GREY

• O N E •

Thump.

Thump.

Thump.

My heart was like a motor in my chest, each pulse like a spark and whir. Red fuel pulsed through the thin fibres of my body.

Whenever I ran I felt almost mechanical, forgetting about emotions and feelings. It was me, the steady beat of my heart, and the cool breath of air, fresh fragrance of nature, and soft chirps of birds. Fire spread slowly through my muscles and crept up my throat.

My arms brushed against leaves and branches as I raced through the forest, my feet feeling the uneven ground with steady balance.

I had always preferred nature. It was so organic and imperfect, much different from
the 'perfect' squares of buildings. Something about the urban playground was so manufactured.

Running had always been an escape for me. I remember when I found out my parents were dead, the first thing I did was run. I was five, didn't even have any shoes on. Cuts had patterned my small feet, scratches covered my arms, bruises on my hands where I had stumbled to the ground, grazes on my knees. But the pain was just a numb sensation behind the screaming of my lungs. It helped dull it all.

So here I was again, running.

Yes, I haven't come far. I may as well be back at five years old.

Soon the burning became too much, causing me to come to a stop, and keel over, leaning on my thighs. My muscles trembled like crazy.

Cool air entered my nostrils in a deep breath, separating out the thoughts that had jumbled and knotted up in my mind. They seemed to drift apart steadily into separate words.

Go. Home.

It was getting late, the sky turning an angry red as the sun retreated under the navy glow of night.

Diane probably wanted me home. She was my foster mother of twelve years and a dedicated worryer, my phone never failing to buzz ten or so times when I was out. I had even dedicated a specialised ring tone for her: 'Sound of Da Police.'

She was young and single, which had never really bothered me. From since I knew her she had never been one for longterm relationships. With all her heart I knew she loved me, and I held strong regard for her, she was as close a mother as she could be. Responsible, working as a journalist Diane was the most stable person I knew, even with the sulky heap that was me in her hands she still kept her job up. I was inspired.

The pocket of my jacket vibrated and the obnoxious ringtone began, muffled by fabric.
"I'll be home in less than twenty minutes," I assured her gently.

"Grey there's been a murder I want you home now."

"I'm seventeen Di, I am sure I'll be okay."

"Hmm... Just-" she clicked off. My reception had cut off again.

Be careful.

Nothing was going to happen. I had run this route hundreds upon hundreds of times, just because its dark doesn't make it anymore dangerous. Afterall, I was 17, fast and relatively aware. I wasn't short, nor was I tall, but agility was on my side.

Taking one final deep breathe, I began my pace again, slightly faster this time. I wasn't in the mood to be shouted at.

The air, sweet breaths of warm strokes pressed against my cheeks and combed my hair. The dusk caressed the sky causing an angry blush.

I ran for straight for a few more minutes, and soon the sky had fallen black. A pure orb hung in the sky, acting as the star's omniscient eye.

In Redwood Falls, night always seemed to creep up silently and pounce unexpectedly. One minute it was an orange horizon, the next complete darkness.

It was almost terrifying.

However, night never bothered me. In face, it was something I loved. To be walking under the gaze if the moon was beautiful, the way her - because the moon was obviously a her as it was so stunning - light basked and illuminated things in ways sunlight could never capture.

A sharp rustle to my left caused me to start, my focus to drop and my foot fall at an awkward angle, sparking needles of sharp
pain up my ankle. I fell to the ground, a gasp escaping from my lips. It echoed off the trees.

Another shifting sounded. A dark figure lurked behind the shrubbery.

Please dont let me die. Please dont let me die alone.

Nothing bad ever happened. This couldn't be happening. This wasn't real.

But my heart pounded. My fingers trembled. My eyes stung. My blood ran cold.

The shadows moved so fast, cutting through the air in deadly leaps and bounds. There were no mountain lions in this area, and the shadows were too large to be foxes.

I was going to die.

The moon seemed to glare, wide, as a piercing sound resounded through the night. A howl.

Racing, my heart pounded against my ribcage. My ankle burned in pain, lying flat on the ground helplessly.

I lifted myself off the grass that scratched my skin like nails. As soon as a tiny bit of pressure was applied and searing pain roared up my leg.

I stifled a cry. It was probably broken. Just my luck.

I imagined the murderer, a great hulking beast, grab me and beat me until I could no longer feel.

The shadows moved again, approaching closer. I turned and limped away, my foot propelling my body forward.

Pain, Fear, Pain, Fear.

I was sure I could hear pants behind me. My whole body burned. Fear ran ice cold through my veins.

My gaze was darkening. My skin was covered in scratches from branches and thorns.

The skin on my arms screamed suddenly. I had just ran into a bush of stinging nettles, but I couldn't stop. Footsteps were now behind me. Something was crashing through the forest behind me. Something wild and savage, with hot heavy pants.

I couldn't carry on. The adrenaline was fierce in my veins but the pain echoed dull behind it.

Rushing forward, I whipped my head back. I was right. Of course I was fxcking right. It was a shadow with flashing amber eyes.

"Aahhh," I screamed as the pain reached its penultimate peak.

I was trying but it was gaining ground on me. My feet stumbled again and again. My toes caught a root painfully and pulled me to the ground.

I was dead.

My elbows connected first sharply.

My head was next.

It hit a rock and I blacked out.