Will I Die

Just like an everyday ritual, today also I was sitting on the shore gazing at the light blue sky as the sun wake from his sleep.
‘’ Out running karma
That boy he’s such a
Charmer
All the……’’
‘’ Good morning, Janie! Accompanying the shore again?’’ a voice squealed jumping on to me from the back. I glanced at the face that was beaming down at me.
‘’ Good morning, Stefan’’
‘’ Seems like a storm is gonna hit the shore today’’ Stefan dropped on the sand next to me bumping into my shoulder.
‘’ I like storms’’
‘’Hmm?’’ from the corner of my eye, I saw Stefan peek at me.
‘’They let me know that even the sky screams sometimes’’
I caught a glimpse of him glancing down and heard his heavy sigh. Then, he smiled and put his arm around me. Human body is warm.
‘’Come on! What do you say, let’s take a walk in the forest; in your favourite path?’’
Without any further words, he stood up and held his hand for me. I looked at him silently, took his hand and stood up patting sand off my trousers. On the way to the forest, Stefan brought a basket from his home to collect berries. My favourite path did not take us too deep in the forest, but either way the spot was colourful. Ground covered with colourful grass, bushes carrying berries and trees full of greenery and fruits. I love the forest. Stefan started plucking berries while tattering random tittle tattle.
‘’ Hey why don’t you spend the night at our home today? Mum is gonna make her famous berry pudding today.’’
I smiled. He was stupid and reckless but on top of everything he was kind, caring, helpful and cheerful. In the interest of that, I always looked up on him and followed him with great enthusiasm.
‘’ I don’t know Stef… I’m not sure whether you will collect enough berries’’
‘’ Why?’’ Stefan looked at me with wide eyes in surprise.
‘’ Well, you kinda collect berries into your stomach……’’
‘’ Hey! You on my side or what?’’ He started messing my hair in half angrily and half laughing. I giggled and pushed him away. While listening to his nonstop talking I noticed a grave in the far distance under a tree.
A grave? With curiosity overflowing like flood, I walked towards the grave to scan it. But the nearer and nearer I walked, farther and farther away it seemed. However, after strolling around half a mile into the heart of the forest, I noticed that it was just a stone in the shape of a grave. I stopped in front of the stone and stared at it for a moment.
‘’ Life is pleasant; but death is peaceful huh?’’
As I was gazing at the stone, I felt something drop on my cheek and roll down. Gross, I shuddered wiping away the thick sticky liquid that had a strong iron smell off my face.
‘’ What on the earth...??’’ I flinched as I glance at my hand agape. Then, in a split second, I looked up.
‘’ Oh Jesus Christ’’
As my whole body started trembling like a leaf, I felt my knees clash with each other. Overwhelmed with fear, I fell on my knees horrified and helpless. I wanted to scream my lungs out; but my voice wouldn’t come out as it’s hiding in fear. My throat felt dry and whole body felt extra heavy.
Hanging on the branch of the tree was a fresh corpse of a young girl. There was a huge hall in her belly and her intestine was hanging out from it swinging in air like a swing. Half of her head was chewed off and her head was tilting to one side with her eyes wide open; filled with shock and pain. Her whole body was soaked in blood.
‘’ Janie?’’
I turned back in terror. Stefan was standing on the narrow foot path staring at me with his head tilted to one side in surprise. Warm tears started rolling down my cheek drop by drop in a racing speed.
‘’S- Stef….’’
He glanced up at where I was looking and then back at me. Then, he smiled at me innocently but full of warmth. How is he so calm? I didn’t care. I didn’t want to know. I gave my legs the last boost of energy left within me; without delaying for a minute, I ran to him and hugged him just like a horrified little kid clinging to her mum wailing loudly. He sighed and wrapped his arms around me in a warm hug. My heart was racing petrified from the scenario. But his heart was calm and peaceful unflustered by what he saw. I listened; I listened hardly and eagerly to the sound of his heart as he held me. Eventually, I started calming down step by step. Stefan patiently waited until I calm down and then, I heard him whisper in my ear.
‘’When I let go, run for your life’’