Dark Energy by carlsojos

Chapter 1

Eight years ago...

It's the middle of the night, but I just can't sleep. Some nights, I could blame the heat, but it's actually quite comfortable tonight. Not content with sitting around, waiting for the dream world to envelop me, I get up and look around. My room is quite dark, since I already extinguished my oil lamp for the night, and because electrical lights haven't spread far yet thanks to the high cost of all the equipment involved. Besides, what good is a light if it only works for about an hour after dark? The moon is light enough tonight, anyway.

My eyes stop at the mirror, and I see a young girl in a simple nightgown staring back. If it wasn't so dark, I'd see that my long hair was a dark pink, like I was a brunette who tried a hot pink hair dye without bleaching first. I've never touched hair dye since it's so expensive, my hair seems to simply have chosen this color. But, the most intriguing feature about me are my ears. They have a unique shape, rather elongated, but still somewhat rounded, similar to a cat's ear mixed with Parmanian features. My father has the same ears, but he's said that he doesn't really know why we are so different from the other people in town. I'm sure there are other features, but my hair and ears were the big targets of the class bully when I was younger. He stopped teasing me when I broke his nose one day, and not long after, we became friends...

A sudden creak perks my ears up and pulls my attention from the mirror to my door. I see some light coming from under it. Why would my parents be up at this hour? Out of curiosity, I quietly walked to the door and put my ear against it. I hear my mom speak.

Something wrong, honey?

I, just... I don't know. I just have this bad feeling. Like something bad is coming.

I don't notice anything, hon. Maybe it's your nerves? It has been a long time since we all went on a vacation.

No... Well, maybe. I think I'll go out for a little fresh air.

I decide to creep out to ask what is spooking my father, so I open the door and peer out. I could tell my father heard me because his ears perk up like mine, but my mother was a normal Parmanian, and didn't notice since she was fumbling with a house key. Why don't we both go out?

Without turning, my father said, Marika, what are you doing still up? Don't you have studying to do in the morning?

My dad was alluding to a class I was in. There is no mandatory educational curriculum in Aiedo, but I had volunteered for a class and I had to prepare a report on some radio lectures I was listening to each morning.

Hey, Dad. I couldn't sleep. I heard you two talking so I decided to poke my head out.

Well, your mother and I are going out for a short walk to clear our heads, then we'll be back.

Okay, have fun! I'm just gonna raid the pantry for a quick snack, then I'll go back to bed.

I went into the kitchen and got to work preparing a small sandwich. A few minutes later, I have my prize, and I turned back to the main room, to see a red glow outside the window.

What's that? I ran over to find out what the glow was from. It turned out that the city of Aiedo is the host of 2 massive fires, one to the east, and one to the south. I screamed.

Startled, I quickly rose erect in my bed, in a cold sweat. Looking around, I recognize my surroundings as a simple dorm room, my room, just south of the university that I now attend. I hear a knock at the door.

Miss Ashley? It's the caretaker. Are you okay?

It was a dream. I don't know why, but I've been dreaming of my past lately. Yes. Yes, I'm fine. I just had a bad dream. I run my fingers through my hair... no ashes from a fire when I withdraw my fingers.

Okay, I just want to make sure you're okay. Oh, by the way, some girls were looking for you last night, but when I checked, you were already asleep.

I wonder who could've been looking for me; then it hit me.

Oh, I forgot! There was a party some friends wanted me to attend!

I heard the dorm caretaker shift behind the door, then he continued. Well, they weren't particularly happy you couldn't make it. I know you are a good student and all, but I want you to remember, there is more to life than work. Go ahead and take it easy sometime-you're probably the only person in the dorm who really could use a little more fun.

I glance over at my desk, covered with reports and nearly a dozen textbooks. I guess I do try pretty hard... I know, but there is so much I need to learn out there. I'm going to see a lecture in a little while, could you keep my breakfast warm until afterwards?

Certainly. Take care, Marika. I hear him quietly walk off, then get up and get ready to head out.

Next chapter

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