I stood in the darkness. I was alone and I couldn’t move or call out for anyone. I tried moving several times, but to no avail. I finally gave up and tried to look around to see something or anything for that matter. I looked until my eyes fell on a shape in the center of the darkness. I knew I couldn’t call out, so I just watched as the figure came closer. I began to get scared, but something about the figure seemed familiar. It slowly came to a stop in front of me. It was then I noticed that the figure was holding a knife. I stared at the object as it glistened in the darkness. I could feel the fear slowly creeping its way back into my body. I could feel my body starting to move again, but not before pain shot through my and a scream erupted from my lips. I looked down to see the knife lodged into my abdomen. My body slowly crumpled to the ground. I looked up to see the face of my murderer. No, it couldn’t be him. “ J....” My whole body began to shake, and I could still feel the pain in my gut. “ KAT!”
I shot up in bed only to collide with my sister’s shocked face. Ow! I rubbed my forehead and noticed Casey doing the same.
“ Are you okay?” My sister sounded worried and it was only then that I noticed I was sweating. I looked down at my sheets, the events of the dream slowly coming back to me. How could he still haunt my dreams. I thought I was over this stupid shit! I looked back up to see Casey staring at me intently.
“ What time is it?” She still looked worried, but her eyes flicked over to the clock on my nightstand. I looked out the window noticing the first few rays of sun beginning to come through the closed shades.
“ It’s six o’clock.” She still sounded tired. I wanted to thank her for waking me up from the dream, but I knew that she was still tired. I could see it in her eyes that she so badly wanted to go back to bed, but she wanted me to be okay at the same time.
“ Casey. I’m fine. Why don’t you go back to bed? I’m gonna go for a run.” She nodded her head and mumbled what sounded like a thank you as she left my room. I got out of bed and pulled on my shorts, a tank top, and my nike running shoes. I walked down the stairs as quietly as I could, but when I opened the front door I heard loud thud and running from upstairs. My dog appeared at the top of the stairs. She let out a loud bark and came running down only to stop and dance at my feet.
“ Fine! Bella be quiet! I’ll take you, okay.” I whispered yelled. She finally shut up, and I hooked her to her leash. I walked out the front doors and the warm air hit my skin making the hairs on my arm raise. I had always loved warm weather, and it was now finally spring. I put in my headphones and began to run down the street. Running always helped me forget my dreams. I would run until I felt like I would die if I didn’t quit. Bella was always my running partner because she couldn’t talk. I realized I had gotten so lost in my thoughts that my legs had carried me to the pond.
I slowed to a walk and let Bella of her leash. She hated water so I didn’t have to worry about her getting wet. I sat on one of the benches and watched her chase ducks around the pond only stopping when they were smart enough to get in the water. I took off my headphones, so I could here everything around me. I just sat there and listened to my surroundings. The only thing I could here was the rustle of the leaves and the soft padding of feet. Wait. The soft padding of feet? I turned around to see a hooded figure running straight toward me. I was frozen in fear. There was something about the figure that seemed familiar.
The figure kept running until he got to the edge of the pond. I couldn’t help, but stare at the him. Something was familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Bella walked over to me and hopped up on the bench until she noticed the boy standing by the pond. She hopped down and ran over to him dancing at his feet. The boy knelt down and began to pet her on the head.
“ Bella! Time to go home.” She looked at me and walked over to me. It was then that I noticed the boy had gone completely still. He stood and put his hood back. He looked at me, and it was my turn to freeze. Those eyes. Those bright green eyes.
“ Kat?” His deep voice almost made me melt on the spot. He began to walk toward me, but I held up my hand to stop him.
“ You. No, go away.” He stopped and looked hurt. I shook my head and ran. I had to get away before I could never run again. If wasn’t careful he would be the death of me.
