The wind whistled violently in my ear as I sprinted around the track. The world was a blur of colors. My pulse edged into a faster beat as I picked up speed. My hands swung back and forth viciously as I propelled myself forward.
After a few minutes of vigorous running, I took a break and drank from my bottle.
"That was amazing!"
I jerked my head towards the sound of the voice. I was surprised to find my best friend Jason watching me from behind the bleachers. Jason and I met in second grade and grew up as best friends ever since. We knew everything about each other andwe always had each other's backs.
"You were...?" I said looking completely shocked.
"Watching you? Yes I was," Jason said. "It was an incredible show of talent."
We both gazed at each other with huge grins on our face.
"It might be good, but I don't know about amazing." I grabbed my duffel bag from the bleachers and shouldered it.
"You're way too modest Chase. Accept the compliment. That run, was the fastest run I have ever seen in my life."
"I'm pretty sure..." He shot me a look that discouraged me from arguing with him anymore. "Thanks."
"So are you up for game night this weekend?" Jason asked, "Cuz I can supply some "special" drinks."
"Wait," I said looking across the field. Carefully cloaked under a tree, at the opposite end of the field was a man dressed in a dark hoodie. He wore dark aviator glasses over his eyes.
" Who's that?" I asked, discreetly pointing in the direction of the hooded man. Jason squinted, trying to get a better look at the man.
"I don't know, I've never seen him around before."
Sensing the focus on him, the man retreated into the bushes.
"That was wierd." We both gazed curiously in the direction of where the mysterious man had been only seconds ago.
"We should probably go now," I suggested.
"Ya I agree."
My walk home wasn't long. Within ten minutes of speed walking, I had made it home. I tried the front door but it was locked, so I went around the house and tried the door. Luckily for me, it was open. I pushed open the creaking door and walked in. The house was silent except for a few creaks and squeaks.
"Mom, I'm home," I shouted, but no one answered. She must still be at work I thought. Lately, mom had taken the late shifts at the hospital. I hardly got to see her these days and even when I saw her, she was either busy or tired.
I threw my bag on the kitchen counter and rummaged through the fridge for something to eat. My eyes settled on last night's barbecue chicken leftovers. I was just reaching for it when I felt a hand firmly grab my shoulders. I jumped back completely startled, banging my head on the fridge in the process.
Fear creeped into my heart as I gazed into the eyes of the figure towering over me.
"Jeez calm down. You're way too paranoid." I glared up at my twin sister Alex. She had an amused expression in her face.
"Do you always have to do that!" I shouted, my heart palpitated against my rib cage. "When did you get back?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
"I've been here for a while now. I heard the door so I came to check it out." She pulled me up off the floor. I dusted myself off.
"Hope I didn't scare you too much?"
"No not at all, I just found what I was looking for, that's all." I said, grabbing the cold chicken from the fridge.
"Are you sure? Cuz you looked pretty frightened to me." I sensed a bit of humor in her voice.
"Nope, I'm perfectly fine." I stepped out of the kitchen and headed for my room. I heard the faint echo of giggles coming from the kitchen as I rounded the hall.
I barged into my room ruthlessly, almost knocking the door off its hinges. My room was in its usual messy state. Stray clothes, loose papers and food wrappers littered the floor. I grunted wearily as I trudged through the trash. I threw my bag on the nearest table and crashed on the bed. Weak and tired, I sprawled out on the bed. A quick nap wouldn't hurt, I thought, afterall I've earned it.
My eyelids drooped and my vision darkened. My body became weightless and I floated into unconsciousness.
