Air

chapter 1

I walked through the huge barricade that blocked off the city from the rest of the world that they couldn't see. I was in; and nobody knew what I knew. They couldn't see what I could see. I was different. I had to find others. Others that will do what I do. I must find others that will take the risk. It's dangerous. You loose all sense of reality, but it is reality; a reality that is hidden from you. They all think I'm just your regular run of the mill teen. But, I had to do something I hadn't done since I first found out. I had to let it wear off, so that I blend in. I'm sure whoever now in charge of this place knows what I know.

People. Lots of people. I hadn't seen so many people in years. People shopping, children playing, beggars asking for spare change. But then they came. I flinched; thinking that they where coming for me, but no. They were going for the beggar. They took out guns and elongated batons and beat him until he was limp, then they picked him up and carried him away. No-one noticed. It was Christmas. It shouldn't be like this.

I shook my head. The drug was wearing off, or more the air was getting in. Knowing what happens next, I ran to the toilets. As soon as I got into the cubicle, I began to change. Every thing from my clothes, to my body type. Back to how I was before. Before I found out the truth. A Nirvana t-shirt, covered by a black hoodie, paired with black jeans and shiny black doc martens. A grey beanie, covering messy jet-black hair. Black nails. And, yes, checking up my sleeves. Scars. Just like before. I left the toilet and looked in the dirty mirror by the sink. I was thin. Too thin. A could see the outlines of my bones through my pale skin. Thin lips. Black eyeliner. The same emerald green eyes that everyone says are amazing. Oh the things these eyes have seen.

I slung my rucksack over my back and started walking to where I was picked up. Now to get to work. It's not hard to find the people we need- people with long sleeves, the people who look down on bridges and high places for too long, the people who don't fit in. To be honest, I I'm scared. This was my hometown, but I am a stranger. No- worse than that. I am lost. No-one knows where I am. I took a back alley that lead to a small, dark, creepy wood, with trees that seem as if they can see you, so no-one would see me. I got to the bridge fairly quickly, despite my thin state. I didn't even have to wait for someone. A boy, a similar age and state to me, was sat on the edge of the bridge. I went over and stood next to him. He looked up at me, with piercing blue eyes, messy hair and dressed similarly to me in black skinny jeans and a grey hoodie zipped up. He spoke to me.

"You too, huh?"

"...I suppose so."

"You ever thought of jumping?"

"...yeah."

"Let's be honest- if you know of this place, you've thought of jumping."

"Is that what you came here to do?"

He shrugged. "I think about it everyday, but I never have the guts to do it. I'm not happy here though. Sorry, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Hunt."

"Oh. I'm Luna. Cool name by the way."

"Thanks. You too."

"I have a small place, just outside town. Do you want to come?" I said, nervously.

"Sure. People always say 'stranger danger' and all that stuff but you seem cool."

I quietly sighed of relief. "Ok. Follow me."

We walked through the town and past all the Christmas shoppers. "It's all so patriotic," Hunt said, suddenly. "Like its so..."

"Fake?" I said. "I get you. Its like everyone is so happy and unaware to all unhappiness."

"Dude! You know me!"

"Haha. We're almost there now." I replied. Suddenly, they came from around the corner. I guess the drug had stretched that far. I began to panic, grabbed Hunt and threw us into an alley. He went to say something, but I covered his mouth. After I was sure that they were gone, I took my hand off him.

"What do you think you're doing?"

It was then that I realised that he hadn't seen them. "Sorry. That must have seemed so random. I don't know how to explain..."

"I have heard many things in my time. Please explain. I wont freak out."

I thought for a few seconds, and then shook my head. "No. not here. It's too dangerous."

"Please? Is there any way you could tell me?"

I looked around. There was a security camera in the corner that Hunt couldn't see. "not here. When we get to the outskirts of town I'll show you."

"Eugh fine. But you better show me!"

We walked for another 10 minutes, until we got to the pub where others were.

"Why are we stood in front of this old building?" Hunt said, questioning me.

"Now its time to explain."

I went into my bag and pulled out a vaporiser. I put in the liquid capsules, and said "here. Take a puff of this. Hold in the smoke until I say to breathe out. You can only breathe out when I say. And don't freak out if anything changes."

He took it. "...ok." I watched him. He removed it from his mouth, and gave it back. I took a puff myself, as mine was wearing out. I held in the smoke, then made the signal the breathe out when we had gotten to the alley next to the pub. I felt myself change again. I was filling out in body shape, a healthy body shape. Black leather leggings. A light pink crop top with a leather jacket. Again, black doc martens and green eyes. A gun slung around my slim waist. A few black and gold necklaces hanging from my neck and a black and gold watch to match. And finally, my favourite thing about the new me. Light, slightly curly baby pink hair coming down to my hips and swooping bangs. Ah. I feel good. I turned around to look at Hunt, who hadn't changed in the slightest. The only difference was that he was now deathly pale and franticly looking around everywhere. Looking at the real world.