Red Leaves Falling

Chapter One

I stood silently under the sunshade as the rain fell like broken pearls on the ground. Students stood around me in groups, whispering among themselves, laughing.

I let my eyes fall over them once, twice and then once again. I let my fingers skim the cool drops as they fell, enjoying the feel.

Realizing that the rain wasn't going to end anytime soon, I pulled the hood of my jacket over my head and walked out under the weeping clouds. I relished the feeling of the droplets caressing my exposed skin, they felt calm, gentle and loving. Feelings that nobody dared to toss my way.

I walked slowly. It wasn't very often that it rained in this town. One had to wait for months to feel the fall of the clouds.

I headed over to my brother's school. Since mom's birthday was around the corner, we had agreed to get her a gift by pooling our savings.

Every once in a while, a droplet would trickle down my back, igniting the bruises I had. The atmosphere outside St.Xavier's was eerie. There was a cold silence and the students were still in their classrooms. St.Xavier's students were let off fifteen minutes later than my school, so I stood near the school gate at the inside of the yard and waited.

A chilling scream cut through the moist air. A loud crash was heard. My eyes widened as I saw the flesh and blood before me. A boy was sprawled on the pavement, his arms bent at weird angles, his face tilted in the wrong direction and his mouth slightly parted, drowning in his blood.

His eyes were open and completely white, staring at me. Straight at me. The rain pattered furiously than ever and his blood flowed into the flower bed nearby. I tried to take a step back, far away, far away from this picture that was now painted deep inside my head with rich colors so bright that they could never be forgotten.

I stumbled and fell on the ground, my knees crashing. The school bell chimed loudly. I could hear sounds of loud footsteps against the cement. My fingers started shaking and I hugged them close to my body. A small cry left my body followed by hot tears flowing out. I inhaled and exhaled repeatedly, trying to catch my breath.

My mind was a mess. I shut my eyes tightly and my lips trembled.

Various shouts echoed across the yard. I heard the sound of running. I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you okay?" Jacob asked. I tried to form words but only silence fell out. A strangled sound came from my throat and I managed to utter a 'fine'.

He gazed at me worriedly.

"I'm fine." I repeated.

"I'm fine."

Again. Again. And again I whispered those words to my self, trying to erase the image of the boy from my mind.