Tuesday, November 6, 2012

100 Theme Challenge #1



Theme 27 – Lost and Found

I had no choice but to go through the alley. It was going to rain soon and it was the shortcut home. I didn’t think I’d run into “him.” At the time, I was too worried about getting rained on rather than the monsters and demons who called themselves humans hiding in the shadows of the alley. I hesitantly ran a hand through my black hair and began my journey between the buildings. Sure enough, as soon as I got halfway through, men and women in rags and covered in mud came into view. “Money!” “Food!” “Money!” “Food!” They all mumbled the same thing.

I could feel my heart pound with nervousness. I had nothing to offer these Misfortuned. I kept my eyes forward and continued walking, in fear of some pervert creeping up from behind. I felt bad for the Misfortuned, a community of people that have to give an arm and leg to get what I could obtain with only a smile. I jumped as I heard a harsh growl come from behind one of the very many littered corners of the alleyway.

“Don’t be scared.” I heard a voice say softly. I couldn’t help but gasp and frantically turn to my left only to see a boy sitting against the alley wall. He had long, silver hair, down to his earlobes. He looked around the age of seventeen. I couldn’t seem to make out his eyes through the silver strands that hung in front of his face. His posture was lazy and his clothes were dirty and baggy. I felt pity for him. “We, the Misfortuned, won’t… excuse me… CAN’T hurt you. You’re a Lunar, right?” He asked. I didn’t know what to say. Lunars and Misfortuneds aren’t usually ones to communicate with each other. Such a difference in social classes, that it almost seems sinful.

He finally managed to make eye contact with me, his pitch black eyes connecting with my light blue ones. “You have money, friends…” He stood up, hovering several inches over me. “…And power. What do you want from us?” He walked towards me and put his hand on my head, as if to see if I were real.

I didn’t push him away, though. His movement was gentle. His silver hair was matted and very unkempt, not uncommon for his class. “You’re only a boy, my age. Why are you here with these people?” I asked quietly, ignoring his question. I gazed up at him, trying to make eye contact once more, but he denied my request.

“I fell.” He responded. “I strayed away and got lost. Fell and ended up here.” He looked down at me and gave me an obviously fake smile.

I made a pouty face. “Talking in metaphors is so confusing.” I huffed. I let out a small giggle, attempting to let him know that I was joking. He didn’t seem to find the humor. He removed his hand from my head and sighed. “It’s going to rain, isn’t it?” He mumbled. My eyes widened. THE RAIN! I hated the rain!

“I-I’m sorry, but I need to get home. The rain is--” One drop fell right onto my nose. “KYAAA!!!” I screamed. The liquid was cold and sudden, it shocked me. Slightly embarrassed by my outburst, I looked around to see if anyone was staring at me. The only one who was staring was the silver-haired boy. He had his head in his hand and he was smiling. My face heated up and I stomped my foot. “I-It’s not funny!” I growled.

He chuckled. “You Lunars are so dramatic.” He sighed and took off his jacket to drape it over my head so I wouldn’t get rained on. “Let me walk you home. It’s not safe for a young girl like you to be in the Misfortuned area on your own.” He wrapped a gentle, protective arm around me. “I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

It began to rain a decent amount as he walked me through the alleyway, keeping me by his side. He was getting drenched because I was terrified of the ice-cold liquid. “I’ll make it up to you.” I sighed.

He looked at me. “What?”

“I’ll make it up to you for helping me.” I smiled at the ground, wrapping the jacket tightly around myself. “After all, you did say you were lost.”

I looked up just in time to see him smile. “Well, I’m glad you found me.”

Theme 27 – Lost and Found

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