The chirps of insects called at her, the night breeze danced past her skin, the rustling of dry leaves beckoned at her and the oak trees formed a canopy feeling like home.
The dry leaves rustled under her feet as she moved farther into the forest. She settled under an oak tree, her arms thrown across her legs, cuddling her.
Her eyes took in the surrounding, her escape spot she had learned to come to when the weight of the world felt too heavy on her shoulders, when she felt this irresistible urge to kill her parents.
Today was her eighteenth birthday, she was supposed to be at home, with her parents in the little gathering that comprises of her and her parents but the urge was there, she couldn't shake it off.
It started in the morning, she felt her skin being pulled, like she was wearing an overly tight dress that didn't fit. The burning feeling in her throat and fingertips, the silent scream she was trying to hold back.
But then it snapped… The pain kicked off. She felt her heart tighten, her bones were breaking under her skin and she could feel it rearranging itself on its own accord.
The scream she had fought so hard to restrain, finally broke loose. It tore out of her throat, sending the birds flying off farther away into other trees and the smaller animals fleeing under the shrubs in the bush.
The sound that had escaped her throat was nothing human - it was raw, primitive, cannibalistic and wild. She slapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide open as she listened again for the sound, convincing herself, she didn't produce the sound.
Her eyes moved from one part of the forest to another, and then a deep breath escaped her nostrils - of fire, a breath of fire.
Angry, red flames escaped her nostrils and her mouth before she had enough time to stop it.
The bush erupted into wild fire. The flames licking up everything it came in contact with. The flame reflected in her eyes - her eyes that couldn't decide if it should stay golden or red.
But then again, the fire didn't lit her up, instead it came as pets, licking her up in warmth. She felt heat at her fingertips and looked down. Red flames danced gracefully at her fingertips illuminating the forest that was already burning down.
That was it. She just set a forest on fire with just a breath.
Adrenaline kicked in, she stood up and looked around for signs of the cops, they were none. So she did the next thing that came to her mind. Run.
She raced down the forest, bursting through the end of Maples street. She could see her house at the other end of the street, a blue - roofed, two storey apartment.
Her hands found her way into her hair, brushing it back removing dry leaves and twigs from her hair - chest nut brownish hair, littered with silverish streaks.
The door creaked open and she stepped inside the house. Her mouth hung open as she beheld the house she had grew to know, her parents really went all out, balloons hung loosely down the roof, lights shimmering, the number 18 decorated round the house and a light smile played on her lips.
"Daughter" Her mother Elena called. Elena was everything she could ask for in a supportive mother. Caring, kind and always ready to support.
"Mum" She called shakily, her breath wavering as she moved further into the house.
"Let's sit for dinner" Roland, her father said.
But calamity struck again, just one look at the chocolate cakes reduced it to ashes. The '18' decoration turned black and melted onto the table.
"Mum" She called, her breath catching. "I'm sorry" She began.
She took in a deep breath to stable her emotions, she couldn't let all her parents effort go to waste.
And with that singular breath, all electrical switches went off, the lights switched off and she could hear a vague sigh from her mother.
She shook her head, she was done with this, slowly she retracted upstairs.
"Nyx" Elena called, "We need to talk" She added and Nyx shuddered.
She had always knew something like this would take place, her parents were finally going to abandon her but she wasn't one to give up easily.
"No" Her shrill voice echoed sending papers flying and breaking the dinnerware on the table.
She ran into her room and locked the door against her.
This was not happening to me.
Her heart pounded against her ribs as she slided down the door, sitting in the floor and the tears she so wanted to avoid came rushing down.
Her chest heaved up and down as the tears rolled down her eyes.
Then the familiar urge came again, the urge to kill her parents, she felt her hands tighten, flames dancing at her fingertips and suddenly a knock sounded from the door.
"Sweetheart, we've got something to say to you" Elena reassuring voice sounded. The voice that had managed to pull her through her various fits she occasionally had when she was younger.
But now was different, she was an adult now and they could rightfully dispose her.
She closed her eyes and threw her head back, her back resting on the bed as she sat at the edge of the bed.
She sat there listening to the sound of her heartbeat, her head against the bed.
"Nyx" She heard Roland's soft voice and she shook her head.
"No" She whispered.
The sound of soft footsteps going away echoed in her ears. She closed her eyes to block off the barrel of sounds coming at her.
Morning came quickly, the streams of light flowing through the closed curtains blinded her eyes. Her eyes snapped open, wide eyes looked around the room to make sure everything was intact. It was and she heaved a sigh of relief.
She turned to look at the door to make sure it was still locked. After making sure everything was intact, she stood up slowly and headed into the bathroom for her bath.
The cold water cascaded her back and flowed all over her body, serving to remind her she was still normal.
Normal. She scoffed.
Her life was an insult to that word.
She finished dressing and walked to the door, she pushed her head out from the door and looked sideways to ensure no one was visible at the hallway.
She stepped out of the room cautiously and moved towards the entrance of the house.
"Nyx" That familiar voice sounded and she halted.
"Are you not staying for breakfast?" Elena asked.
As if invited, the tantalizing smell of pastry attacked her nose but she was afraid to look at the dinning table,she wasn't about to burn down breakfast as well.
"No" Nyx said and picked up her glasses from the table - glasses she wore to hide her dual colored eyes.
She stepped out of the house, the morning breeze sent her hair flying, she threw her bag into her car and got in.
She brushed her hair back into place, started the car and off to school, she went.
School. Only the thought of the place filled her with agony and horror. She had faced multiple bullying at school to an extent she became immune to it or so she thought.
But it now served as her only escape spot from home, from her parents - parents she felt an irresistible urge to murder - as she had burned down her homely getaway, Oak forest.
At that she drove past Oak forest that had been reduced to ashes, fire fighters and the cops were there conversing in low tones that somehow echoed in her head.