Coral Blue

Chapter 1

Coral POV

I wake from a deep sleep lost, confused, and scared. Then I remember where I am and that I am safe here. My past is something I do not bring up much due to the horrors that plague me in my dreams. I hope maybe one day I will find a person to help me carry this heavy burden, but until that day arrives, I'm on my own.

I look around at my surroundings from my bed of pine straw and thin sheets. I live in a small, cozy cottage that lies at the edge of a large forest, and right next to a small cliff. The walls are built with strong dark wood that I spent days laboring to acquire. There is a small table and chair I use when I eat my meals and a large bowl placed on a small table to hold water where I wash my hands, face, and teeth. There is a beautiful gold mirror hanging above the large bowl, that I had won and kept as a reminder of my dark past. I have one cup, one plate, one bowl, and one of each utensil. I look at the crossbow and sword sitting next to my bed and remember how much they got me through.

I know all of it doesn't seem like much, but it works for me. It is still dark outside, due to it being in the middle of the night. I always wake in the middle of the night sweating and on rare occasions screaming due to an awful dream.

I slowly rise into a sitting position, placing my head in my hands and gently running my fingers through my hair. I then light the huge candle I keep at the side of my bed. I slowly get up and stretch out all of my sore muscles. I slowly walk to my small wardrobe in the corner of my room and open the plain doors. I look into it and realize that I only have one outfit left. I quickly change into it due to the chill of the night and grab my sword and buckle it onto my waist. I then light a small candle on a holder and proceed to grab the wooden bucket outside my house. I slowly pick my way down the bumpy terrain to reach the stream. I fill the bucket all the way to the rim and carefully carry it back to my house. As I enter the house, set my candle down, and pour the water into my large bowl. I quickly wash my face with hand-made soap and dry it with a towel. I look up into the mirror and study my reflection critically.

I guess you could describe me as pretty but I have my flaws. My dark brown curly hair falls slightly longer than my shoulders and my dark blue eyes dimly glow in the candle light. There are deep bags under my eyes due to my lack of sleep and a faint scar stretching from the middle of my right cheek to the bottom of my ear. I am pretty tall, standing at the height of about 5 feet 11 inches. I am also pretty muscular for a girl due to all of the building I did for my safe haven. I slowly straighten and realize the sun is slowly rising. Knowing I have many things to do today, I proceed to walk out the door to go take care of my horse.