Miguels Markings

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by Jesocc

by Jesocc

"Miguel, pull over here—I need to grab some stuff for the movie!" Sam exclaimed as Miguel swerved to an awkward stop beside the gas pump. "Still terrible at parking," she chuckled, planting a quick kiss on his cheek before hopping out. "You can drive next time," he shot back playfully, a smirk lingering on his face as he stepped out to fill the gas tank. But when he gripped the nozzle, dread washed over him at the sight of a shadow looming ominously close behind; a hammer-like object gleamed in the dark. Panic overtook him, forcing him to shut his eyes tight, muttering, "Please Sam, hurry..."

Sam wearily picked up a selection of popcorn, crisps, and an assortment of colorful Pick N Mix sweets, approaching the counter with a slight smile and an excited glint in her eyes. "Just these, please," she said politely to the cashier, fully absorbed in her movie snacks, while the cashier replied in a monotone voice, "That'll be $5.60," both of them completely oblivious to the tension spiralling around them.

"I got us some snacks—popcorn, some Pick n' Mix, and—" but her voice faltered as she looked up joyfully, only to have her expression suddenly fall; her body froze, fear permeating every pore of her pale face. The bag she had been holding slipped from her fingers, landing with a thud on the still, cold floor. Time seemed to stretch as she raced to Miguel's lifeless body, a horrid certainty gnawing at her heart. Her legs buckled beneath her, and she crumpled to the ground, desperately shaking him and screaming for him to wake up—"Miguel, please!" Tears streamed down her cheeks as dark, desperate thoughts spiraled in her mind, overwhelming her: what had happened, who was responsible, and why had she entered that shop? Her trembling hands wove frantically through his hair.

About thirty seconds passed, tears gushed from her face onto his body as she lifted her head away. She reached for her phone, the unbearable truth ringing in her mind as she forced out the words, "I need help, I think—I think my boyfriend's dead," the words escaping her lips like venom.

END OF CHAPTER 1 - MIGUELS MARKINGS