As I ran toward the orange sky and the setting sun, a gush of cold wind passed by soothing my soft skin.
At the same moment,
A soft smile began to form on my face, my eyes squinting.
I took out the envelope stored in my right pocket.
With the invitation in hand, I held it up, facing the setting sun, the rays seeping through the sides; I admired it briefly.
I was in disbelief-surprised, to say the least.
I had never imagined getting such an opportunity, but surprisingly, I was accepted.
I gripped the envelope tightly as if I was nervous to lose it.
I opened the envelope slowly but steadily; I didn't want to risk it ripping.
As I looked inside, There was a white piece of paper, I wiped my sweaty hands on my shirt.
I reached into the envelope, pulling out a folded piece of paper.
I unfolded it, and bright gold letters shone.
I read the envelope. There was information regarding what the academy was looking for: talented students-
"Golden students".
Students with enough potential to bring down huge calamities.
Not knowing what it meant by huge calamities as there wasn't anything to be afraid of besides bears and hogs, right...?
I didn't give it much importance.
As I kept reading and absorbing the information. I read that The ceremony would be held in one week, as they gave us time to get prepared o and say farewell to our families.
As if we would not come back.
I read a bit further.
We were going to stay in the huge dorms, each having our own room.
But my favorite part was yet to come; my face was bright as the sun at its peak, and my eyes shone.
There was going to be a cafetería serving food three times a day.
I got excited, waiting for the day to come.
After a brief moment of joy.
The sun's horizon neared its end.
Suddenly my smile slowly started to fade.
My tight grip loosened.
A deep silence filled the air. The cold air blowing in my direction.
I subtly remembered,
Where was I to go?
A thought rushed through my mind.
'Alan's place... I could maybe stay there for a while.?'
Quickly brushing the thought, I shook my head.
How could I burden such nice people?
I simply can not take advantage of others' kindness.
I had to find a place to sleep.
Somewhere hidden, somewhere warm, or at least a place I wouldn't freeze.
As I roamed the streets I stumbled upon a dark eerie alley.
It seemed to check all my boxes.
I glanced around, trying to find something I could use.
In a dark corner, I found multiple rotten wooden crates.
I aligned them, forming a bed-like shape.
It wasn't the best, but it was better than the hard, cold concrete.
As I lay down trying to find a comfortable position.
The crates shifted beneath me.
If I was going to fall.
After a moment I closed my eyes.
I relaxed my tense body as I felt a sense of relief.
My stomach let out a loud rumble.
I didn't care, I just wanted to rest.
I fell asleep with an empty stomach, and a heavyweight pressed upon me with the worries of tomorrow.
I do not know how long I had slept.
My body shivered without control. I wait for the warmth of the sun to wrap around me.
I was startled.
I heard footsteps echoing through the long, eerie alley.
They got closer and closer, they Got louder and heavier.
I slowly started opening my eyes. I heard something besides me.
No.
I heard... someone
As my eyes had barely just focused.
I saw a dark silhouette standing right in front of me.
In less than a split of a second, a sharp pain struck my stomach,
Sending me rolling over the rotten wooden crates.
Gasping for air as if every ounce of air had been stolen,
I spat, clearing my throat.
My arms naturally wrapped around my stomach as it felt as if a hammer was slammed against it.
As I rolled in pain, a man pulled me, slamming me down and restraining me to the rough floor.
"Give me everything now!" He barked at me, holding a sharp knife to my throat.
My body froze as I felt the cold steel caressing my soft neck,
I trembled in fear.
My pupils dilated.
My mind went blank.
"I have nothing!" I said, my voice cracking.
Something in my brain clicked and came back to my senses.
I have to get out of this...
No...
I will get out of this.
As a tiny piece of the envelope showed from my right pocket, the man quickly noticed.
"Huh, I see that in your pocket how dare you lie to me!" The man spoke with an arrogant tone, putting on a smug face.
He pressed the knife closer.
My fingers gripped the cold concrete.
I had to think.
I had to get away.
I had to try.
My eyes widened, and I looked behind the man as if someone was behind him.
"Help me!" I screamed, letting out the little air I had left.
The man's face turned pale, as he quickly turned his back.
Just to find... nothing?
Now is my chance.
Using the little time I had to save myself,
Shoving him with every ounce of strength I had, throwing the man off of me.
Our eyes met.
His eyes looked hungry-but not food, but to live.
Before I could catch my breath.
He lunged.
Knife raised.
Aiming straight for my neck.
I didn't know what to do.
I froze-my body paralyzed.
Suddenly, it moved on its own as if it wanted to live.
In the blink of an eye, I heard a fast yet quiet slash.
I instinctively dashed to the side, evading the devastating attack.
He flew by me, his blade missing me.
My stomach turned.
What would've happened if the blade struck my neck?
Adrenaline filled my paralyzed body, as it was ready to fight or die.
I leaped onto his back.
He lost his balance, and his body slammed hard onto the cold concrete floor.
We tumbled violently; his knife flew far from his hand, and I found myself on top of him. Gaining the advantage,
But not for long.
His heavy body and raw strength overpowered me.
Then, he knocked me down, and he ran towards his knife.
I couldn't let him get it.
Desperately I extended my arm,
grabbing his pants.
Suddenly the world had darkened,
He struck me with his heel,
My head snapped backward, biting my lip, I moaned in pain.
As I opened my eyes, the man lunging forward.
He had the expression of someone who had to live.
This time, he is aiming for the head.
With no time to react, desperate I clenched my teeth.
As he tried to pierce my skull, I grabbed his hands suddenly stopping the knife from advancing further.
My arms burned, and I couldn't hold on for much longer.
"I don't want to die, I want to live!" I shouted-pleading with the man.
My words act as fuel, igniting the flame inside his heart.
"I want to live too," he growled, his voice low, trembling with rage.
"in this cruel world... it's kill or be killed."
Pressing down harder.
Slowly, the knife gets closer by the inch.
My arms were shaking, and my muscles were screaming.
What do I do?
What can I do?
I spat In his face; for a split second, his grip loosened- just enough.
This was all I needed.
I took the opportunity, I took the knife out of his grasp.
About to end it all.
He grabbed my arm, digging his fingers into my skin and slapping my hand.
As my hope.
My only chance to live,
slipped through my fingers.
The man placed his cold hands around my neck, squeezing as if his life depended on it, which they did.
My face tensed, slowly turning red.
I couldn't breathe.
I tried to fight back.
I couldn't.
My energy was depleted.
I felt as if I was drowning in the air.
My throat felt dry.
I felt powerless.
Hopeless.
I want to live too...
I want to have dreams...
I want to love.
Something snapped inside of me.
The feeling of death sneaking up on me.
It's not the first time I experienced it after all.
As my vision blurred, I could only see the outline of the man.
In a desperate attempt, I had only one option left.
As I slowly lifted my finger to the man's chest, my vision got blurrier by the second.
My breath cut short.
Finally, what felt like an eternity.
I touched the man's chest.
"What are you doing!" The man shouted as he looked down.
Suddenly everything went quiet.
I felt as if something rushed through my body.
Spreading rapidly like wildfire to my fingertips.
"I-I want to live," I whispered.
For a moment it was silent.
Not a word, not even a breath.
Then-
The man screamed.
Black flames erupted from where my finger had grazed on the man's chest.
The dark flames rapidly expanded throughout his whole body.
"Please let it stop! let it stop!" He screamed, his voice dwindling.
But there was no one to answer his call to cry.
The flames quietly took his life away.
The flames made no noise.
No smoke.
Only screams to be heard.
I watched, I was horrified.
Terrified.
It was an accident.
But...
does it even matter?