pm
AquaGem SILVER, Kalamazoo, Michigan
5 articles 0 photos 50 comments

Favorite Quote:
Nobody will ever win the Battle of the Sexes. There's just too much fraternizing with the enemy. ~Henry Kissinger

Life it too short to let you matter.

I actually am writing more! I'm pulling in some mythology so the research is taking a while.

on Mar. 6 2010 at 11:16 am
easy-as-123-ABC SILVER, Palo Alto, California
5 articles 0 photos 5 comments
i am dying to know what happens next. would u consider writing more??

J. Rae said...
on Feb. 21 2010 at 9:00 pm
Mine will be Josey Rae or J. rae or something like that. It's my pen name. I'll try to get your attention when I published something.

on Feb. 21 2010 at 8:31 pm
haha will do will you read mine? Oh yeah and will your name be the same, mine will.

J. Rae said...
on Feb. 21 2010 at 8:14 pm
I've been on it since December. I love it so much i got a year's subscription and check the website every day. I'm going to publish some work in the summer when I'm old enough. I hope you'll read it!

on Feb. 21 2010 at 11:30 am
Hahaha don't worry rae im too young too our time will come sometime, i've been on this site since i was 11.

on Feb. 18 2010 at 6:50 pm
juicyfan6 BRONZE, Mount Laurel, New Jersey
1 article 0 photos 46 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." - J.K. Rowling

I agree with sleeplessdreamer and SharpestSatire. Good job though. :)

AquaGem SILVER said...
on Jan. 28 2010 at 9:29 pm
AquaGem SILVER, Kalamazoo, Michigan
5 articles 0 photos 50 comments

Favorite Quote:
Nobody will ever win the Battle of the Sexes. There's just too much fraternizing with the enemy. ~Henry Kissinger

Life it too short to let you matter.

The scene where the girll is killed is the prologue for the story.