Dear Blood

4장

Natty had had enough. She decided that she wasn't going to take it anymore. She was going to end them, once and for all. She wanted them dead. She wanted to stab them all in the chest repeatedly and watch as the blood and life drained from their bodies. So she started her hit list. This is where the killing spree began. First on the list was Lina. The first bitch that ever fucked with her.

(Flashback)

On Natty's very first day at her new school, she walked through the hallways nervously. She had shorter hair back then, a style she had chosen to express herself, but little did she know it would make her a target.

As she made her way to her first class, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. And sure enough, as she settled into her seat, she felt a pair of eyes boring into her back.

"Hey, look at the new girl," a voice whispered from behind her. Natty tensed, feeling a wave of unease wash over her.

Turning around, she saw Lina and her group of friends smirking at her, their eyes filled with malice. Natty's heart sank as she realized she was their target.

"What's wrong with your hair?" Lina sneered, her tone dripping with disdain. "Did you cut it yourself or did someone do it blindfolded?"

Natty's cheeks burned with embarrassment as she fidgeted in her seat, her gaze fixed on her desk.

"It looks like a rat's nest," another girl chimed in, giggling cruelly. "Did you forget to brush it this morning?"

The taunts continued throughout the day, each one more hurtful than the last. Natty tried to ignore them, but the words cut deep, chipping away at her fragile confidence.

At lunchtime, Natty found herself sitting alone, her tray of food untouched as she stared down at her lap. But she couldn't escape the feeling of being watched.

Natty's heart pounded in her chest as she braced herself for what was to come.

"What's the matter, Natty?" Lina taunted, leaning in close. "Cat got your tongue?"

Natty swallowed hard, her hands trembling as she struggled to find her voice. "Please, just leave me alone," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.

But Lina only laughed, the sound ringing in Natty's ears like a cruel mockery. "Why would we do that? It's so much fun watching you squirm."

(End of flashback)

After school one day, Natty followed Lina as she walked home.

She crept through the shadows, staying just out of sight. She watched as Lina strutted down the street, her head held high, her backpack slung over one shoulder. Natty felt her anger grow with every step Lina took. She was so consumed by her rage that she didn't even notice when Lina turned off the main road and into a dense wooded area.

Natty quickened her pace, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that this was her chance to finally put an end to Lina's bullying. She would show Lina that she wasn't someone to be messed with. She would make Lina pay for all the pain and suffering she had caused.

When Natty caught up to Lina, she didn't even hesitate. She snuck up behind her, her heart racing, her breath coming in short gasps. And then, before Lina even knew what was happening, Natty dragged her into the woods and started stabbing her over and over again.

Lina's screams echoed through the forest, but Natty didn't stop. She couldn't stop. She was consumed by a bloodlust that she had never known before. She stabbed and stabbed, her arms aching, her vision blurring. And when it was over, when Lina lay lifeless at her feet, Natty felt a strange sense of calm wash over her.

She turned and walked back home, her clothes and shoes leaving a trail of blood behind her.

When she reached her grandmother's house, Natty went straight to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Natty went to her room, where she carefully removed her clothes and put them in a plastic bag. She would dispose of them later. She then went into the bathroom, where she stood under the hot water, letting it wash away the blood and the evidence of what she had done.

__________________

Natty pushed her cart through the aisles of the grocery store, her mind preoccupied with the mundane task of shopping. She reached for a box of cereal when she heard a commotion from the next aisle over.

Turning the corner, she froze in surprise as she saw Hee-jin and Jenny standing there, their faces streaked with tears. For a moment, Natty felt a pang of sympathy, but it quickly faded as they locked eyes with her.

Their expressions twisted with rage, Hee-jin and Jenny stormed towards her, their accusatory words ringing in her ears.

"You!" Jenny spat, her voice trembling with anger. "You killed her, didn't you? Admit it!"

Before Natty could react, Hee-jin's hand lashed out, striking her across the face with a sharp slap. Pain exploded in Natty's cheek, and she tasted blood on her lips.

Natty stumbled back, her hand flying to her mouth as she felt the warm trickle of blood seeping between her fingers. But despite the pain, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Natty's hand flew to her chest, feigning shock. 'What are you talking about? I didn't kill anyone.'

Jenny stepped forward, her fists clenched at her sides. 'Liar! We know it was you. Everyone knows you're the one who did it.'

Natty smiled more, a cruel twist to her lips. 'Well, if Lina's dead, then I guess there's not much I can do about it now, is there?'

Hee-jin lunged at Natty, her fingers curled into claws. 'You bitch!'

Natty easily dodged Hee-jin's attack and stuck out her foot, tripping Jenny as she tried to follow after Hee-jin. Jenny let out a cry as she fell to the floor, her head slamming against the cold, hard tiles.

Natty sneered down at Jenny. 'You should be more careful. You wouldn't want to end up like Lina, now would you?' Natty continued down the aisle, leaving Hee-jin and Jenny sputtering with rage behind her.