My heart was pleading to get out of my chest before I could harm it anymore. It thumped and thumped, threatening to break out of my ribcage. Soon I would have a big gaping hole in my chest because it had run away from the torture I had inflicted on it. I'd been running for miles, I'd pushed my body to the limit. Yet I was no closer to civilisation; nobody would ever hear my screams tonight.
Maybe they would find my body; maybe they would identify the murder weapon and find who did this. But these were desperate hopes; I knew that I wouldn't get out of here alive. I looked after sprinting into another dead end. It was so dark I could be an inch from my pursuer's hands and I wouldn't have a clue. Sudden noise from above me and a scream filled the night. Twigs snapping on the forest floor quickened and grew louder. Damn, the scream had escaped from my lips and he had heard me. Well, my life had been shortened by ten minutes because of my mistake, probably my last mistake. My last anything. I shudder, from both the cold crisp air and the thought of his hands surrounding my slight, emaciated neck.
Stumbling forward again, although I know I won't make it, a last murmur of hope left. There's a tiny whisper in the back of my mind.
Don't go forward through the trees, anywhere but forward.
And go back in my killer-to-be's arms? No thank you, I pushed through the trees. Their thorny branches clinging onto my clothes, twisting through my hair like a lover's fingers. My murderer's fingers. As blood flows from a deep scratch across my cheek, my tears mix freely with it, stinging my face.
Breaking free, a fall into what feels like nothingness, until I feel blades of grass irritate my face. Raising my head from my earthly pillow, a see a clear sky filled with stars and a big china plate in the sky. I never thought I would ever see something so beautiful before I became lost to this world. I hadn't seen a night sky since I had entered the thick forest, hoping to escape from...no I wouldn't let myself think of that. Oh! I was suddenly filled with a blind optimism just from looking at those tiny diamonds in the sky. I could leave here alive!
My temporary relief is shattered by the sound of heavy breathing behind me. I turn, rediscovering my nightmares as they slap me across my already bloody cheek. He's there, so close I could almost touch him, if I weren't afraid of the things he could do to me. I whimper, and shame washes over me, I promised myself I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
A smirk replaces his severe expression, something familiar and unknown in all ways. Shaking, I rise to my feet, fear threatening to overflow from me.
I told you.
I raise my eyebrows; the voice in my head is so clear and almost...smug. It was my voice, but a tone I had never used. He giggles, pulling a gun out from his jacket pocket. I sigh, anger replacing my fear of him. Why was he doing this to me?
"You know that answer." His deep voice growled. I hadn't realised I had spoken aloud.
"Goodbye."
Goodbye.
Pain erupts from my chest, something I had never experienced before. My vision when a startling colour of red and I felt like my chest would explode. The pain of running was nothing compared to this. I crumpled over myself, falling to the floor. My limbs creaked in protest, but I no longer cared. As long as this pain stopped. I would do anything if this increasing pain stopped. Slowly I went numb, my vision cleared and I saw boots walk towards me. My last thought: would he ever regret it?
Everything went black.
YOU ARE READING
My Murder
Mystery / ThrillerThe last moments of a young women's life as she races away from the clutches of her past lover, and murderer-to-be. Short extract of a future project of mine.