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U/ra*nu-s Heath - PS16 Final

elvisishere04
Feb 10, 2017
4 min read

So the Princess Solar final was actually back in late December but I have only just got round to posting this on the website, so apologies.. But U/ra*nu-s Heath came 4th!

We had to write a story including another planet and the planets included in my story are metaphorical. There is Neptune and the Sun/Mars. The story is also set 2 years ahead of the competition. So here it is...

The hospital rang this morning. I got dressed and grabbed my scarf before heading downstairs and jumping into my knackered fiesta. The hospital got me straight through to Grandma's room.

I stared down at her lifeless body. Paper thin skin and paper white face. I could feel her floating away to a different reality. I ran my tongue along my teeth and bit my lip as a nurse placed her hand on my back, rhythmically moving it up and down.

"Ms. Heath? Are you okay?"

I tensed my body.

"I'm fine." I say trying not to lash out

"Social Services are here-"

I push away from her and put my hand on Grandma's bedside table.

"Why the hell are they here?! I'm 18, I can look after myself!"

I lean back and feel the table rolling backwards towards her bed. The nurse puts her hand forward.

"Ms. Heath, be careful..."

She waited until I had moved away from the table to continue.

"They just want to check that you're okay."

"What are they going to tell me that I haven't been told before?"

She sighs and straightens her pinafore before looking up at me in the eyes.

"A lot..."

For the first time in my life I feel free. No responsibilities, no expectations, no anyone. I've got stuff from home, a jacket, a hat, a choker, strong boots. All I could need. Now it feels like I own my small home city and I can do whatever I wish to it. I leap from one concrete tile to the next, rushing to somewhere I don't know yet. Soon though, the darkness starts to descend upon me and this city of hope. Gradually turning it into a city of dread. The thought of mum owning Grandma's house and dad offering me a place to stay begin to form into valid ideas in my head but I swat them away before they have the chance. Lights are flickering to life around me, illuminating perfect lives and perfect homes. I follow the tall building next to me all the way up to the top watching as specks of light tumble out of the windows onto me.

I sit down and begin to drift before a harsh shout snaps me back.

"Oi! You can't be here."

I look up in a daze to see a police officer towering over me gesturing for me to get up. I stagger and sway as I get up, my body in reality but my mind in a dream. I notice the rain stinging my face as the officer takes me by the arm and studies me.

"You been drinking?"

"No"

"Drugs"

I wipe my face

"No"

"I'm sorry but you can't be on busy streets like this."

People are rushing past me through the storm in groups, in couples, alone. Some ready for a party, some begrudgingly carrying briefcases.

"You just get home safe okay young girl?"

I nod and the officer walks away. As soon as he has turned a corner a group of people my age wander past but one of them stops and throws a piece of litter at me. I immediately recognise him from school a few years ago and turn my back. I wander the streets, my bare chest and neck being pelted be what feels like little pieces of fire but in reality are hail stones. The wind whips and rips through the alleyways. Picking at leaves and litter. I try to flex my hands but they're slowly freezing. Frantically, I look for somewhere safe to sleep.

A bright light trickles from the corner of an alleyway. Enticing me in. Wearily I walk over and turn the corner to see a fire blazing in a pile of recyclables. I cautiously walk over and warm my hands. Suddenly, the fire roars and spits fire around it landing on the floor and me. It spreads and soon fills up the whole alleyway, I run away as quickly as I can. I run back onto the street. The people are still running through the rain and the hail and the wind. Waves of people are getting on the bus and I sneak into the sea. I step up on to the bus and meet the drivers stare.

"Are you going to pay now or at departure?"

"Departure"

I go down the bus aisle trying to find an empty two seats. There are only fold down ones, ordinarily for the disabled but they are free so I fold two down and sit. I wrap my coat around me and lay down. And finally I can sleep.

"Last stop!" The driver abruptly yells from the front. I jump and sit up, straightening my hair and jacket. There is only 3 other people still on the bus. I look up at the clock. 23:47. How is it not the morning yet? Am I trapped in this seemingly endless night forever? I stand up with the other passengers and colour swirls in my eyes.

I hold my hand over my eyes but the bright flashes of colour continue. At last I look up to see my Grandma walking towards me with her arms out. I try to focus my eyes to see her properly but instead they blur and my dad appears too. I stumble backwards holding onto myself. I gain my balance again and look down at the floor breathing heavily. Someone taps me on the shoulder and a faint recollection of my mum comes to my eyes.

"No..."

Mum and dad hold my hands.

"No... no, no" I whimper

Mum starts to run her hand through my blue hair and Grandma now holds my hand instead. Pressing it against her face. I hear a loud bang and my family disappear. They are replaced with 3 men all running towards me from the doors of the bus as my head hits the cold, hard floor...