Prologue

Haden leant against the lamppost, the sun breaking over the horizon, lighting his eyes up turning them into a bottle green. The grey, cold weather disappeared, replaced by the burning morning sun, as the birds tweeted from all around.

Rose was running towards him, her school bag slung over her shoulder, her hair cascading over her front, swept messily around in the wind.

“Hey!” She yelled, flinging her arms around his neck as he grabbed onto her legs, securing them around his waist.

They span round, in a flurry of jumpers, bags and messy hair, screaming and laughing, before finally Haden dropped her back to the ground.

“Hi to you too.” He laughed, as they began their brisk walk up the pathway, leading to the “hell-hole” they called school. “So, how much sleep did you get last night?”

“A few hours, but I’m fine.” She assured, falling in step with him, not looking where she was going.

“Are you sure? You look kind of tired.” He spectated, his eyes studying her face intently.

“Isn’t that expected when you don’t get any sleep?” She asked, turning to face him. Her eyes were glassy, bags drooping down from underneath and her entire body slouched like she was ready to pass out.

“This isn’t healthy, you should get some proper sleeping pills. Go to a doctor or something.” He suggested, genuinely worried for her wellbeing.

“I said I was fine! My Mum leant me some herbal things, and they’re doing a good job. Just stop worrying about me, you worry wart.” She complained, a smile plastered across her features, making her blue eyes sparkle, her tanned skin glow and her plump lips grow red.

“It’s just not right. I have to talk to you all night before you finally conk out, and then you get up at insanely early hours of the morning! How can you do it?”

“Trust me, I don’t exactly like it.”

After a moment of silence, Haden brought up a new subject.

“So, excited for the last day of school?”

“Yes! So glad that we’re finished with all those exams.”

Haden and Rose had reached a turning point in their journey, a busy road lay ahead. A half asleep Rose was mumbling about being tired, shuffling forward and completely unaware to her surroundings. She stepped off the curb, stumbling onto the road and right into the way of a speeding car.

“Rose!” Haden shrieked, leaping towards her, his face filling with fear.

Strong arms wrapped around her torso, and she was pulled off the road, the feeling of rushing hot air zooming straight by her face. She screamed, the honking of a car breaking her from her daydream, a rush of adrenaline pumping through her body as Haden planted her back on her feet, safely on the path.

“Stop, look, listen, you idiot!” He scolded her, his eyes still holding the scared feeling he’d felt moments ago. “Have you completely forgotten road safety!?”

“Sorry.” She muttered, flushing red, embarrassed that she’d almost got herself killed.

“Good thing you have me to look after you, or else you’d be dead long ago.” He smiled tightly, watching the road as cars flashed by, faster than the speed limit allowed. It was rush hour in the city, what did they expect?

“I’m just being stupid, y’know?” She replied, trying to cool her face down and stop the blushing that took control over her.

“When are you not?” He laughed, waiting patiently for a gap in the traffic.

“Don’t be so mean, Haden. I have feelings too.” She moaned, pretending to brush a fake tear from her eye.

“Well, we’re going to do this like little kids again.” He ordered, offering her his large hand. “You take my hand and we’ll quickly cross the road, safely.”

“Fine.” She grunted, taking his hand, flinching back from the warmth. Before she could withdraw her grip, he tightened his hand around hers and began to cross.

She ran after him, quickly making it to the other side.

“So, what did you get up to yesterday?” She asked, a strange feeling washing over her when she realised he hadn’t let go of her hand.

“I played football for a while, we had a match yesterday. We won 4-0. And then after that there was a celebration party.” He declared, puffing his chest out proudly.

Rose sighed, it was unusual that she’d missed his game. She made sure that she attended every single one, but yesterday she’d been forced into visiting her Dad by her Mum. She hated every minute of it, but it wasn’t her choice. Usually Haden went with her on her visits, but they both had separate plans that day.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there to see it, well done though!” She smiled, saddened that she’d missed one of his achievements. He’d always been there for her, and she just felt like she constantly let him down.

“It’s fine, really. It wasn’t that major.” He shook his head, but she knew he was lying.

“I’ll come next time…” She promised, finally getting her hand free from his. “So, did you get any action?”

“What?” He laughed, trying to stop himself from cracking up.

“Did you… Y’know.. Get lucky?” She mumbled awkwardly, going bright red in the face.

He finally calmed down, stopping himself from laughing hysterically.

“If you’re asking if I kissed anyone then the answer would be yes. But it was only a peck, from one of the cheerleaders.” He explained, scratching the back of his neck.

“Yeah, a peck to you is like a full on make out session.” Rose giggled, sending Haden back into fits of laughter.

“Shut up.” He shot back, pushing her away.

She laughed, noticing that they were nearing the school building.

“How was the party then?” She asked.

“Great, I got so drunk, had a killer hangover this morning.”

“Serves you right.”

“So, how did your visit to your Dad go?” He asked, examining Rose’s reaction.

“It was terrible, as usual. You know how much I hate prisons, and knowing what my Dad done just kills me. How could anyone do something like that?”

“Sometimes there is more to things than meets the eye, Rose. You need to look below the surface.”

****************

The loud clack of heels rang out in the stale, empty room, echoing out into the darkness. A woman, dressed in a black skirt, and tight shirt crossed the room, growing closer to the lone leather chair that sat in the centre, facing a wall of computer and TV screens viewing different parts of the city.

“Boss, we need to know, what are your orders?” The lady asked, politely to her superior.

“Are they ready?” A low, gruff voice asked, from the other side of the chair, out of sight.

“I believe so.” The woman replied, shuffling round to her Boss’s side.

“Then do it. Send our best men, and collect the children. Their time has come and they must finish off the job.”

Hello everyone, CraigyBoy2 here and proud to announce the start of my legacy, which I am determined to finish this time. After game problems, I was forced to quit the other but I am much more interested in this story line and think it has more potential. I apologise for the shortness of this chapter, they will usually be much longer, but since this is just the prologue/introduction I couldn’t add much in. Also, other chapters will be written from someone’s point of view, not third person, so that will be different too.

Feedback is greatly appreciated, I love getting comments from readers, so don’t be afraid. Thanks a bunch!

*I am aware of my punctuation mistake involving my dialogue, but I am currently very busy and do not have time to edit it. I will make sure to change this from Chapter 5 onwards, and will come back and edit the other chapters when I have some time. Apologies!*

Expected Update Day (for next Chapter) = July 2nd