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.


on May. 19 2023 at 8:21 pm
Snicker_36 BRONZE, S Ogden, Utah
3 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
"People should run free with beards and books!" Mr. Wilson, my history teacher

It was beautiful!! I wad worried about the narrator the entire time.

on Aug. 9 2022 at 1:12 pm
13bookworm4596 SILVER, Mantua, Ohio
7 articles 7 photos 33 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Stay gold, Ponyboy." -Johnny Cade (S.E. Hinton)
"One moment of pain is worth a lifetime of glory." - Louis Zamperini

This reminds me of a fantasy novel or something. It really kept me reading!

916454 said...
on Mar. 1 2022 at 4:50 pm
916454, El Paso, Texas
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
I really like how you created a sense of both dread and uncertainty when the main character reveals they aren't scared about what might happen to them but instead of what might happen to the other guy. Although, I do feel that the main characters metahuman abilities could've been hinted at earlier.

on Jul. 25 2021 at 5:07 am
Crazywolfiegirl2 PLATINUM, Kington, Other
26 articles 3 photos 284 comments

Favorite Quote:
There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter. —Rachel Carson

I love this, you are so talented!

mesa98712345 said...
on Jan. 18 2019 at 11:35 am
mesa98712345, Chicago, Illinois
0 articles 0 photos 2 comments
YOU MAKE ME DEPRESSED!!! :'(

bigchungus said...
on Jan. 17 2019 at 2:17 pm
bigchungus, Provo, Utah
0 articles 0 photos 1 comment
it's like tots lit my dude

on Jan. 16 2019 at 4:42 pm
amazingsquantch, A, Utah
0 articles 0 photos 7 comments
cool!

on Jan. 16 2019 at 4:42 pm
amazingsquantch, A, Utah
0 articles 0 photos 7 comments
cool!

on Jan. 16 2019 at 4:42 pm
amazingsquantch, A, Utah
0 articles 0 photos 7 comments
cool!

on Jan. 16 2019 at 4:42 pm
amazingsquantch, A, Utah
0 articles 0 photos 7 comments
cool!

on Jan. 16 2019 at 4:42 pm
amazingsquantch, A, Utah
0 articles 0 photos 7 comments
cool!

on Jan. 16 2019 at 4:41 pm
amazingsquantch, A, Utah
0 articles 0 photos 7 comments
cool!

on Oct. 5 2018 at 1:36 pm
Hermione-Granger BRONZE, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
4 articles 0 photos 198 comments
I really like this!

on Aug. 20 2015 at 1:42 pm
SomeoneMagical PLATINUM, Durham, New Hampshire
22 articles 1 photo 259 comments
This is a great story. You have a lot of talent. By the way, I read your Opulence and think it's a really good idea. Looking forward to the novel if you post it

on Oct. 29 2012 at 5:54 pm
TaylorWintry DIAMOND, Carrollton, Texas
72 articles 0 photos 860 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Never fear shadows. They simply mean there's a light shining somewhere nearby." - Unknown

I was really impressed with this! This is very well written and would be a perfect idea for a book or series. One thing I absolutely adored about this "excerpt" was that you didn't reveal any key points, or why the man was stalking her. It kept my eyes stuck to my screen. Great job!

on Oct. 7 2012 at 5:13 pm
greatfriendsinger4 GOLD, Omaha, Nebraska
10 articles 0 photos 6 comments

Favorite Quote:
Every night I hand my worries over to God. He is going to be up all night anyway.

You should definately make this into a book!  It's well written and very enjoyable.  I loved it!!

on Sep. 15 2012 at 7:36 am
mia.juliana BRONZE, Memphis, Tennessee
1 article 0 photos 3 comments

Favorite Quote:
“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well.” - Stephen King

This is fantastic.  Definitely make this into a book.  I want more! :)

on Aug. 2 2012 at 11:39 pm
Camille1234 PLATINUM, Corbett, Oregon
23 articles 0 photos 45 comments
you should make this into a book :) I would read it if you did :) It has the perfect storyline and would make a really good book :)

Maysoon said...
on Aug. 2 2012 at 10:28 am
This story was really good. If there were some continuations then you could put them together in a book and possibly publish it.

on Jun. 19 2012 at 6:53 pm
MayaaMagdy BRONZE, Nasr City, Other
1 article 0 photos 8 comments

This is amazing,i really really like it