Short stories & poems

Elizabeth’s head pangs, a feeling that bangs around her brain, reverberating against the walls of her mind. She feels faint, her whole body weak and legs dragging through the dirt path. Of all times to get sick, or whatever the hell is happening to her, it had to be when she finally picked back up hiking. This experience just set her back months, maybe another couple years, hiking is clearly not working out for her.

It stopped working out for her when she watched her father fall off a cliff. Her head hurt just as much back then, but she still remembers the absolute clarity she felt as she watched him slip on a rock and tumble off the cliff side. Everything was a blur after that, apparently she sat there long enough for a search party to be called. She told them her dad fell, but they continued to look for him a week after that.

There was no body in the casket, Elizabeth didn’t go up to check, but her mom told her they couldn’t salvage him. Elizabeth imagines how hard it would be to piece him back together after a fall from that height, after she thought about it she almost puked over the floor. She spared a single thought to whatever embalmer had to try before giving up, if there even was embalmer before it was declared a lost cause.

Now she’s getting deja vu, familiar painfuls pangs banging around in her head. Her legs wobble, and she knows she should sit before she trips, but the trail she’s on is relatively flat and wide, there’s no cliffs around. She made sure of that long before she step foot in this place. Her dad would’ve took one look at her before forcibly sitting her down and taking out their baggy’s filled with nuts and fruit.

Her dad is dead though, and her head hurts just like it did then. It makes her want to cry, from emotional pain.

Elizabeth’s mom would slap her if she saw her now, reprimand her and say something along the lines of, “Stop being fucking stupid, take a break before you collapse,” then she’d gently sit her down, grumble while looking around in her bag for a snack.

It says something that Elizabeth knows both her parents would want her to take a break, drink some water and wait for the headache to pass, yet she still doesn’t stop walking.

Her mind and thoughts are a blur, and all she wants is to keep walking, to push through, to show that she’s fine, that they don’t need to stop, she can handle it she can. __ __ She almost doesn’t feel surprised when she trips over a root in the ground, tumbling to the ground and with her head blessedly clear she thinks, “Ah, this is nice,” and closes her eyes.

//

She wakes up on a bench back where the cars are parked. Someone found her and dragged her back up the trail, yet even after all that work they didn’t bring her to a hospital. Not that Elizabeth needs one, it was only a little tumble.

God, she’s a fucking idiot, her mom is right, or well, the mom in her head is right. But honestly her mom would’ve said the same thing.

Fuck this, she’ll wait another year before she goes hiking, she’ll drag her mom into it next time. Doesn’t matter if she’s busy or whatever, she needs the moral support.

Elizabeth takes the keys out from her pocket and heads to her car.

It going to be a long ride.

\

There was no traffic, which Elizabeth counts as a blessing from some higher being. To whatever it is, she’s thankful. Her day was going horrible, her first hiking trip in years, a banging headache and flashbacks to her dad’s death. The clear roads must be an apology for her misfortune, to which she gladly accepts.

Forgiveness is a different story, but for now, not having to spend hours more surrounded by slow cars is enough.

It is a little weird not seeing a single car, where she is isn’t isolated, civilization just a couple miles away. But the road doesn’t lead anywhere except a couple hiking trails, and by this time anyone who wanted to hike them would be there. That’s what Elizabeth tells herself, because clearly the world isn’t in flames so there’s no way it’s ending. She just jinxed it, she’s going to turn a corner and the sky will be red.

She’s being dramatic, she knows. It’s too quiet, except for the white noise of her own car, but even that fades into the background; not quite loud enough to keep her away from her thoughts.

Elizabeth rolls down her window, immediately cool air blasts her face, her hair covers her eyes and seems to camouflage with the trees surrounding. Elizabeth rolls up her window.

She’ll just call her mom.

Her mom doesn’t pick up.

Elizabeth turns on the radio.

It’s a unfamiliar song, as if someone is singing straight to the radio. A guitar strums and fills the car with a smoothing melody.

Elizabeth turns it off. It reminds her when her dad used to play guitar instrumentals and sing along, his hands moving as if he’s playing rock music rather then the quiet sounds that actually played.

She wishes there was traffic.

//

There’s not a lot of cars out when she gets to the closest town. There’s a couple lining the streets near houses, a couple in parking lots. But Elizabeth remembers there being more cars just hours ago. There’s no local event going on, nor is today any special occasion, by all means there should be more cars out. As Elizabeth watches and listens to the road, there’s no cars driving either. She sees no one walking or taking their dog out, it’s eerily quiet.

Is she about to be murdered?

Probably not, the people in this town are sane and healthy, except for that one guy she saw years ago who she thinks was stalking someone. He was always creepy, she hasn’t seen him for years. Then again, she hasn’t come to this town in years. Not since, well, not since her dad died.

She’s going to start crying again, and she doesn’t want to cry in public. Even if there doesn’t seem to be any public around to witness her tears.

“That’s a stupid joke Elizabeth,” she thinks to herself, “does that even make sense? No public around to see it, I think it makes sense, mom would disagree. She hates fun.”

Elizabeth shakes her head, which feels lighter then it ever has been she could _cry. _

So before she cries, she needs to get gas, her tank isn’t close to empty but it also isn’t close to full.

Her tank is half full. Kinda.

“Shut up Elizabeth,” this she says out loud, it doesn’t matter since there’s no public around to hear it, “you’re being stupid.”

She pulls up to a gas station and parks next to a pump. Just as she’s about to pay she’s sees something in her peripheral, she’s almost relieved as she turns. Finally, a human being, and now that she thinks about it, she hasn’t seen a single animal since she left the trail.

Her relief fades however when she sees who she recognizes as the creepy guy from all those years ago.

So he’s still here and not in jail. Either he hasn’t been caught or he’s just naturally creepy. Perhaps Elizabeth judged him too hard before, surely with how small the town is they would’ve realized there was a stalker? So the creepy guy is just that, a creepy guy but not a bad guy.

Is she actually about to be murdered?

No, she refuses.

Elizabeth abandons the pump and heads inside the gas station. She’ll get a couple snacks, think real hard on if she needs to use the restroom, then when she comes back out to her car the guy should be gone.

The guy may not be bad but he’s still creepy.

There’s actually a guy at the register which makes Elizabeth sigh in relief. The guy, the name tag says his name is Elijah, gives her a weary smile and glances out the window before quickly looking back at his phone, fingers typing fervently.

Elizabeth nods in solidarity, looks like she isn’t the only one who thinks the guy is creepy.

She walks over to the shelves, staring at the aisle waiting for a snack to call out to her.

Just as she narrowed it down to two different candies, the cashier, Elijah, gasps. Elizabeth looks over, because something about that gasp seemed vaguely fearful.

Elijah is staring at her with wide eyes, his mouth moving like he wants to say something but can’t quite figure out how to form sounds. Soundlessly, Elijah motions towards the door with his eyes. Elizabeth looks out the window, assuming he wants her to look out the glass since she didn’t do anything to warrant getting kicked out.

It’s the creepy guy, he’s standing by the curb looking in.

Oh god. Are they both about to get murdered?

“He’s yours? You have one?”

“What,” the question leaves her mouth immediately, have one? A stalker? Was this creepy guy her stalker all along? Are stalkers common around these parts?

“A- you know! It’s- that one has to be yours! It’s only me and you here and mine- mine…” he trails off, “it already got what it wanted.”

Elizabeth says nothing, what the hell is he talking about.

Elijah’s eyes widen, “Oh god, oh god. No. You’re-fuck! You don’t know what I’m talking about do you?”

Elizabeth nods. Elijah looks like he might cry.

“They’re supposed to be gone from here, they got what they wanted from all of us. They’re supposed to be gone.”

Elizabeth almost wants to give the guy a hug, almost, because then he starts laughing and it doesn’t sound entirely sane.

“You’re doomed. I feel so sorry for you. You aren’t from here, you already have one, that can only mean one thing,” he bangs his head on the counter and grips his hair, “it was nice seeing you, but you’ll never be seen again.”

“What?”

Elijah lifts his head slightly, angling his head toward the window, whatever he sees makes him let out a real authentic whimper. What the fuck is going on.

Elizabeth does not look out the window, she does not, “Dude, tell me what the hell is going on. _Doomed? _What the _fuck? _And what- what do mean by having one? What is this one I have?”

“They don’t have names, we can’t give them names. They don’t like being acknowledged. But if this one,” he shivers and lets out a sob, “if this one is this close and at this time of day, it doesn’t care if we see it.”

“The creepy guy? The one- I thought- hasn’t he been here? He lives here, I saw him years ago! He’s a thing what- what the hell do you mean!”

Elijah slowly lifts his head, his lips wobble into a smile, it’s crazed.

“You’ve… seen it- him… before. Years ago. But you aren’t… oh my god. It must really like you,” Elijah winces, “he must really like you,” he corrects.

The lights flicker and Elijah sobs, tears rolling down his face, he wipes them before covering his face with his hands. When he looks back up there’s still tear tracks, his eyes still red, but besides that he doesn’t look like he was just crying.

“I hope I don’t have to see you go, I would like to explain more, but I can’t when he’s so close.”

The door opens, and a chime rings out through the store.

The creepy guy looks at her, smiles, and says, “Hello Elizabeth! I’ve been wanting to talk to you!”

Behind him, Elijah’s shoulders shake with his tears.

« Why are you making that face darling ?~ You look like you saw something unnatural » he chuckled with a seductive yet charismatic look

What !? You’re telling me that this is the same Shion from the 10th grade ?! There is no way. The shion I knew was——-way more timid and sissy…

_I remember as if it was yesterday—-_
_He was known as the “crybaby” of our school. If you were to say a slight controversial comment about him, he would cry and keep malice for a week. _
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_There was a day when…_

“Wahh Wahh…snif…ugh…” 

_I leaned on his table with a questionable disposition as my eyes were directed towards the source of his cries._ 

_You may wonder what exactly was going on and it might have been something worth shedding tears for but—_

« What is it Shion ? Did you get hurt ?» said the teacher with a worried and gentle look

« Huff…snif…I mistakenly…g-got my handwriting wrong…snif..and I-it ruined everything..w-wahhh » _he cried the more with boogers descending from his nose_

_I will never forget that I left out a hiss and I usually never do that. Is it possible for a human being to cry for such a futile reason ?_

_Or another time when…_

«..And t-the prince..I-I…uhm..f-fell …hick..uh…a-wahhh…»

_We all had to present our piece of work to our class and it was his turn. He barely even finished his first sentence before he bursted into his usual whining. He was shaking like a leaf being blowed by the wind and he didn’t dare to look at the class that was before him. His face went from 25 degree celcius to a hundred, it was clear by how crimson and blistering he looked. _

_You’ve got to be kidding me… The “me” at that time despised him so much that I wouldn’t get anywhere near his district. His constant stare towards my direction was the exasperation of my day and the snare to my mood. Nevertheless I presume that what really hitted him was …_
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« Sienna !!! Shion has something to say to you !!»__
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_The whole class surrounded my table. Some were smilling like cretin, others were overexcited as thought they took drugs and there was “him” right in front of all of it not making any direct eye contact. His demeanor revealed it all, there was no need for words. I feigned ignorance to such expression wanting to shoo him away by my behavior. However, strangely enough that is, he managed to…_
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_«_U-umm… S..s-sienna—- I..know i-it sounds really random b-but…!!!» _he stuttered with his head still faced down. He appeared as if he was being cooked in a barbecue_
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_Before he could utter these words, a repulsive frown had already popped out on my face. If I could use telepathy at that moment to speak to him, I would say “Please shut up and don’t even think about finishing your phrase” _
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« I.. I r-really r-really like you !! Ple-ease.. I want us to be m-more than friends !! C-consider going o-out with me ! »_ he bellowed everything out. _
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_He was proper shivering and one could tell that he could faint from any moment from now._
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_How irritated was I, his confession was like an insult slapping me on the face. I’d wish that I hadn’t open my mouth and just kept silent. _
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_« _I’m totally grossed out. First do you have to scream out for the whole world to hear this ? This is embarrassing you know. Also since when are we friends ? Or is it because I helped you out just once in the past ? It would have been better if you just kept it for yourself. »
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_Yep I know, that was harsh but i didn’t stop there. _
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_« _Go and look at yourself. I’m not into guys who cry and cause drama for no valid reason_. »_
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_That was the last day I saw him. I can’t exactly recall what his physical response was when I answered him that way. The only thing I knew was that he was no longer present at school. Rumors stated that he dropped out, others said he changed school and whatnot. _
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_————_
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_But to think that he would be my date after 5 years. And this isn’t even what baffles me the most. _
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_« _The world is such a small place, don’t you think so ?_» he muttered in a deep but slow-paced voice, looking straight into my eyes. _
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_He had a well ironed inky suit, his cologne was giving Dior, his dark shoes were neat. He definitely grew more taller and his facial features had matured. It was clear that he gave himself to working out too as his shoulder were wider and his chest broader. His hair were slighty lustrous and ruffled further emphasizing his attributes. It was almost the definition of a manwha male lead straight up coming out of a game._
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_Also his way of speaking had definitely altered. Pretty eloquent and his voice was like an agreable hymn to my ears. No more stuttering and no more awkwardness in the air. _
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_I almost went speechless there. You know, that feeling, when it looks to flabbergast to be real_
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_« _I don’t think it’s a coincidence we met again. Perhaps fate wants to prove me that people can change …for the best.._» I glanced over at him, observing how he would react. _
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_He left a gentle smile with his head slighty lowered looking into the drink we ordered. _
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_« _I’m sure you still remember. I don’t feel guilty but I still want to apologize for my immature words back then._» I stated wanting to peace out the mood_
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_« No, I’m thankful for it. You were the only person who directly told me. Thanks to that, I was able to open my eyes and face reality» _
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_He leaned on the table and his eyes couldn’t detach from mine. He took a sip and he continued:_
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_« Aren’t you curious to know why I also liked you back then ?…» _
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_My intrestedness took over my seriousness and I had to know.. _
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_« Why ?» I responded with anticipation as I reciprocated the firm eye contact_
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_He paused a few seconds before saying:_
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_« Remember when you helped me to find my house keys ? »_
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_The memories started flooding as I slighty nodded _
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_« Yea, I remember. You told me that you left them on your desk and you couldn’t find them anywhere »_
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_« That’s right, when you finally found them inside my coat’s pockets and you shooked your head” he pursued his lip almost as if he was holding himself from laughing. _
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_I couldn’t help it but allow a smile to escape, from the verge of turning into a grin _
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_«Pfft, at that moment I just placed the keys on your desk and I left without even saying a word to you haha» _
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_« Your facial expression was just too adorable too. It’s like you didn’t even want to react at all but your eyebrows and your lips failed you ~» _
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_The atmosphere was filled with a small laughter between us. After a while, he got a serious and bold look. _
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_« _After that day, i couldn’t stop thinking about you. You were not the first person that helped me out but for some reason you were so enticing in my eyes. Even I, don’t know the exact reason but this is it. _» he made sure to say every single words clearly_
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_There was a thick silence and we just stared at each other. Hmm, what is the point of him telling me that ?..He is trying to make a point ?_
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_« _Don’t…tell me that you still like me ? _» I questioned him. _
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_For some reason, my heart rate was throbbing. Was it because of the suspense ? _
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_His eyes had that kind of affectionate gaze to it as he replied: _
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_«Can I be honest ?» _
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_Of course I want you to be honest, I want him to answer now. _
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_My body language gave it all off as my body was leaning towards him. _
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_«Yes»_
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_He didn’t say anything for a few seconds_
_He placed his face on his open-palmed hand and he navigated his other hand towards a strand of my hair. Once he got a hold of it, he twirled it around his finger. I never knew it was possible for twinkles to appear in someone’s eyes before. His smile was just too dazzling that I thought I lost my sight for a second. I need eyeglasses to protect my eyes !_
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_« It’s crazy but you’re the only woman who still occupies my thoughts from this day…_
_Does that answer your question ?»_
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_Any woman who heard such confession would probably blush or wouldn’t know how to react in this situation but—-_
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_Something was wrong. The coincidence of this date. and the confession itself. It was way too bizarre to be genuine. _
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_«Really ? -» I replied examining his aura with careful consideration. _
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_«Hmm-hmm How can I forget the woman who broke my heart and made me a laughing stock ? » he spoke up with a bitter tone_
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_His expression went from a sunshine to something unbelievable. He let go of my hair strands and passes his hand through his hair with a resentfull smirk. _
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_They really say “Appearances are deceptive”. My neurons were screaming at me to leave this so-called “date". However they didn’t warn me ealier which was the mistake. _
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_I perceived another presence behind me, a threatening one. Before I could turn and react. A thick tissue with a white powder envelopped my mouth. The last memory I saw was the cold glare from Shion looking down at me. How did this date take such a bad turn ?…_
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_To be continued…_
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A shivering and trembling sound came from the rattling bush. Alaya knew that if she couldn’t get a grip on her breathing she would have to relocate spots. But she knew there wasn’t enough time. Alaya was kidnapped a few weeks ago by an unknown figure. They always wore a black ski mask that had almost reindeer-like gold antlers on the sides of its head. Its voice sounded like they were using some type of voice desguisor to mask their true identity and sex. All I knew about this lunatic was that it loved to play games. Real life hunting games to be exact. Earlier this morning I was roughly awoken from the barn I had been staying in. The hunter ungagged me and gave me a piece of toast and a hard-boiled egg. “Eat up honey, you’re gonna need the energy today”. I swear I had never inhaled food so fast. My stomach trembled with hunger and satisfaction. The hunter then dragged me onto a vast field. In every direction I turned in the field went on for miles it seemed like. An infinite playing field. The hunter told me I had 200 seconds to hide. That we were going to be playing one of its favorite childhood games. Hide and Beat. “Hide and what?” I repeated back to the hunter. “You heard me the first time!” I swallowed and gulped my spit. Truly internalizing and understanding what exactly was about to happen. Two simple rules to the game. One, run and hide. Two, if found you are to be beat. As the hunter shot the gun into the air I ran as fast as I possible could muster. Tripping a bit over my feet at first, since I hadn’t ran in weeks. The last time was on my usual trail I would run on in the morning. The place where the hunter took me from at near dawn. As I entered the forest I hurdled over broken branches and tree bark. My eyes searching for a place to hide. I saw a massive bushy bush that I then dove into. If I sunk down deep into it I could mask myself with the branches and dirt. Attempting to blend into the ground. I heard the hunter blare on the microphone 30 seconds remaining. My heart began pounding and my hands would not stop shaking. I shoved my hands under the pockets of my jeans trying to force them to stop. It only resulted in my entire body trembling. The bush was so conspicuous. I knew I didn’t have enough time to find a new spot. “Your time is up. Better run!” I heard the hunter say.

Jonah

“Show me who you are,” I demand, pointing my gun directly at his covered forehead. “Remove the mask. Take it all off.”

A low, husky laugh escapes his lips. “Even my uniform?”

My body shudders as a wave of heat causes my stomach to churn.

“Do you want to die?” I ask, clicking the gun.

For a moment, he doesn’t say anything. Then, slowly, he lowers himself onto his knees with his hands in the air, arms bent at the elbows.

“Not necessarily, but I will have you know, I do look good naked, too.” he tells me, and I can hear the grin in his voice.

My voice shakes lightly as I threaten, “Take the fucking mask off, or I will shoot you.”

His shoulders sag as an audible sigh sounds from him. Moving his hands to beneath his chin, he unclasps the helmet.

He takes it off, tossing it to his side without care. After that, he slides his eye protection up and off of his head, revealing a pair of cold, blue-gray eyes.

Blinking, he flutters his blond lashes, and I repress the urge to shiver again.

They are unsettling, to say the least.

I swallow thickly, thankful for the head gear still hiding my face.

The sound of them hitting the floor echoes in the room, dragging me out of my panicked thoughts.

“Are you enjoying this?” he questions.

I furrow my eyebrows. “Excuse me?”

Without saying anything further, he pulls the black balaclava down, leaving the fabric bunching together around his neck.

He shakes his head and runs a hand through his sweaty, messy, dark-blond hair. It remains dishelved even after his attempt to tame it.

Thin but full, straight eyebrows, highly defined cheekbones, and fair skin with pink undertones. I cannot deny that he is handsome.

There are a few faint freckles scattered along his nose. Shaped in a cupids bow are his lips. Dull pink but reddened where he bites them.

He has prominent eyebags, which add to the uneasy feeling his dark demanor brings to me.

Standing up, he decides to close the gap between us. The end of the gun presses into his chest.

“I asked if you were enjoying this.” he repeats himself from a minute earlier. “And you didn’t give me an answer.”

The corner of his lips tick upwards into a small grin, and I don’t realize he managed to retrieve a handgun from the strap-on on the side of his uniform.

Tilting my head upwards with the chilling metal, he makes me look him directly in the eyes.

Fully smirking now, he replaces the gun with his hand as he is now angling it at my head.

My heart races in my chest, anxiety beginning to cloud my thoughts.

“I’ve showed you me,” he states, staring down at me with an uncomfortable amount of intensity and obvious amusement. “Which means it is your turn. I want to see you again, Jonah.”

My body goes limp.

How does he know my name?

And what does he mean by ‘again?’

Another hollow laugh comes from his mouth.

“Do you want to die?”

Jonah

“I will kill you,” I warn him, my breathing uneven as I press my left forearm against his chest, holding him in place with his back to the wall.

Huffing out a breath of air, he suggests, “Do it,” his tone genuine and his voice gruff.

Forcefully, he takes my wrist and brings the edge of the blade closer to his skin, hovering it near a bold scar.

“Make me bleed.”

I sat in the living room window watching my parents pile camping gear into the car. Tents, fishing poles, some ugly green tackle box, lanterns, you name it. I’m not sure how many cans of bug spray we really needed but my mother had decided 6 was an appropriate number. My father has more preoccupatied with cooking essentials and hitting the road soon. I’m not sure what urgent plans awaited us in the woods.

The over preparation was probably a product of the fact that we were indeed not an outdoorsy family. But something had changed. Some sort of fever seeped into my parents minds that elicited a newfound interest in exploring the beauty of nature. Perhaps my perpetually tightly-wound parents could find some peace in the stillness of the woods. And naturally, I would be forced to endure whatever new ventures they concocted. But this one felt different…

My hands were idly playing with the pocketknife I’d sharpened in anticipation for this trip. my mother and father insisted upon extensive packing list for each of us. I took it upon myself to bring a few unapproved additional items. A backup hunting knife was concealed and sheathed carefully into my pristine, hiking boots. I had some provisions tucked away in my new insulated jacket that I just taken the tags off of. In the other pockets, I’d manage to tuck away: a flashlight a hastily printed out map matches a compass and some basic first aid items.

All of these items were acquired carefully and quietly.

I heard the muted thud of the trunk closing. My mother‘s voice was urging me to “get a move on” and get in the car. And with that, I flicked away the blade and joined my mother and father on a trip into the unknown.

The drive was well underway. My parents were in the front holding hands and giggling and laughing and singing, along to an old station. I noticed a worn red tackle box tucked neatly away under the passenger seat. I found that strange considering the one my father just bought was a nauseating lime green.

Well, they were distracted upfront belting their tunes, I used my foot to lightly coax the box from under the seat. As the roads grew more bumpy, I was able to pop it open unnoticed on a particularly steep hump. A revolver sat there neatly lodged with unopened ammo.

Neither one of them claimed to own a gun. In fact they had been quite adamant that they were anti-gun as they were unsafe and didn’t want any in the house with a growing teenager, myself.

Suddenly their front seat harmonies were uneven and clashing. Which one of them was the liar?

What was really going to happen on this venture into the woods?

The family outing means is doing things together like go to the movie go shopping go to the movie theater golfing play cards And go out for dinner or lunch when you have a family you really love There is sisters, parents and friends also aunt and uncles and grandparents have them in your heart you can love them a lot and kindness passion and respectfully and have courage and grateful

As I slide the bag across the table, the hooded figure’s lips form a snarl.

“Where the hell did you get this?” They asked, rage boiling over.

I prop my legs up on the table, interlocking my fingers. “I believe I should be asking you the questions here, pal.”

Their eyes widened at the coldness in voice, then their gaze turns to realization. I had caught them red-handed. I throw a few pieces of paper on the table, along with some pictures.

“Does this man look familiar?” I ask harshly, pointing a finger at one of the pictures. The man’s name was David Woods, his hair unkempt and dirty, just like his face… and his backstory.

The figure it front of me opens his mouth to speak, but then closes it as no words come out.

I clear my throat. “So, David,” I continue, a smirk forming on my face as I figured out the person in front of me was the criminal in the pictures, “What did you do to Amelia? You cannot lie! We’ve got you cornered!”

He throws his hands in the air in defense, “Nothing! We have past relations, sure, but I didn’t lay a finger on her!”

I grimace as I realize what I had to do. I put the gloves I had on a few moments ago back on and unzip the bag I had slid across the table. Inside, was the remains of Amelia, I throw a lab result paper at him. It was a fingerprint scan, and his fingerprints matched exactly to the ones on the bag.

“You’re sick,” I mutter, shaking my head in disgust. A stupid and lying criminal? How absurd can someone be?

                                           ***

Finally, after months of hard labor, my work on this case had come to an end. I watch on the TV as David Woods gets charged with life in prison with no parole for the unspeakable things he did to Amelia. People can say fingerprints are insipid all they want, but as a detective, they can make or break a case. In David’s instance? They had made sure he’d never see the sun again.

Case closed.

Carefully packing her bag, Lola went over her list of items in her head. ‘Extra clothes, sleeping bag, knife, bleach, water jug, extra food, rope, shovel, phone charger..’

“Whered I put my charger..” Lola thought aloud. She placed her drawstring bag on her bed and searched her room. She checked her mahogany nightstand drawers that sat next to her pink flowery bed. She usually kept it on the nightstand but occasionally it fell into her the void that was her junk drawer.

She pushed the random trinks around, feeling for the familiar rectangular shape and long slim cord. Nothing. She huffed in annoyance.

“Lolaaaa” she heard a voice call from downstairs “Do you have everything packed..”

Lola froze. Her pace quickened as she thought of a response.

“Y-Yes mother! Ill be right down!” She responded her voice shakey as she rushed to find her charger. She bent down to look under her bed when she heard her moms footsteps coming up the stairs.

Her hands now shaking she reached deep under her bed. Nothing again. The doorknob of her room rattled and shook. She gasped and shoved her small frame under her bed and covered her mouth.

The door opened slowly and she saw her mothers pale sickly feet standing at the door way.

“Lolaaaaa…looking for this…?” Her mother hissed. Lola could only guess she was holding her phone charger.

“You knoe youre not supposed to bring electronics on our trips.” Her mother said confirming her suspicions. Her mother moved into her room slowly, like she was ghost relearning to walk.

Lola could hear her heartbeat in her ears and felt her skin grow hot from panic. Her mother stepped right up to the bed and Lola’s eyes grew wide from the closeness.

“And I see you were bringing more restricted items on our family trip…” her mom chided as she threw the water jug and snacks onto the ground dangerously close to Lolas face.

“Wouldnt want you to end up like your brothers hm..? You know what happened when they brought such useless things with them.”

Such memeory made Lola shut her eyes tightly as they brimmed with tears. She clenched her jaw hoping she would leave.

“I know your down there..”

Lola’s heart jumped.

“Come out and lets have some mother daughter time..together”

“…yes mother..”

« I promise you with the whole of my heart that I’ll never ever leave and will love you forever. I’ll promise this with my life. »

That’s what you told me with full assurance and alacrity two months ago. My body resonated with each words as my mind was floating in a basin of ecstasy. You are the panacea for the issues of life, my source of pure bliss and a field of euphoria that is unquenchable.

                                     But—-

« Anna…? What’s wrong ? » he asked

Why is your contenance and the vibration of your spirit playing a different instrument than the usual “you”.

« No, I should be the one asking you. What’s wrong ? » I replied with an undertone of meticulousness as I was looking deep into his brownish eyes that seemed to be betraying him.

« I don’t get what you mean ? Nothing is wrong. » he replied confused

How strange, everything is portrayed as though nothing has been moved from the jigsaw puzzle. The physical facade is the same. The climate is the same. Your smile is the same…

«Anna … you’re scaring me—-Did something happen ?» he expressed with a worried and perplexed look

Yes, this is just my imagination. Just my imagination…right ?

« My mistake, I’m just overthinking. Don’t mind me» I continued « By the way, Glenn is still green» I muttered with a smile as my side dimples were popping out.

I stroke his head with tenderness. I shifted my body to start out my usual duties. At this point in time…

You chuckled and you said—-

« Haha… Glenn is green ? Where did you get that expression from ?-»

«…..»

My whole system froze. My expression was left intact yet shivers were screaming out in groaning as they were ascending and descending. It happened again, you were producing a different tune. However this time, you were indirectly throwing at me confirmation of the signals that happened to be whispering at me. The treeshold of these indicators are building up nevertheless I want them to break free.

« Hugo, I want you to call me by my favourite nickname. Remember when we were spending time on our third date. ~ »

I have now entered into a physiological play determined to find the anomaly on the jigsaw and you, Hugo, need to partake on it. Cues are my advantages and time my disadvantages.

« Your favourite nickname ? Hmm …wait..let me try to remember..» he pondered with an innocent demeanor

Surely, This is the ideal moment to open up the curtains.

I stare deeply into his eyes, even my breathing was following the tempo of my natural instincts. Not wanting to adventure into the unknown but I had to decode a mystery.

« Oh ! Isn’t it My Little Legend !?~ I remember, you couldn’t get enough of that nickname~» wow, such an expressive and genuine laughter

Bravo….If I could clap, I would clap. He remembers, it’s him. The tune returned back to his normal format but not the instrument.

I caught it—- Finally—-

…. .. .

If eyes could commit trahison then it would be better for them to be plucked out. I can see them vibrating. That’s not the main thing that fooled you. The moment you entered in, I knew something, your aura perhaps, that had being modified. You lost and I won. It’s too early to declare triumph yet. Now that I’ve found the bad piece of the puzzle…

« I don’t know how you got that nickname, but Hogo stopped using it after our second date. » I uttered in a slow yet slighty shaky voice

I continued despite the thick and soundless atmosphere forming..

« Who are you ? »

———-END