PULSE [H.S]

061

"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." — David Viscott

Girls nights are always the best.

There's just something about hanging out with females—no men around—that feels so special. We've been having a fun night so far, and Pen and Clove are definitely getting along. It's weird that we are all dating in the same friend group.

We watched 'Little Women', played some games, and drank a little wine. Clove also made cookies for us earlier, and they were amazing.

At the end of the night, we say our goodbyes and all head out into the parking lot. Clove leaves her place too, saying she's going to Louis's for the night.

I definitely had a good night, and it feels nice to actually have friends. It's something I went a lot of my life without, and now I don't know how I ever made it through those years without a support system.

"See you tomorrow, Kiz," Pen says as she hops in her car.

I wave at her, walking to my own car that's parked a little farther down. It's chilly outside now that the sun has set.

I take my key out of my pocket, accidentally dropping it on the ground outside of my car door. I curse to myself, leaning down to grab it. I stand back up, unlocking the door.

I see a reflection behind me in the window of my car, and I let out a scream, but it's cut short as I am slammed into the car, face first. My nose collided with the window, the impact making me scream in pain.

I turn around, my eyes landing on a guy that I've never seen before. I don't have time to react as he slams the end of a gun against my temple, knocking me to the ground.

I cry out, the collision making my vision blurry. All I can see as I lay on the ground are black boots right in front of me. The man puts his foot on my shoulder, shoving it so my back is flat against the ground. He keeps his foot on my chest, pinning me to the ground.

It all happened so fast.

He aims his gun down at me, and my body stills as I prepare to take my last breath. The guy stares at me, taunting me as he holds my life in his hands. I'm rendered defenseless on this side of a gun.

The guy leans down, his gun still dangling in his hand. He says, "Sorry about this, darlin'. I hate hurting a pretty face, but I need to use you to send a message. Tell H we are back."

He's not going to kill me?

"Who are you?" I say, wincing as my head throbs.

I keep my eyes open, trying to study his face. All I see is blonde hair and a spider web tattooed on his neck.

He says, "He'll know. Can't believe he went and got himself a girl." He smirks at me, stroking his finger over my cheek. I turn my head away from him. He says, "How stupid of him."

His hand wraps around my throat, applying so much force that I think my spine might snap. My hands fly to his arm, struggling to breathe as my head swells with pressure. My vision spots as I feel myself on the verge of blacking out.

He snarls, "Make sure he gets the message, or I'll just have to send him another one."

His hand releases my throat, and I gasp, rolling over to inhale as much air as I can. My lungs burn, and I cough as I struggle to control my breathing.

I watch him walk away, his boots stomping on the pavement, leaving me on the ground. I need to get up, but my head is in so much pain.

I sit up, wincing. I feel a flood of liquid pouring down my face, running over my lips, and dripping onto the ground below me. My nose is gushing blood like I've never seen it before. It coats me, and the taste of it in my mouth makes me gag.