Laceration

Chapter 1: River

Julie woke with a start, her heart still pounding from her dream. Fragments of it forced there way into her head. Her home, burning, with her family trapped inside.  Plague, ravaging her friends, leaving them sickly and pocked with boils. She tried to calm herself by looking around her room. An smoothly carved wooden dresser, holding a
single candle, (nearly a stub by now, after many nights of reading), and a book. Her stained window, thrown open to let the cool summers night air in.  And a wardrobe, bedecked with boxes, containing hardly worn jewellery. She threw her sweat soaked bed sheets off, and crept out of bed. Julie hoped that her father was asleep by now, finished polishing his iron sword for the kings guard. She slunk to the window, and stuck her head out. The cool breeze playfully tossed her chestnut hair from her braid, and with it went the remnants of her dream.  The river rushes lazily by as usual, providing a comforting sound. Another sound joined its serenade; splashes. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she made out a human figure standing by the river, casting stones into its foaming banks. Curiosity overcame her momentary surprise, and she clambered out her window. "Hello?" Her voice was whisked away by the wind, but the figure evidently heard her, for they froze. "Who's there?" A smooth, low voice responded, echoing with caution. "Just someone out for a nighttime stroll" She replied, screwing her eyes up as to get a better look at the stranger. "Oh" they paused, as considering what to say. "Me too, i suppose. Im mostly casting stones into the water." Julie paused, before approaching this stranger. "What is your name?"  He (his figure and voice all suggested the gender opposite of hers) cocked his head. "Aren't you a tad wary? A stranger, at night?" "I suppose not" she responded, bold as brass. "You have yet to beat me with a stone." He laughed, flicking hair aside. "So." She crosses her arms. "Are you going to answer my question?" With only a moments hesitation, he gave his answer. "Rome. Thats what the call me. Now, care to tell yours? Or shall I just call you River girl?" Now it was Julie's turn to laugh. "Julie."  They stood, looking at each other for a moment
more. He broke the silence first. "Well, i need to go. See you around, River Girl." He turned foot, and walked along the river. Julie returned to her home, and crept back into her bed. She soon slipped into a dreamless sleep, with a smile etched upon her lips.