Chapter one
Michael took a deep breath of the evening air as he walked down the dimly lit street. The pavement was cracked and the only noise to be herd were some alley cats fighting in the distance. The only source of light was a flickering lamp, swarmed by moths begging for its light and warmth.
Memories of Michael’s childhood came flooding back, he remembered the road where he would play hop scotch with Abby, and run from cars as they drove around the corner. He remembered the old wall Austin and him would spray graffiti and eat lunch after ditching school. He remembered the dark alley where Andy would have street fights and Jenny would meet up with Leroy to sell substances Michael was pretty sure illegal.
Now the road was silent, an engine hadn’t been heard since 2052, the graffiti had long been washed away, and the old brick wall was imprisoned by an overgrown hedge. And the alley was nothing but a haunted path owned by stray cats.
Michael looked to his left, and saw an old rundown house with windows caked in dust and a red door with peeling paint. Michael thought back to the previous owner of the house. A young man with fiery red hair and golden eyes that shone like the sun.
He had known the man well, and had been in an on and off relationship with him till his last few days. The night he died was the day Michael had truly felt what it was like to grieve. The man’s name was Fang Romanov, he had died of lung cancer due to him being a heavy smoker.
Michael began to taste the Tabaco on his lips and tongue whenever they kissed. Even though it had been many years, He could still feel the heaviness of Fang’s breath on Michaels skin.
Michael finally managed to tear his eyes away from the house and continued to walked, he picked up the pace a little, as if he was trying to run away from the house itself.
St. Scamander street was nothing but a ghost town now, no one would move in the empty houses. Twenty years ago people believed it was cursed, anyone that stayed in the street after dusk would drop dead like a fly.
However, Michael believed it wasn’t the village that was cursed, it was him. Everyone he had loved had died in the street, all too young. Although not everyone left him, he had Jenny, and he’s two beloved children: Oswin and Drayfus.
He wished Fang could have met them, Fang loved children. He used to visit the local foster home very Sunday to help out.
Yes, twenty years ago, this place was empty because of the ‘curse’, Only now, nothing but thieves, the desperate and fools lived in these forgotten towns. Everyone else would seek shelter in the main cities.
Michael looked up and saw he had arrived to the old jagged flat he called home. He fumbled for his keys, and even though he had lived at the flat all his life, he still couldn’t remember the right key for the front door.
He eventually made his way in and climbed up the tile stairs. He and his family were the only ones left in the flat, everyone else had died or moved, yet he still tip toed past Mrs. Cardic’s door, he was paranoid her ghost was sill listening out for his Doc Martins.
Out of breath, he finally made his way to the top floor, apartment number 172. The apartment he had lived in all his life. As he twisted the key he heard Oswin’s tender voice calling out for him.
As he stepped into the hall, he found Oswin already waiting for him, a smile from ear to ear on her face. It was hard to believe she was already 13.
“hey stargazer,” he said with open arms, welcoming her into a hug.
“Papa,” she mumbled into his chest, clinging on to him with her fragile arms.
“I’m home!” he cried out, placing his satchel on the kitchen table.
“Did you get anything good?” asked Drayfus, looking curiously at the bag.
“Only a few days’ supply of food, oh! And this” Michael pulled out objects wrapped in tissue, both children gazed at the mysterious parcel. Michael unravel it and held up a small feather.
“Is that real?” Oswin asked in awe.
“Yes, from a living breathing bird, found it chirping on top of a lamppost by the border.”
“what are birds doing past the border?” Drayfus asked picking up the feather and examining it.
“What were you doing by the border?” came a cold voice.
Michael looked u and saw Jenny leaning on the door way, an angered expression upon their face. “You know full well you’re not allowed outside of town.”
“Nice to see you too,” Michael said, wrapping his arms around Jenny’s waist and placing a kiss on their soft pink lips.
“I’m serious Michael, you know the rules of- “
Jenny was cut off again by another kiss
“I couldn’t find any food” he said, rubbing his hands up and down Jenny’s hips, “so I had to look outside of town, the disease has spread to all of the crops now”
“But what if you were seen?!”
They both looked over and saw Drayfus opening a can of sardines and waving the fish in his sisters face, both giggling at the odd face the creature had.
“Oh you got fish,” Jenny sighed,
“And sausages, sorry it was all I could find,” Michael pouted his lips and tilted his head, “please don’t be mad”
Jenny smiled and kissed Michaels forehead before scolding Oswin and Drayfus for playing with food.
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