Born without an expiration date

Two

ETNA

The only thing I remember was silence.

That day was like any other. Getting ready, having breakfast and sitting down to do some learning. I was studying at a University level, on my third degree. Having been an only child and home schooled, I spent a lot of time on learning new things. I passed all the secondary school work when I was twelve, then my A levels not long after my thirteenth birthday. My science degree was my first. I expected to learn more about why I was the way I was. Unfortunately that did not happen. I'm the abnormality that is not talked about, let alone taught about!! My Math degree was just for fun, and now I was at the beginning of my law degree, and really looking forward to the new challenge! After a productive morning, I stopped for lunch.

Mother and Father spent the whole time talking about my studies, while I pressed them to let me get a job. It was the same conversation most days.

After lunch, I studied again until late afternoon. Mother wanted milk from the shop, and I insisted I go alone. It's rare I leave the house alone, or do anything alone. I'm old enough and smart enough, but my parents don't seem to want to take that into consideration - they never to want to miss a second of my life. But I need some peace and quiet every now and again. To think just my own thoughts. Breathe my own air. Live my own life for just a second.

I hadn't been walking long. The birds were still tweeting, though the sun was fading fast. It was early November and the sun set quite early now. My favourite time of day. My favourite time of year.

Then all I remember was silence.