The First Chapter

Laughing, Kate and her friends ran under a tree for shelter. It always rained in Terraya, so it was nothing of a shock; the teachers never even called the kids off the oval anymore. They huddled under the tree’s thick branches, telling jokes and gossiping. Suddenly, Kate’s phone rang; she could feel it vibrating in her pocket. “Hold on guys, someone’s calling.” As the group laughed and joked about ‘year eight secret admirers’, Kate moved towards the other side of the large oak. “Hello?” Nobody answered, and Kate hung up. About to return to her friends, Kate glanced back to see if there was a rainbow. “Rainbows always bring luck… and living here, we must be the luckiest people alive…” Her voice trailed off as she stared into the distance. She took a second look, and gasped. Through the rain trudged a girl, her clothes dripping with mud and water. But it wasn’t the wet clothes that got Kate’s attention; she saw them often enough in Terraya. It was what the girl was wearing; a gown. White and long, it was decorated with beautiful jewels and embroidery. With a smile, Kate thought that it looked like her mothers wedding dress.
The girl was walking slowly, and without purpose. Her long dress dragged in the mud and was ripped and torn. Kate looked at the girl. “Oh my -” Kate said, breaking off in mid-sentence. With a shock she realized that the girl was only about her age. She had long, blond hair, but it was filled with leaves and twigs. She walked with her eyes to the ground, but as Kate watched, she raised a hand and wiped at her eyes, as if afraid to show her tears. She glanced up, and saw Kate. Kate, uncertain of what to do, ran out into the pouring rain to the girl. The girl stared, then ran in terror. “Wait!” Kate yelled against the screaming wind. The girl turned around, still running, and for a moment their eyes met. Kate saw how scared and hungry she looked. Then tripped and fell, splattering mud over the dress. As she tried hopelessly to get up, the dress tore beneath her feet. A wild, frightened look came upon her, then one of hopelessness. She slumped down in the mud, put her head in her hands, and cried.
Kate ran over to her; she didn’t even notice. “Here.” Kate said gently, and offered the girl her umbrella. “What do you want?” The girl sobbed. “Do you hate me too? Do you want to ruin my life too? What?” Kate shook her head. “I just wanted to help. You seemed so-” Kate paused, thinking of the right word “…so hurt.” The girl sighed. “You’re not from ‘round here are you?” Kate asked. The girl shook her head, flinging wet strands of hair in her eyes. “No. I came from Orin, over those hills.” She pointed towards the horizon. In the distance, Kate could see the hills. She saw them every day, but never thought about what might be on the other side, or even if there was anything on the other side.
Orin was a small town, originally made to hold prisoners in the war. It was never destroyed, and some prisoners never left. They made their homes there. Kate shuddered. She couldn’t imagine anyone living there. It was full of black houses with shabby roofs, and the streets were damp and cold. The whole place was miserable.
An awkward silence surrounded them. “Well, uh, I’m Kate.” She said softly. The girl nodded slowly. “Yeah. I mean, I’m Chloe.” She said. Kate smiled at her, “Why don’t we get out of this rain, huh?” Chloe nodded again. “Yeah.” She said.
Huddling under the umbrella they walked back to the school. As they approached the grey brick walls of the gym, Chloe froze. “What’s wrong?” Kate asked, concerned. “I- I-I- I can’t go in there.” Chloe stuttered, her face white as a ghost. “No, it’s okay. They won’t mind.” Kate said reassuringly. “No!” Chloe yelled, terrified. “I won’t! You can’t make me go!” Kate frowned, “Chloe, what’s wrong? Its fine… it’s safe.” Shaking, Chloe sat down on the muddy step. “I’m sorry – I just – I don’t want to go in there.” Kate nodded understandingly. “That’s okay. We can go back to my place if you like.” Chloe smiled, “Thanks” she said. Kate half-expected her to ask about school, and what would happen if she didn’t go to class. But she didn’t. “Let’s go then… it only takes a couple minutes to get home.”
When they arrived home, Chloe hovered in the doorway. “What if I am not allowed? If your mother comes home don’t let her beat you! Tell her it was all my idea and-” Kate hugged her softly. “My mum’s dead.” She said slowly. Chloe looked aghast. “Oh god- I am so sorry! What have I done?! I am so sorry!” She collapsed on the floor with tears brimming in her eyes. “Chloe,” Kate began “It’s okay. You didn’t know.”