SUBJECT 05

Prologue

The air is cold against my bare skin, my skin burns against the wind that whips and lashes at my hair, but I don't dare stop. They would catch me if I did. My bare feet slap against the freezing cold ground, they ache and protest from the pain but I storm forwards. My heart and lungs feel as if they are on fire from the lack of oxygen. The darkness is like an envelope around me, I can't see my hands in front of my face. I can't let them catch me. I can't go back. I can't stop running.

Up ahead I hear the sound of cars honking and engines rumbling on a nearby highway. I storm forward, adrenaline rushing through my veins. My breathing is heavy and hoarse as I sprint at full speed towards civilisation. I ignore my legs aching in disapproval for running for so long, I can't stop now I'm nearly there.

Beams of light stream through the trees behind me. I can hear their heavy footsteps and distant yelling charging forwards behind me, getting closer and closer. Loud barking of dogs echo through the trees making my breath hitch in my throat. They have my scent. They can't catch me! I can't go back! I take a deep breath, trying to fill my lungs. I focus on my legs, the muscles stretching and pulling with each step. My brain crackles with static, my ears popping as a sudden burst of adrenaline flows through my veins, my legs and arms pumping overtime.

I veer to the right towards the distant honking. I'm so close. I listen to the heavy footsteps fade into the background until they are distant thuds behind me. I can't stop, the dogs would still have my scent. If I stop now they'd be on me in a matter of seconds.

I storm forwards through ghostly trees. Branches whip my arms and legs, leaving scratches on my skin. I can feel warm liquid flowing from a the deep cut on my thigh, I ignore it and continue to sprint forwards towards the road.

I jump out of the tree line and land smack bang in the middle of the road. A car screeches to a stop next to me, it's bonnet inches away from nearly running me over. I ignore the blaring horns of the cars around me. The man behind the wheel of the car swings his door open and steps out. His face glares at me with a scowl, his lips move but I can't hear him over the static in my ears.

I turn to the right and continue to run down the road towards a bridge. With the last bit of energy I have left in me I sprint forwards towards the ledge. I don't want my life to flash before my eyes I just want it to end.

I leap over the cold railing that separates the road. I drag myself to the side of the bridge and peer over. The water below is like black oil, that licks the sides of sharp rocks. I picture my body disappearing into the cold darkness bellow.

I glance behind me at where I came out of the tree line. I can just see dark figures beginning to appear from within the shadows. I can hear the dogs barking, their growls getting caught and whipped up in the wind. I can feel their eyes burning holes into my side. They won't follow me into public. To many eyes.

I turn back to the water, my hair whipping around my face. I swing my legs over the railing and hold the cold metal so tight my knuckles turn white. I stare down at the darkness below. My heart hammering against my rib cage, my hands are sweating even though the night air is freezing cold against my skin. Warm tear stream down my cheeks.

Horns honk loudly behind me. People yell from their windows for me to 'stop' and 'don't do it'. I ignore their pleas, they don't know. Tears sting my eyes as they continue to stream down my cold cheeks. I look up at the stars, they twinkle and wink down at me. I wonder who else is looking up at the stars as well.

A hand grabs my wrist and begins to pull me over the railing.
"No! Let me go!" I croak a scream and struggle against the large body. In the struggle I somehow loose my footing and I realise I'm dangling over the edge. Whoever grabbed me manages to grab my wrist, he groans and try's to pull me over the railing. I don't try and help to pull myself up. I want to fall. I want to die...

I look up at the stranger who tried to pull me over the edge, my heart catches in my throat. A boy, not much older than I struggles to pull me to safety. I look down at my feet that are dangling in mid air over the dark abyss below.
"Let me go" I reply softly, trying to calm the boy. He grunts and doesn't let go. His hands are sweaty around my wrist.
"Please" I croak, my voice is hoarse from all the screaming. I look up with pleading eyes, he stares back with tears in his. Why won't he just let me fall? Why does he care so much?

The strong wind whips at my hair, spray from the water below sprinkles on my back. Everything is quiet in the last moments. I can smell everything, the salty sweat on my skin. The gas and pollution from the cars. I look up at the blue eyes of the boy.

His fingers begin to loose their grip around my wrist. I slip from his hand.
"No!" He screams. He grunts loudly and try's to get a grasp on my wrist again, "Somebody help me!" He yells over his shoulder at the cars that honk behind us. He looks down at me with desperate eyes. Just let me fall! He's only making it harder for himself.

I feel his fingers trying to tighten around my wrist but they slip away from all the sweat. His hands are so warm. So soft, yet so strong. But not strong enough. I fall. There's a high pitched scream as I plummet towards the darkness below. I realise it's me. Everything spins and swirls together. Wind whips at my hair and clothes. For some reason An image of a boy with scared blue eyes pops into my head. As my body comes in contact with the water I hear my bones crack. My insides, my legs, arms, fingers, everything hurts...