1 Chapter 1:
A hysterical laugh leaked through the empty abyss. If someone heard they world realize the laugh was broken, a very humane element gone.
He stood there gazing down at the hollow vessel that was once his body. The clear lack of flesh or feeling and the phantasmal shadow that surrounded a core, proved he was no longer amongst the living. Even the laugh produced no noise, simply a figment of his imagination. He gazed at the translucent body, a body with no warmth. A clear tinge of regret flashed through his non-existent eyes as he drew in the realization as to what would come.
A few hours earlier:
A casual Sunday morning, warm rays flooded the streets embracing the metal, stone and flesh. A gentle breeze caressing all, whilst carrying an alluring and sweet taste. The undergrowth exposed from coroners of tarmac, as little fleshy creatures move from burrow to burrow.
Whilst walking on the stone pavement Shane felt at bless.
"A brilliant Sunday Morning"
He walked unhurriedly from one street to another, his cream shorts dancing in the wind adorned with a soft white cotton shirt neatly tucked into it. A clean cap blocking the bright sun rays whilst shading the dark sunglasses beneath. He felt great, especially today.
Being the start of summer and finishing his first year of University how could he not be happy. Added with that fact his birthday was around the corner gave him an extra pep in his step. As one of many young adults at a crisp 19 years of age, he fantasized about the endless possibilities for the future.
As he continued to walk along the rough pavement he very quickly arrived at his destination. A large building both tall and wide straddled his view. The tall blue logo easily allowed it to be distinguished from its surrounding. A place which provided brilliant products with cheap prices, Aldi.
Being from an average household added with Asian heritage made the deals all the more alluring. The beautiful weather and gentle atmosphere made it the perfect time to drink discounted orange juice.
You need vitamin C with the sun after all.
As he entered, he was very quickly greeted with overflowing stalls radiating a mixed hue of colours. Distinguishing his goal form the rest of the attractive products he stormed over, afraid that someone would take the sparse few boxes left. With his goal in hand, he felt relieved whilst sending side long glances in hopes that no one saw his antics. However, as he looked behind, he saw many others with silly grins plastered on their face.
"It seems deals attract the same kind of people"
He chuckled feeling welcomed surrounded by fellow deal seekers as he walked to the tills. The thoughts of enjoying a delicious drink whilst in the sun with his family made him all the happier. How was he to know this happiness was fleeting, it would only remain a figment of his memory in the not so blissful future.
This peacefully moment was violently interrupted by loud booms bellowing through the store, pushing the various stalls over and onto the unsuspecting. The earth began to split as if cleaved by a ginormous axe as lines zigzagged from end to end accompanied by uncontrolled shaking. The shaking never ended but Shane was quickly able to pull himself back to reality.
The sudden emergence of what seemed an earthquake took everyone by surprise and the juice box he held was dropped. Standing on shaking legs Shane thought about his next actions. Living in England earthquakes and such never happened. Well they did but were never really felt.
His thoughts were interrupted by a shrill scream. looking over he saw a boy crying and lost; however, this was not what attracted Shanes attention. The retaining wall behind the boy began to buckle and twist seeming in protest to continue standing. Seeing the cracked walls Shane began to act. He didn't move through feelings of heroism, nor through bravery or other such thoughts. He was not kind enough to risk himself for others. The boy simply reminded him of his own younger brother at home, they seemed of similar ages.
Pushing of the balls of his feet he rushed past the broken debris jittering of the ground, leaping over the broken stalls whilst the retaining wall emitted its final cry and arrived by the boy.
Picking him up he used all his strength with a primal roar to throw the boy out of danger. This action fuelled by pure adrenaline and his sturdy muscles allowed the boy to be carried over the stall which blocked thoughts of escape. The boy landed with a harsh thud accompanied by another cry.
The kid was probably hurt but it was better than being crushed. Shane attempted to vault the fallen stall but upon turning he saw the wall give out and fall, the fear of death rooted him for a split second a but it was enough to come under the torrent of debris, leading him to black out.
