paradise

Chapter 1- The beginning

POV- Adaline

It seems crazy to think how much life has changed in the last year, considering change is not something that happens often for me or really for the people around me.

It takes something big to happen for you to look back and realize that life is always moving and warping into something more, creating a back story of events that just seem to get more bizarre.

I pick up the tray with the small pots of herbs on them and turn around. Not seeing the body infront of me, I pump into him and lose my grip on the tray. Annoyed and frustrated with myself and now the soil and plants all over the floor, tears well up in my eyes as I bend down to clean up the mess at hand. Forgetting about the person I pumped into. I have always been an emotional person, crying for everything and nothing at all. It gets extremely annoying at times if you ask me. I just pump into someone and I want to bury myself in a puddle of my own tears, some days are better than others.

A deep rough voice pulls me back to reality, I look up realizing that the victim was not just the wilted plants on the floor but the tanned, light haired god In front of me. His amused eyes suddenly hardening to something more serious.

Not really hearing what he said. I clear my throat," I am sorry, I didn't see you there" I say as I return back to the task at hand.

Before anymore was said, I spun on my heels and left that tall handsome stranger behind me.

Carline my friend and co worker was at the front desk, looking through the latest magazine. As I walk closer she looks up, and snorts out a laugh before she could contain it. "You are a mess Addy, what happened, did you get into a fight with a garden nymph or something", she teases.

I roll my eyes which have thankfully not shed the tears that were threatening to fall.

The next morning I take up a cushioned seat outside under the awning. The weather today was not like the previous hot days. The sky is Grey with the promise of a weeks rain to come, which is a welcomed site from the sweltering heat.

I have always loved the rainy seasons, the smell of the cold fresh air as the rain hits the ground giving off that earthy smell.

waking up to mornings like this with the smell of black coffee was always the best feeling.

This morning felt different though. Usually I would feel refreshed, awake and happy from the cold fresh air. Except all I felt was drained from the lack of sleep, the nightmares darkening my dreams like a plague. I woke up gasping for breath like someone was covering my face with a pillow. There's this guy in my dream, I never see his face but his always there like a shadow. Waiting for something, it feels like he is suffercating me, drowning me. I feel so much anger and pain coming from him.

I snap out of my thoughts as my mom sits on the rocking chair across from me. I look at her smiling," it's a beautiful morning don't you think" I say as I put my cup down on the table next to me taking a deep breath in to try and calm my nerves. My mom and I are usually as thick as thieves but this dream. There was something about it. I didn't feel comfortable sharing it, I didn't even want to think about it. my throat tightens up at the thought of it. I look over at her, she pulls the big blue fluffy blanket tighter around her shoulders and a small frown appears on her forehead ," you know my bones don't do well in this cold weather".

She pulls her legs up underneath her getting more comfortable," you look tired" my mom states looking at me. I look over at the flowers and greenery in front of us, avoiding her eye contact." yes, I was up late reading" which was part of the truth." I heard you up early this morning" ,I say keeping the conversation casual.

The morning blurs by as I do my usual routine of putting down water and food for the dogs. 4 German Shepards, 6 huskys and toggles our aged Yorkie. Most find it odd to have so many dogs but my mom has always been a dog lover.

First it was just a passion and now it's her job. Dog shows and the occasional breeding of her top dogs. The exceptional pups find there way to rich family's that can afford them. We are a middle class family, we still struggle from time to time trying to keep up with the bills but we manage.

Once my chores for the morning are done and since it is my day off. I put on my running shoes and take a short walk up to the field not far from where I live.

It has been a while since I have been up here, but I needed to shake off the daunting feelings from the dreams I have been having. I take a lap around already feeling better.

On my last lap around, something at the edge of the field catches my focus. My shoe catches a dip in the floor and I stumble forward nearly face planting the grass.

It is not unusual for people to come up here, but what is unsual is that was definitely not human, and animals are not really spotted so near to civilization. There are a few trees and shrubbery creating a boarder but it was pretty much open land. Might spot a rabbit every once in a while but this was to big to be a rabbit.

I shake off the eery feeling it gave and just chalk it up to my mind being on overdrive from too much coffee and sleepless nights. I decide it's time to head home for a shower. When I get back, there is a note on the fridge saying that my mom has popped out to sort out a few errands and will be back much later.

After my shower, I get dressed and take a look in the mirror. The first thing I notice is the shadows under my eyes which make them look sunken and makes my face look more pale then usual, my dark brown hair and emerald eyes with a tint of amber does not help either to add colour.

I grab an apple and switch on the tv to a random movie. I spend the rest of the day cuddling in the warmth of my blanket, surrounded by the fluffy gang as I call the group of dogs.

I must have fallen asleep, cause I wake up to the sound of a door opening. I looked around but I don't see much, the sun has set and all the lights are off. The dogs are no where in sight. I call out to see if maybe my mom or brother was up and about but no one calls back. I make my way to the door, it was locked. It must have just been Beck my brother, he lives in a separate small building just a few feet from the house and occasionally pops by. Even though he lives so near, I don't see much of him. His out all day, no one knows where he goes or what he does anymore.

Hardly on speaking terms. I don't mind though, kind of use to my family going there separate ways.

I make my way upstairs hopfully able to fall asleep again, still feeling sluggish from my nap this afternoon.