The Chosens [INCOMPLETE]

Chapter I

JOHN ANDROMEDA

I run along the streets, trying not to make a sound. Everyone seems to be asleep this time of the night, but not me, though. I am fully awake. Fully aware that anytime now, I'll be caught.

I feel the cool breeze of the night as I traverse the coasts of Astana, the kingdom I grew up on. The sea is silent, as if it is asleep, too. I admire the stillness of the sea for a moment.

I glance at my back to see if people are still following me. No signs of them.

I slowly walk near the sea. Silently, I step on the water and feel the cold sensation rising on my spine. I enjoy the feeling for a moment, getting me back to when I had my first winter here in Astana.

*****

I lived in Crosta back then. My father is a Crostanian so we had the right to live there. We stayed there for a couple of years until the war between Crosta and Parsal lit up. Everything was in chaos, everyone fleeing.

I was 8 that time. I didn't know what to do. I saw my parents--both of them--running for dear life, without even the courage to glance at me. Panic caught up on me, pushing me to run. I felt a different surge of feelings inside me. I left the house and went outside, calling for help. I wasn't crying at all, as if I was someone matured and brave enough to face the outside world.

No help came for me. Everyone was in shock and panic. The surprise attack of the Parsal kingdom got them leaving their homes as quickly as they can.

They were too busy saving themselves so I had to save myself. I ran along with the people towards the port. As we reached the port, only one boat was there. My instincts kicked in. I had to run to be able to get on the boat or else I'll be left out to die, together with a lot of Crostanians.

Luckily, I was able to get on the boat. I fell asleep there, waiting for my next destination. I woke up when the sound of the bells filled my head. The boat has finally put on a stop. I peeked through the people to see a huge kingdom. The structures looked nice, like they were straight out from my dreams.

I squeezed through the people and went directly to the gates of the kingdom.

Welcome to Astana.

I stood in awe in front of the sign. Astana. This is where I was born. My mother used to live here.

She left me, I thought to myself. Did she survive? How about my father? I tried to shake the thought of them away. They left me in the middle of chaos. How did I still care for them?

It was a few days later when snow started falling from the sky. The breeze has become cold and people started wearing thick clothes.

I never had snow before, I thought. I enjoyed my first time seeing snow though it only lasted for a few moments. The temperature has dropped. I didn't have thick clothings, not even a shelter. I had to find a warm place to stay or else I would have frozen out there.

I rushed myself towards the nearest houses, knocking and begging for them to let me stay. Some of them just barely opened the door to answer my knock, most just ignored me.

My stomach grumbled. I was hungry and cold. I went to the market to, maybe, ask some food. I stumbled upon an old lady who seemed to be wealthy. I tugged her clothes.

"Can you give me food?" I begged.

"Oh, sure, dear!" she replied, grabbing a piece of bread inside her bag.

I grabbed the bread as fast as I could and ate it.

"You seem so hungry, dear," she said. "Do you need a place to stay?"

As I heard those words, my energy came back, though I wasn't able to say a single word. I just nodded, chewing the bread I was eating.

She brought me in an orphanage. It was huge. Warm and cozy. They let me stay as long as I wanted. They provided everything someone will ever need to survive. Clothings, food, water, shelter.

I stayed by the fireplace as the snow outside started to fall harder. The old lady stood by the door and stared at me. I just gave her a small smile. She then slowly walked towards me.

"John, dear, can I call you that?" she asked me.

I nodded in response.

"My name is Caroline, owner of this orphanage," she introduced herself.

I just stared at her, trying to recognize her face. She looked old, sixties probably, her hair already gray, tied to a bun. She had a calm look on her face. Her eyes are of emerald green, her lips rosy. Her expressions and gestures can tell that she's an upper class.

Caroline snapped me out of it.

"You seem so silent, dear," Caroline said. "I mean, John."

"I'm just, uh, thinking," I replied with a smile. "Caroline."

She gave me a smile and left. I stayed there, sitting by the fireplace, enjoying the warmth of my new home.

*****

The sea below me is getting wild, waves of water hitting my feet. I snap back to reality.

The moon above is shining bright, illuminating the village near the coast. The streets are dark and empty.

I take a run by the shore to avoid being seen. I try going as far as I can. I am running out of choices. I need a place to go, somewhere to hide.

*****

I stop by a motel. I only have a few Astanian bucks which I stole from a woman at the park. Well, what can I do? I am wanted and I don't have money.

I grab the money from my pocket. This will be enough for a night, I think.

I walk towards the counter and ask the clerk for a room.

"You seem familiar, sir," the clerk asks me. "Have I seen you before?"

I am wanted, I want to say. But I keep being silent, instead. Seeing me silent, the clerk instead asks me to write my name on the paper he hands me.

John Andromeda. No, I can't write that. They'll know about who I am. I am wanted. Posters of me are posted everywhere. Lucky they haven't recognized me yet.

I write a random name that comes in my mind. Bailey Carson. I smile a bit because of the randomness of the name.

I give the paper back to the clerk and he gives me a smile. He hands me the key of Room 12 and nods as I take it from him.

I head upstairs and open the door of my room. It's a small room with just a bed on the left and a small table and chair near the window at the right. I go out of my room and head towards the bathroom at the end of the hall.

I open the door and step inside. I lock the door and head towards the mirror. I stare at my face for a moment. My dark hair is a mess, my blue eyes tired. A few dirt is smudged on my face. I decide to take a shower.

I take off my brown vest and white shirt leaving my upper torso exposed. My body is lean from being on the streets. Running everyday, everytime. I then take off my trousers and let the warm water flow on my body. I feel every water trying to calm my inside. I enjoy the sensation.

After I'm done, I put on my clothes and head back to my room.

I sit by the bed until I finally decide to take a nap. I lie on the bed and minutes later, my eyes are closed.