For Emma

Chapter 15

The seasons have begun to change now that mid-February is slowly approaching. Rain falls all day followed by a light snow fall at night leaving an icy sheet over the streets and grass. The slow change into spring causes the air to be a bone chilling cold. My mother saunters around the house soundlessly. Not even speaking a word about why she came home beaten and bloody, or the roll of cash she held in her bruised fist. I wanted to ask but my fear of what her answer would be controlled me.

 I sit at the foot of my bed lacing my sneakers. I've been running every morning to keep from having to face her. I run for hours so I'm gone until she leaves for work then I go home and run again so I'm gone until she's asleep. I throw on my hoodie and grab my iPod. I scroll down my playlist and tap on the yellow heart. Instantly The XX starts playing on full blast.

Only five minutes after I've begun rain starts pouring down pelting my skin with an unforgiving sting. I pick up my pace, each foot guiding the other in a sort of rhythm. The music blocks out the rest of the world. Each car that past flies by in a silent blur. With each step the cold feel more welcoming. More refreshing. The rain pit- pattering against my skin, my cloths, and my hair seems to be trying to wake me up from my ever-ending slumber.

Before I can stop to catch my breath something catches between my ankles nocking me off my feet and landing me face first onto a fresh sheet of ice. I lift my head to see I've run out of town following a high way that makes a figure 8 around the town, placing Black Water in the middle.

After turning my head I see the suspect in my falling and feel a cloud of dread enveloping me. A wooden cross lies at my feet with delicate incursive writing covering it. The name in the middle reads, Samantha Fosters. I hesitantly pick it up and set it back in its original up right position. I notice blood seeping from my left ankle as I get back on my feet. Slowly I walk to the metal guard rail that had been built after Sam's accident. The cliff is steep. Probably 18 feet if not more. A river makes up the bottom. All the rain has made the river deep and the wave's loud thrashing over rocks, and into the surrounding trees.

Too many thoughts run through my mind; a rollercoaster full of loops and shaky tracks. My knees tremble as I raise my arms so they're making a strait 180 degree line. The wind and rain thrash against my body sending my hair whipping in all directions as if trying to push me back. Reverse the decision floating around in my head tempting the deepest corners of my thoughts-jump-it screams to me.

All that happened next came in a blur of short clips. Small moments connected by large gaps.

My left foot rising but my right doesn't follow instead the ice beneath my tugs me backwards.

My head hitting the ground.

My iPod flying somewhere far away.

Blackness.

 Strong arms lifting me.    

    A soothing voice repeating-it's okay, it's okay-

Sitting in a car looking out a window at a night sky.

Hot water hitting my bare skin, and someone whispering, "Stay with me, stay with me, Emily, please."

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HEY! Sorry its been so long please forgive me (Arianna). Hope you guys enjoy this chapter and sorry it's kind of a cliff hanger........ k bye