Kept

Kept Book 1

Chapter 1

It's mid-Winter. I can tell because I can feel the sheer cold of snow fall softly on my cheek. I feel a rough, wood feeling underneath my head and hands. I feel drowsy as I try to open my eyes. As my eyesight clears, I see a black road scattered with bits of snow. I sit up and see that I'm on a bench. I look above me and see a street light blinding me. I see snow gently fall down to my face. I stand up and I look in curiosity to see what was around and where I was. All I saw was the road on the right curve into a corner and the road on the left stretching straight ahead with streetlights illuminating both ends of the road. I was lost and worried.

I follow the road to my right trusting my instincts. As I turn the corner I feel a sense of loneliness. My body is freezing like crazy. My legs are getting numb from the cold winter air. I knew I needed to get to shelter quickly. I stare straight ahead and see a bridge and hear trickling coming from underneath. The bridge had a tiny stream running just below. I walk as fast as my frozen legs can hold me...down to the bridge. As I was standing on the bridge, an overlook of buildings shine brightly. The buildings were much too far. I took shelter under the bridge being careful not to slip. I decided to take another nap it was getting dark and I was too afraid to go walking around in the dark. I found a patch of grass underneath the bridge. It was nice and soft. I try to get most of my warmth from my thick scarf and my two layer coat. I knew that I could make it through the night.

I can hear the trickling of the stream and feel the tip of my toes touching the cold water and slowly I drift into sleep. I open my eyes waking to see that the sun was just starting to come up. You could see the sun was still on the horizon behind the trees illuminating the sky with a dim, orange and dark blue color. It was a beautiful sight, but I knew it was still too early. I tried to get a bit more sleep, but I couldn't help but think "where am I?"

I finally woke up again with the sun right above me. I could feel the sun's heat beating down on me, but there was still a cold breeze that would go by every now and again. No snow fell that morning. I woke up hungry. I remember how my mom would make me Ramen in mornings like this. The ramen soup would soak my tongue with a tangy rich and spicy flavor and the steam would open my sinuses and-"WAIT! What happened to my mom? Is she okay?" I hope so... I stand up and give a long stretch. I wash my face with the water from the stream. The cold water wakes me up and fills my body with energy to start the morning. "Now where do I go?"

I climb the little hill that leads me to the other side of the bridge. I see the same buildings from yesterday, the lights were still on but dimmer in the day light, but I had this strange eerie feeling like I've been there before, but I don't remember. I followed the road for what seemed like hours that morning. I stopped to take a break and decided to sit on the side of the trail covered with tulips. Beside me was an apple tree. I was so happy I've been so hungry I thought I was going to faint from hunger. I remove my coat and use it as a bag. I pluck one apple from the lowest branch hanging off the tree. I clean it with my shirt and take a bite. *Crunch!* The apple juice fills my mouth with a sweet fruity texture. My mouth starts watering with satisfaction. I took another bite...then another until there was nothing but the stem. I climb the tree and gather as much apples as I can to last me the rest of the day and stuff them in my coat. I stood on the way top of the tree and see a field of tree tops surround me. I could see the buildings they were built up on a hill side. I knew I was getting closer. "Not too much farther now!" Just then I hear a rustling coming from under me. I climb down as fast as I can to find out what made that sound. "Maybe I'm not the only one here." I suddenly slip on a tree branch still covered with snow and fell hard on my side. My coat fell off to my side, along with the apples. I stood up still a little shocked from the fall and started to investigate. Nobody was around. I shout out, "Hey! Is anyone there!?" nothing happens. I shout again, "Hello is someone there!?" silence continues. I knew I heard something. It must've been an animal. "Eh? Who cares, I need to keep going before it gets dark."