Split Love

CHAPTER 41

FRIDAY, July 5, 2019

Jasmine's heart was thrashing strongly against her ribcage, she inhaled and exhaled rhythmically trying to maintain the rhythm in which her legs hit the gravel. She could feel her heart beating in her ears and hear her labored breathing.

It was just after eight-thirty in the morning when Jasmine emerged from the state park's narrow trail entrance. The sun was already shining brightly and the weak wind that circulated through the city streets did little to help. Just before entering her house street, she slowed down and started walking. She pulled one arm behind her neck and then the other, and then stopped for a minute to stretch her legs. Her hair, which was tied up in a high ponytail, was wet on the back of her neck, and her cheeks were flushed.

Maybe she was distracted or it was just her myopia, but just 4 houses away Jasmine noticed the black sports car parked at the curb in front of her house. Slowly, she moved as she tried to understand what that meant. Her subconscious had already understood but she didn't accept it.

With her hand resting on her forehead, Jamie took a good look at the tinted car, but there was no one inside. Slowly, she turned toward her house and her world narrowed to a tunnel-shaped vision that captured only the front door on the porch. It was as if time passed in slow motion as she crossed the garden. She climbed the three steps and opened the screen door before putting the key in the lock. Jamie held her breath for a moment and pushed the door open, but her feet froze on the threshold.

Despite not wanting to, she could hear them. Her stomach was sinking as she felt her insides freezing, her blood didn't seem to flow properly. But she forced herself to move into the house. Jamie didn't wanna be there but she definitely didn't want Micah alone with her grandmother.

- Hello stranger. - His voice came from the kitchen, and she froze on the spot. She didn't dare to look at him.

- Hey. - She had to force the small word that almost got stuck in her throat. Mechanically she brought her gaze to him. And there he was, sitting on one of the chairs at the dining table.

She swallowed feeling the hallway shrink. The walls seemed to squeeze her in as she took slow, heavy steps toward the kitchen. He rose from the chair before she stopped at the threshold. Micah seemed too big for the house's small kitchen. A giant, and suddenly she felt too small to have to look up to meet his cloudy eyes.

- Are you okay, Jamie? - Debra asked, making her look away and find her grandma near the sink. She had a kettle in her hands and was making tea.

- Yes. - She replied too quickly and looked back at Micah, who had his eyebrows furrowed. - I'm great.

I really wanna kill myself now.

He remained silent as his eyes darted between hers. She should say something, maybe ask if he's okay. But she couldn't. Her mind was covered in a thick fog. Did you know that your father killed my family? No, that would ruin everything.

- I didn't find you. - He said after a while.

- Where?

- On the trail...? - She didn't understand if it was a question or a statement. His eyes ran up and down her body.

- Oh. I took the long route today. - She pointed back with her thumb, even though she was no longer in the park.