The Weight Rumours Hold

Chapter 7: Internal War

(Flashback: two years ago so she's 15 in school)

I hurriedly walked home taking giant steps at a time. Through the dense shadows of the dark winter days, the pale crescent moon shone bright as if guiding the way home.

The wind whistled and an eerie atmosphere creeped around me. I turned to look behind me and saw a glimpse of a tall shadowed figure. His steps were strong and fast as if he was trying to keep up with me.
My hands began to tremble in fear.
I paced fast and so did he, I then crossed the road and walked even faster to be safe.
A few minutes later I looked back and to my relief there was no one behind. I stopped near a tree to catch my breath while accidentally stepping into a small puddle and looked at the dark, twisted and tangled branches.

"Calm down it's okay, nearly home" I said aloud trying to comfort myself and my shaky hands.

"No one is following you"

A second later a quiet footstep sound caught my ears, louder then the sound of the cool breeze and fluttering leaves. I stiffened and looked opposite the road.
There he was... standing tall in a black hoodie. The broken street light shone on his face leaving me to see a glimpse of honey brown eyes. Why were they so mesmerisingly familiar?

Panic overtook me, was he really following me? why do I see him all the time wearing the same set of clothes, dark, cryptic and mysterious.

I decided to test my doubts and ran to see if the shadow would follow. To my surprise I was correct. Instead of light footsteps behind me they became heavy thudding noises. My heart began to race. I tried to scream but it felt like I was being suffocated internally, my voice dried up. His steady pace bought him right behind me and he grabbed my arm in a rough swift motion.
My tears began to flow in desperation making my vision blur.

"L-let go of me" I stuttered with my last bit of strength, only to make it worse, his grip tightened. I twisted and yanked my arm from his grasp but nothing seemed to work. The adrenaline rush formed inside me giving me one last push. I tiptoed while grabbing his hood with shaky hands trying to see the face with my free hand.

A second later the loud roar of a motorbike caught both our attention. It came at full speed towards me, I couldn't help but cover my eyes as the bright headlights blinded me and extreme fear overtook me. I wanted to scream but suddenly it took a sharp U-turn right before me and splashed the muddy brown puddle water straight into the hooded figures eyes.
He yelled at the sudden splash down while rubbing his honey brown eyes and I took the opportunity to run. My cheeks turned pink with heat but I didn't dare to look back until I got home. I ran to my room engulfed by its comfort and slumped onto my bed.

What just happened?
Who were they?
Did I just get rescued?

A load of questions swirled in my head but I decided to just be brave and let it go.

(End of flashback)

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(Back to present day)

"Hey...hey!!!.. Han...Haniya. Wake up are you okay?"

"Hm...Safiya? Is that you?"

I slowly opened my eyes, but a paining sensation filled my head making me groan. I could feel someone there holding my hand but what was she saying. Where am I? I suddenly sat up frightening Safiya.