20 Reasons to Let Go

[ Reason Ten ] - Kisses and Bruises

There are some things in life that are best left forgotten. Some things that nobody wants to go back and face again.

This was one of those things.

In that moment, Cady wanted nothing more than to completely forget that night. She wanted to forget Leyla's shrill, desperate cry as all the life left her. She wanted to forget the dead look in her eyes as she lay motionless on the concrete.

But most of all, she wanted to forget the look on Kendal's face when she realized what she had become.

Suddenly, Kendal lay a hand on her shoulder, "Are you okay?"

Cady realized that her fist was clenched tightly, and she could feel her palms sweating. "I don't know." She said truthfully.

She looked back at the man, who was now lighting a cigarette and puffing at it contentedly. Cady grimaced, horrified that such a terrible man was able to roam free.

Before she knew what she was doing, Cady stood up, her legs shaking.

"Cady?" Kendal asked from behind her.

Without a word, Cady stumbled forward, every pair of young eyes fixed on her.

As she turned the corner of the school, the track coach exited it through the back doors, knocking into her and sending her flying to the ground.

Cady felt a gash open up in her left knee as it plunged to the ground.

"Good Lord." Mr. Gatsby, the track coach muttered, kneeling down to help her up, "Are you quite alright?"

Wiping her legs free of dirt, Cady met his eyes, but did not answer.

Instead, she looked past him, towards the man that lurked not too far away. He had just put out his cigarette, and was now walking in the other direction.

Mr. Gatsby looked concerned, "Cady?" He questioned carefully, "Cady-"

Driven by something surging through her, Cady grasped a dose of bravery and shoved past him. "Kendal," She wailed, "Kendal, he's getting away!"

Kendal shot upwards and hurried over, grabbing Cady's hand.

At this point, the entire field was dreadfully silent, and each student watched nervously, unsure as to what was happening.

Without warning, Kendal jerked Cady forward. The two of them took off in the direction of the man, who was now more than a hundred feet away. Cady could feel her legs pumping faster than ever, and she clutched Kendal's hand like a lifeline.

"Girls!" Mr. Gatsby boomed, "Girls, where the hell do you think you are going?!"

"Don't stop." Kendal's voice was strained with the difficulty to breathe.

Mr. Gatsby continued to shout at them, growing more and more infuriated, and eventually called for somebody to call the police.

At that, Cady nearly stopped running.

The police? She turned to look at Kendal, who looked back at her with the same, worried expression.