The Color of Magic

    They destroyed everything.
    I stare at the ruins of a town that I used to call home.  The once magnificent stone buildings are just a pile of rubble on the cracked streets.  There is no sign of life.  Not anymore. There are no men or women walking through the market.  There are no children noisily playing games in the streets, or clinging to their parents’ hands.  There is nobody.  Because They destroyed the people too.
    Stumbling over the piles of stone, I search for something, anything, that might give me some hope.  If only I had taken a photograph of my family with me before I left, then maybe I would feel like there is something worth living for.  I would give anything to be able to see the faces of my mother and father smiling up at me, and I would give even more to see the face of my younger sister, Ashlyn.  She was only eight years old when I had to leave.  I remember it as clearly as if it happened yesterday.

The sky outside is dark gray, filling the house with a dull light.  Ashlyn is crying into my skirt, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

“Why Kyra? Why?”  she cries.

I kneel down, tuck her curly, dark brown hair behind her ear, and look into her eyes.  They are a brilliant green, and shining with tears.

“I have to leave Ashlyn.” I say. “I love you, and one day you will understand.  I’m doing this to keep you safe, and to keep Mama and Papa safe too. Please promise me that you will look after Mama and Papa, okay?”

My sister nods her head as tears continue to run down her face.

“Good.” I say, and give her a hint of a smile. “Now, I’m going to promise you something.  I promise that I will come back for you.  I promise that I will never let anything happen to you.  When this is all over, I’ll be back here with you and Mama and Papa, and everything will be back to normal.  This isn’t my last goodbye.”

I look up and see my parents standing by the doorway.  My mother is crying silently and clinging to Papa's arm.  I give Ashlyn a long hug and kiss her on the forehead, then walk over to my parents to say goodbye.

“Kyra...” my father begins, but I cut him off.

“I have to do this papa,” I tell him, “it’s the only way.  You know that as well as I do.”

My father nods his head gravely. “I know that Kyra, but I wish there was another way.  You’re only 16 after all.  I just can’t stand the thought that I might lose you forever.”

I don’t want to go, but if there’s any hope of ever finding a way to fix this, then I have to.

Trying not to show how terrified I am about what I’m about to do, I give my parents a last hug and kiss, then grab my bag and walk out the door.

   
    That was two years ago now.  I didn’t know then that it would be my last goodbye, and it’s all because of the color of magic.

Author's Note

The start of a book! Let me know what you think.
I edited this a bit, and changed the names to something that I liked more.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

A very good opening chapter. Open the door to many questions and mystery. I like the description of the damage area and the goodbye. I look forward to see where you are taking the story. A excellent opening chapter.
Coyote

[Daydreamer54]

Loved the intro! u really hooked me with the first line. i wonder what happened and why she had to go away....msg me when u post more! ^^

[Neva Flores Smith - Cha..]

I think you would do well to write books (short stories) etc. it is very different from poetry and in my opinion, even harder. You do an excellent job of describing your characters, their surroundings and their thoughts. Well done.

[J. Ghalden]

Wow. This was fantastic. To be honest, I got this whole "Oh no, another Twilight fan-fic. RUN." vibe before reading through the whole thing, but man, even if it is with vampires or whatnot, I'd still read it. It's an excellent example of a hook chapter, and I really want to read more. I applaud you on the very well done chapter. Hopefully you will continue to write, because I'm a very curious person. And this will be gnawing at me until you do. xD

Anyway, again, fantastically written and good hook. Can't wait to read more.

[Olive Belikov]

ugh this makes me want to beg you to write more :) lol so write more please! now im gonna be thinking about what could possibly be the cause of all the death.

[Sophie]

I really like this, I want to know more, like why she's leaving and where she went, please write more :P!!!