On The Run

Part 1 ~ The Unexpected

Rays of light filtered in through the cracks of my parchment curtains, its fingers just touching the edges of my duvet as I pulled it back slowly and placed my feet on the cool wooden floorboards. For a few moments I just sat there, my gaze drawn to the window, its view barely reaching the small courtyard and yet still, I had the familiar feeling of being watched. I shivered slightly, the sensation running the full length down my spine, shaking off the ridiculous thought I moved to draw them closed fully. Making my way to the small chest of drawers and sifting through the limited collection of hand-me-down clothes, I managed to find my favourite green top along with a pair of faded, blue jeans.

My morning was packed full of the normal jobs and routines, the usual chores of mopping the floor after breakfast and tending to the gardens. My clothes were soon patchy with mud stains and various other ones I had managed to pick up along the way. Being the oldest meant I was heavily relied upon to help out around the large building, and with only five sisters and a handful of older children we all had to help out where we could. I mean it was the least we could do after all they had done for us. It came with its perks too though; the extra piece of toast at breakfast or larger glass of chocolate milkshake. Sometimes we could even stretch it to a whole extra piece of cake!

By noon, I had just enough time to return to my dorm before lunch, finally managing to grab a few moments to myself and just simply lie on my bed and soak in the sun as I mentally planned my birthday in the next coming week. The sisters had agreed to let me hold my own birthday party this year, knowing it would be a nice occasion for the younger ones to attend and give me something to plan and prepare for, generally a good way to celebrate my departure.

The sisters knew of my plans to leave, just as others had before. It was a common occurrence with those of my age; the limited availability of facilities, homes and jobs in such an isolated area had always made those who had been here strive for more. But nevertheless it would still have a slightly downcast undertone hanging over it, to leave this place behind and those that had cared for me would be just as hard for me as for the sisters who had effectively raised me. For them to watch me leave the safety of the orphanage would be like that of an adult finch watching their young chick leave the nest in their first flight, never having gained any true concept of the real world before they literally plummeted into it.

*Click*

I sat up instantly, my eyes fixed on the door, and yet it was still closed. A confused expression quickly clouded my features as I scanned the room looking for anything out of place, anything which may have fallen or moved to make the sound. The minimal decor left little to be unseen, my explanation of the sound coming up short.

As I continued to ponder my surroundings, realisation was quick to jump to the forefront of my mind, my gaze dropping to that of my locket. With tentative movements I carefully pulled it free of my neck and turned it slowly between careful fingers, the first time in a while I had handled it with such care. It came to rest face up, the delicate rose still carefully etched into its surface and the small marking still evident between its leaves. However this time the marking seemed to be more than just a few lines dotted into the silver. As I peered closer they seemed to rearrange themselves, forming letters, a single word, a name, "Rosaline".

I gasped slightly as the name seemed to register, stirring something long forgotten. Its familiarity increased more so as I stared at it. The clasp to its side seemed to pulse slightly and as I went to press it, it easily slid open at my touch. I pulled my hand back quickly, suddenly nervous to open that which had been closed for a good 16 years.

But still, curiosity got the better of me as I slowly pried apart the two halves...

***

Just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has commented so far, it really is lovely to see what everyone has to say and your suggested improvements. It really makes me want to keep writing this more.

So with that said, I hope you like my first chapter!

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