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The sun hid from sight, it's final rays running from the darkness. Seeking protection else where. The moon took its centre place. Stars falling in line, like an army preparing for battle. Street lights flickered on in response to the darkness, a defensive stance from the allies. Curtains shut as if they were shields being raised to hide behind. Doors locked, like a soldier kneeling into a controlled position. Stale mate. Now to wait for the long nights to pass. Parents told their children it was only dark this long because Father Christmas had to deliver all his presents, across the world. It seemed so innocent but the reality is so much more violent. There are things that lurk in the dark, darkness has power. Everyone has a piece of it boiling inside of their body; some just don't know it.

Elizabeth walked along the curb of the pavement, bottle in hand, humming an unrecognisable tune. If a car was to pass her without its lights on, she would be invisible. Due to her leather jacket, black dress and black combat boots. Downing the remainders of the bottle, she threw it aside and walked on. Where was she walked? No one knew. All her sense had gone. Any remainder of telling the difference between what's good and what's bad; gone. The rain was light at first, but it just seemed to get heavier and heavier. The attack was coming. Elizabeth found herself approaching one of the tallest bridges in the world. She had always had a fear of heights.. No. It isn't a fear of heights, that's nonsense. It's a fear of falling. That feeling inside your body when you leave the comfort of the ground, the danger signs your brain puts up. Some people knock the signs down and push further and further. Others cower back, blame it on the height. They find it hard to admit what the fear really is. Advancing onto the bridge, right foot, left foot, right, left, right, left... Until she slipped into an almost hypnotised trance. There were no cars at this time, the bridge was closed off when night time fell. She came to a halt on the middle of the bridge. Turning ninety degrees. Facing the edge of the bridge. Forward march. Holding onto one of the supports she pulled herself up onto the ledge, the rain beating down on her. Her dark brunette hair sticking to her face. Staring out across the river she closed her eyes and let go of the support. Lifting her arms up, standing as if she were attached to a cross. "Take me to a world with happiness. A world of peace. Kindness. Eternal joy." her words pierced the darkness in angry shouts. Tears streaming down her cheeks.  

"HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP THERE!" a strangers voice yelled, startling Elizabeth. It caused her to turn swiftly, but not skilfully. She slipped, her chest hitting the ledge. Legs dangling off over the river. Letting out a piercing scream, the fear of falling kicking in. She could only just make out the silhouette of the stranger advancing, quickly. Was this person an Olympian runner? If not they should be. Hands grabbed her waist, pulling hard until she fell to the safety of the bridges path once again. The stranger knelt down beside her, "Are you .. " he stopped speaking completely, "Elizabeth.. What the hell.. " he sounded surprised, bewildered. She looked up at him, who was this strange future Olympian and how did he know her name.  

"Who are you!" she demanded. Standing up and pushing her hair back. The rain had lightened: it was defeated, for now.