Chapter 1

It’s cool and dark outside as I drive, dark clouds hovering over the plains,I listen to the gentle taps of the raindrops as they hit my windshield. I make a turn into the LA Vie restaurant parking lot. I notice it's packed with many cars as I desperately search for a parking space. The rain drops start to get heavy. After what feels like forever I finally find a spot up ahead. Relieved, I drive towards it, it's short lived as a car speeds past me and snatches it. I hoot then step out of my car, too angry to pay any attention to the heavy downpour weighing on my body. I stand in front of my car, arms crossed, words at the tip of my tongue ready to shoot ammunition.

A man steps out of the car, he walks up to me. He slowly scans the area before his gaze lands on me. He takes slow confident strides towards me until he is a few feet away, he's tall enough to make me crane my neck to meet his gaze. The rain gets heavier, clouding my vision making it difficult to maintain eye contact with him. He has a strong intoxicating scent. A mixture of coconut and vanilla that pleasantly invades my nose.

"Look I found that spot first, please give it back."

The man folds his arms, "Find another spot." His voice is deep and strong.

"There is no other spot mister."

"Hmm."

"Hmm? What do you mean hmm ? Is that a hmm as in I'm gonna fix it or a hmm as in whatever?"

"It's not my problem."

"It sure damn is since you took my spot."

"I didn't realise your name was engraved in it. Should I go and look?" I detect a trace of an Italian accent. It wasn't there when he first spoke. Interesting. I don't miss the hint of sarcasm in his voice as well. Irritation boils inside of me.

"Look around," I stretch out my arms, "There is no–"

I'm interrupted by a loud bursting noise. A strong pop rings in my ears momentarily deafening them. Confused, I glance around and spot the restaurant in pieces. My chest tightens and my blood runs cold. Before I can register what to do next, I'm pushed to the ground, shielded by a body. Another explosion goes off this time so near that I feel pieces of glass fly around me, on me, besides me. My body is paralyzed with fear. Flat on the ground I look around, glass, metal , flesh is everywhere. My head throbs with pain. A warm liquid runs down the left side of my face. I swipe it off with my fingers and look at them, they are stained red, panic bubbles inside me as I stare at my bloodied fingers. I feel the air being sucked out of my lungs. Wrecked cars and bodies are scattered all over. The pungent smell of burning flesh stings in the air. Cars are on fire, people screaming and blood, there's so much of it. Not enough rain from the sky can wash away the blood. Bile rises up my throat. I topple over to the side and spill out this morning and afternoon's contents on the side. All I see is red, so much red. My body is shaking and heaving as I empty my stomach. Once done I scoot away from the mess. I'm soon helped to my feet and dragged away from the mess. My mind is so disconnected from my body. There's so much blood everywhere. My mouth tastes bitter. Vomit threatens to spill out again but all that comes out is a dry heave, I might vomit my internal organs at this rate.

I'm made to crouch down again. My tears mix with the rain. I feel so cold,shivers wreck my body. I can't breathe and my chest hurts, it hurts so bad. I start to feel lightheaded. The rain isn't helping matters as it makes me feel as though I'm drowning,slowly. This doesn't feel real, this is just a nightmare right? The pain waves moving through my body tell me otherwise.

"Hey hey ! Look here." A strong commanding voice snaps me back to reality. His voice brings me back to reality, I thought he left.

"Breath." He commands. I inhale then exhale. Just as I'm regaining composure he quickly drags me to my feet, and we start to sprint. We approach a ditch, hesitation creeps in, he locks his hand in mine, this eases my nerves a little.

"We're not gonna make it." I say.

He says nothing and tugs my hand urging me to speed up. Ignoring my aching body, I pick up the pace. Were we gonna make it ?

Another explosion goes off and the world goes black.