Bullets of rain batter the cracked pavement on which I stand. The sky, a dark grey in colour, blends in with the monstrous concrete buildings of the city.

I stand in the middle of an abandoned street, staring at the darkened sky. Droplets of rain caress my features, masking the tears that are blurring my vision.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

I glance at my watch: 10:33pm. I should go home. But... What home? A home is a place where you feel loved and safe, not hated and unwanted.

I sigh, wrapping my arms around myself in a failed attempt to keep heat from escaping my body.

I'm freezing. But I just can't go home. I can't.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Hate. Sadness. Guilt. They wash over me in waves. Waves with the capability of drowning me. Hate at myself. Sadness for the state of my family. Guilt for being the one to cause it.

Footsteps resound around the once silent street. "You know, I could feel your emotions a mile off."

In front of me, dressed entirely in white, is a boy. Welcoming hazel eyes meet my cold grey ones, as I snap my gaze up to his face.

I don't reply.

He cautiously steps closer.

"I could help, you know." He claims. Noticing my lack of response, he shoves a hand through his brown hair. "Oakley, I need you to cooperate with me."

My eyes widen. "How do you know my name?" I ask, my frantic voice a few octaves higher than normal.

He shakes his head. "That's not important." He sighs, "I'm Alo."

"That's not important." I say, imitating his tone. I turn my back on him, and begin to walk away.

And I walk straight into a person.

Alo.

What the hell?

I turn around and stare at the space he had occupied before, hoping this was some kind of illusion. "What...?" I whisper, slowly backing away from him.

"Oakley. I need you to listen to me. I'm not going to hurt you." He says, reaching out a cautious hand and taking an uncertain step forward.

I stare at him with wide eyes, still moving backwards. "Look... Alo? I'd really appreciate it if you leave me alone... Thanks." I say, before spinning around, only to come into contact with him again.

Seriously... What the actual heck is going on?

"Oakley, I'm afraid I can't do that. I need you to trust me."

"How can I trust someone I just met?" I frown, again stepping backwards.

Mirroring my move, he steps forward. His hazel eyes darkening slightly - probably a result of his frustration. "Oakley Louise Westford. Listen to me. I am not going to hurt you. You have to trust me. There is something I need to show you."

"Whoa, dude... You see, there's this thing, it's called 'stranger danger' and I'm pretty sure that it describes this situation..." I squeak out.

He disappears.

Thank you god! It's over...

I'm safe.

Wait.

Scratch that.

A hand clamps onto my shoulder, and the next thing I know, I'm standing in utter darkness.
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Edited: 27th July 2015