The Eighth Plane
Chapter 1, Released
Swirling wind danced eagerly that morning, and drunken leaves fluttered through the sky. This was a day like no other, darkened by the black clouds that hovered above. It was on that day that everything would change. A whisper of darkness would surround me. The whispers haunted me; they told me I was going out of my mind.
Hunted.
That's the word that runs through my mind nowadays. I couldn't help but think this as rain pelted me in my shivering escape. Water ran down my face as I cut around another corner in the chase. I could vaguely hear someone following me, watching me as I ran for home. I don't know why I was out there, or why I was being followed, but in that dream, I was running for my life.
I could hear the rhythm of my own frightened footsteps as I darted; the clash they made against the wet pavement. The aura behind me pursued. I could hear splashes and footsteps that seemed like they didn't belong. They were hollow sounds that didn't exist. I was terrified.
It wasn't until I awoke that I realized that it was a dream. My eyes fluttered open as I rose, water falling from my face. It was strange, my cloths were soaked! My alarm was going off as if there were a fire! I could only sit there and think, draped in wet sheets and blankets. I was to go to school, I remembered.
I was to get on with my life...
My usual route toward Rukonai Highschool had been cut off that day. Every morning I'd walk through the watchful eye of the night sky. The sun hadn't bothered to rise yet. Though, It didn't bother me any. I was always fully awake by the time I reached school anyway.
For the most part, it was another usual day.
By the time the bell rang for us to go home, I felt unusually bored. My friends simply greeted me with meaningless words, forcing me throw small smiles in their direction. It was the same thing over and over again, until I decided to break that routine; my first mistake.
I headed toward a small forest enveloping the outskirts of the city. I had heard of a haunted shrine there. I decided to find that very shrine, or at least enjoy my walk through the forest. It was better than taking the usual route, right? That's what I thought, what I believed, until I saw it.
A light bow and small quiver sat up against the tree. It waited there, shrouded in small shrubbery and aged leaves, as if it had been there for centuries! It was made of sleek, bent dark wood, and reminded me somewhat of the oak trees that surrounded it.
I looked around cautiously. Did it belong to someone? Why was it just lying there? Nobody was around. The bow seemed innocent enough, and almost exciting to look at. I had never seen one in person before, an actual ranged weapon! I picked it up carefully and examined its design. The forest seemed to sway in the tide of swirling wind, almost tempting me to try it out.
I sighed at the empty quiver. There was a bow, but no arrows. Maybe later on I'd be able to buy some. I shrugged and hung it over my shoulder. It'd probably be fun to play with later on. Hence, my second mistake.
Once I arrived home I went directly to my room and locked the door. My little brother and sister seemed mesmerized in a show, they hardly noticed me come in.
I slipped into my room and threw the bow and quiver to the side of my door. I pushed the door softly until I heard its usual click! I couldn't try the bow out even if I wanted to. I retrieved my math homework and slapped it on the desk.
It seemed like a lot of work from afar, but truly, I already had learned this type of stuff. The teacher just felt it his duty to lay on five times extra work for me than anyone else. I guess I didn't mind... I had other things to worry about.
I could hear the clock passing time slowly. My glance landed on the quiver from time to time, but my mind was on my homework.
Of course, I ended up falling asleep at my desk. But even in subconsciousness, my mind reeled over the possibilities of this new toy! I needed some sort of outlet. I needed something to take my mind off of school. I would hang on to the bow, and be sure to keep it close. Video games did nothing for me; T.V. made me yawn; this bow was the key!
My last mistake.
---
I arrived home the next day with a bigger stack of homework. It seemed the teacher had no problem giving me work from the next year over. If I didn't know better, I could have sworn he was making me do his taxes!
It was strange though; on my way home that day, it felt as if I was being followed, as if I were being watched from behind. Nobody was there of course, but I couldn't seem to shake the feeling. I was in my room now. My door clicked and I kicked off my shoes. The bow and arrows almost seemed to smile in light from my window.
"You miss me?" I laughed.
I gave a satisfied smile before turning back and assorting my piles of paper. I moved my books over securely, and organized my worksheets one by one. I adjusted my lamp and filed my pens. Finally, I took a pen and flipped it between my fingers, before resting my forearm on the desk and writing my name on a paper.
"Ryo-ka~" I spelled; and then I froze.
I sat staring at my paper as if it had died and come back from the grave. Yet it wasn't my paper that had surprised me--it wasn't homework that seemed to halt my sense of judgment.
Quickly I turned back to the bow and quiver, doubting my own perception. Was it me, or had I just seen arrows in the quiver?!
I stared the arrows down until the whole vision began to blurr. They seemed to mock back at me, leaning in the pocket of the quiver without a care in the world. My heart almost leapt. Someone had been in my room!
I looked around for any trace of recent activity. Nothing. Had someone in the house filled it with arrows? I shook my head quickly; that was illogical.
I stood from my seat, leaving the homework to itself. I stared for a moment, pondering the possibilities. Either way, it meant I could practice my aiming with the bow. I smiled slightly. Maybe I just didn't notice at first!
I took the bow and arrows to the roof of my building. Clouds soared overhead, and I could hear the chirps of birds throughout an evening sky. I smiled as a breeze sailed over my face. It was a nice day to be outside. I slowly withdrew an arrow, and set it in place. Of course, I was fourteen at the time, I hardly knew how to work a bow and arrow.
I shot a quick arrow into the sky, and watched it fall some three seconds after. I grunted in annoyance and grabbed another arrow. At the time, I didn't think of the consequences of firing a weapon into the air, but then again, I didn't think of a lot of things. I released the next arrow, aiming for an almost circle shaped cloud and smiled in amusement.
Three more arrows fired as I tested this new toy. I began quickening my pace. I turned in different directions counterclockwise as I fired each one with close precision. My aim was obviously improving. I smiled and began targeting actual objects.
Cans on rooftops were hit after minimal attempts. Chairs and satellites were struck fiercely with my mighty arrow as I laughed in sheer joy. I shot another arrow into a flock of birds, watching as they dispersed into the sky in different directions. The amount of chaos from one weapon was astounding. I literally laughed out loud at the mischief. I didn't realize I could still have that kind of fun!
I could see a perfect target about a rooftop away. It seemed small, almost like a small rabbit. I could see that it was moving slightly, it was definitely a rabbit. I smiled and took aim. I'd probably miss anyway. What harm could it do?
The bow began stretching almost beyond its limits as I pulled the arrow back. I aimed carefully, noticing that the rabbit seemed to be an odd color, somewhat of a blackish color. It was probably the light fixture of the setting sun. I tore my hand from the gripped arrow, and let it soar toward its designated target.
The bunny fidgeted slightly and awkwardly as the arrow flew in its direction. Had I honestly just shot at an innocent animal? At the time I didn't think of that. I just watched the bow disappear in a shot of wind and glide to its target.
It was only then did I realize.
The creature I shot at; it most certainly was not a rabbit. The creature's skin became sheer black. It twitched and turned ominously toward the arrow; toward me! I stared long enough to notice large white eyes locking intently into my own. A whisper broke into my head, rattling things that could never be understood. I wanted to cover my ears!
In fact, it seemed like I heard the whispers earlier that day! I was being followed, and now, I had found what exactly had been following me.
The creature vanished by the time my arrow had crossed the two buildings. My arrow clanked and snapped, and bounced across the roof like a discarded soda can. I stood staring in that direction, unsure of what to do; unsure of what to think. What kind of creature could disappear before your very eyes?!
---
I walked through my front door with a small smile. My sister turned her head slightly to take a look.. Her eyes widened at something. I stared at her for a moment. I tried to decipher what she could find so interesting about me. I looked at my clothing, they were normal, for the most part. Finally I looked back at her.
She was barely looking at me! I looked around, looking for anything that could possibly be out of the ordinary. I then made a snobbish face toward her. She was obviously just being dumb.
My brother soon joined her. He looked over slowly and widened his eyes as well, almost as if he were gazing right through me.
"Did you open the door?" My sister almost muttered. My brother shook his head.
I squinted my eyes and approached them.
They were both still staring at the open door, before my brother stood up to close it. He walked passed me, as if I weren't even there. I scowled.
"Quit playing around guys..."
I rose an eyebrow when they didn't respond. My brother sat back down after slamming the door.
"Hey, idiot!" I close to yelled, trying to get my sister's attention. She simply shrugged toward my brother and giggled. I was stunned. They really didn't see, nor hear me. I began to grow desperate. I grabbed my brother by the shoulders, and turned him to face me thoroughly. My sister just glanced in curiosity.
"Don't ignore me when I'm talking to you... I know you can see me!" I said. A shocked expression taped itself onto my brother's face. He stared passed me, his eyes frantically searching for whatever had touched him. I began waving my hand in front of his face...
"Heey!" I yelled this time. Finally his curious eyes finally started following my frantic attempts at attention.
He jumped back with a yell quickly and hit his head into the tv. I gazed at him in silence. My sister was shocked just the same. I gave them a look of confusion--a look I wasn't too used to giving.
"Finally, you guys can see me!" I gave breathlessly. What can I say, if it was one of their pranks, they certainly got me.
"R-Ryoka? Where did you come from?!"
---
That night I lay in my bed pondering. The words of my siblings revolved through my head consistently.
"Ryoka! You just appeared out of nowhere!"
"Brother... I swear, we couldn't see you!"
"How long have you been here?!"
They really seemed to be telling the truth. Their voices were frantic and desperate for answers... I had seen them in the act of lying, they weren't that good! I sighed and turned over in my bed. My eyes fell upon the bow and quiver. Did it have anything to do with that?
"Oi, kid..."
I jumped and fell face first out of my bed at the sudden voice behind me. My hand reached desperately for the bow and arrow before I leapt up and took aim. Unfortunately, I didn't look to cool standing in nothing but my night boxers...
"Calm down, I'm not gonna touch you."
A woman sat crouching in my window! She wore something that you'd see a wolf tribe wearing... A black fur around her waste and ankles surrounding her naked feet. I gaped at her red hair and the markings recklessly strewn across her cheeks. However awkwardly dressed she was, this woman was gorgeous.
I quickly noticed my own semi-naked attire and covered myself desperately with the bow.
"W-what do you want!?"
I stopped when I noticed a scar on her right cheek. It was completely black, and almost shined as she stared at me. I stood for a moment. It was as if I had never seen that shine of black before, it wasn't of this world. I asked again, in a slightly more mesmerized tone...
"W-what do you want...?"
---
Next Time!
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Author's Comments
So, this is the first chapter of The Eighth Plane. Trust me, much more interesting things to come.
-Possible name change- Ryoka finds and takes home a lone bow and arrow. He tries it out only to be plagued by odd happenings that seem to link together. He ponders over his day in bed, and is greeted by an even odder stranger... All Comments Welcomed. |
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Comments
Anyhoo, I really enjoyed this. First of all, I think it is the first thing of yours that I have read which was in first person. I don't know why you were avoiding it before cause you're a natural. This story is very creative as well. It combines real world times (highschool, bunnies, etc...) with cool old fashioned stuffs, the bow and arrows. You also showed off your impecable ability to create a unique character. There was one line that at first I didn't like, but then i though about it and it is probably one of the best things you could have had Ryoka say. "Completely illogical". At first I was like , why doesnt he just say, "that doesnt make sense" but then I realized that Ryoka wouldn't say something so infantile.
Something I thought you could do better was work on the flow of the story. You said he fell asleep and had another weird dream, and you set it up to describe the dream. If you weren't going to do that (which is better, cause two dream scenes in the same chapter is a bit much usually), then just say something equally ominous, he had the same dream. The story also felt a bit choppy at times, but I think a quick re-read and edit woule care of it, but just incase you did that, I'm letting you know anyway.
I loved the ending, you introduced what looks like is going to be another main character. She was described perfectly, and the incident with his shorts was really funny, I almost lol'ed. Anyhoo, I dont know if you meant this ether, but there were a few erm...innuendos. For example, when he "woke up wet" from his dream. And when the bow was "tempting him from behind", I may just be a pervert, but those sentences were quite suggestive. I like this story so far, and I give this chapter an 8.5 outa 10
anyways, awesome!!!
--
hi i'm manel! you can call me elle or anelle, or lace or...
--
hi i'm manel! you can call me elle or anelle, or lace or...
--
Popele who are barlnliit are spuitd. It is toshe who are wsie eonguh to usennratdd taht who are srmat.
--
I'm part of Project Reciprocation
~The Eighth Plain [link]
--
Popele who are barlnliit are spuitd. It is toshe who are wsie eonguh to usennratdd taht who are srmat.
Though I never thought of the question you asked, I'm glad you were paying so much attention!
--
I'm part of Project Reciprocation
~The Eighth Plain [link]
--
Popele who are barlnliit are spuitd. It is toshe who are wsie eonguh to usennratdd taht who are srmat.
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