Growing up

I walk across the soft sand as it exfoliates from my bare feet. I watch the waves froth along the shoreline while the sun slowly dips below the horizon. I stare in awe as I spot something near me. Three red balloons matching perfectly with my red silk dress. I reach and grab onto the thin strings over me, securing them together. I feel my feet lift off of the sand floating higher and higher by the second. Looking down, the scenery seems even more beautiful than before. I soaked in those moments I had, staring down at the beauty, but it didn’t last long when the clouds obscured my view of the scenery below. While I swam among the soft white clouds, clutching onto the strings, I felt a heavy weight pull my shoulders back. Suddenly my eyes snap closed. A young girl with a bag over her shoulders. A blue checkered school dress and blue ribbon pulling back her hair into a ponytail. When my eyes fluttered open, I realised that the balloon was no longer carrying my weight, and I was freefalling through a blanket of clouds. 

Rubbing my eyes, I found myself sitting in front of a worn wooden door. Grazed knees, a ripped blue checkered dress and messy hair, with a blue ribbon loosely strung to my brunette curls. My bag pulled me down as I struggled to stand up. The clouds grumbled, so I quickly got inside to escape the rain. As I entered the house, a torn painting greeted me at the entrance. As I walked on through the corridor, a red colour painted dots on the carpet. I entered the room at the end of the hallway. 

"AAH!" I shrieked at the sight. A girl lay sprawled across the floor. I quickly noticed that she was bleeding. And still. Her eyes, wide open. 

She had the same blue dress and ribbon as I did. Looking closer, we looked a lot alike. Except she had a smile embroidered on her face. I turned around to find a mirror. 

Looking in the mirror, the only thing I saw was a frown deeply engraved on my face.