Long blades of grass tickle my legs as the warm, humid air adheres to my face.

I feel very excited, as I know Kai will have a hard time finding me. I had left him last behind the tree house counting,

_One_

_Two_

_Three_

_…_

_Here I come!_

__

I had scurried away off to the hiding spot I had scoped out hours before. Now I lie next to the muggy creek, In between two large boulders. I pick at the lush green moss in wait of Kai to come and find me.

Just then, I hear footsteps upon the dead leaves.

They are too big. Too loud. Too slow. Too shuffle-y.

Childish curiosity drives me to poke my head out of my hideout and look to the direction of the noise.

A figure dressed in black, far too broad to be Kai, is but 15 feet away from me.

In an attempt to tuck myself back into the rocks, I fall onto the crunchy leaves, giving away my presence.

The figure’s head snaps toward me. Heinous laughter bubbles up from his throat.

“Oh, you thought that you could hide? Well I found you. I’ll always find you. And your friend gave you away. How sad.”

“Kai?” I say, mu body shaking with sobs and fear.

“He’s taken care of now.”

This sends a new wave of shivers down my spine. As the man moves closer, thick red blood drips off his gloves, hitting the ground with little droplets.

“Now, I don’t want to make this harder than it has to be, aight? Just behave, it’ll be over soon.”

At this, I take off running, my feet moving faster than I ever knew they could possibly go. I slide into the path of a thick root, tripping me dramatically.

A tough, calloused hand grabs my arm.

“Now just hold still.”

Fresh waves of tears prick my eyes as I realize how helpless I am right now.

It’s quick against my throat.

Red.

—-please comment if you can—-