Forsaken Blood

- MELANCHOLIA -

"Hey Mom," Layla yelled out, "I'm Just going for a jog. I'll be back in an hour."

"Ok honey, don't stay out long, it's dark out." She cried out.

Layla hadn't heard her Mom come home last night, but when she woke up, there she was, having breakfast in the kitchen as though nothing had happened.

She needed a jog to clear her mind, after everything that had happened. It was a perfect night with a light sprinkling of snow, appearing as though the still air was full of stars. She head down toward the woods where the walking trail lay on the outskirts. It was always her favourite place to go for her exercise routines.

It was quiet out with hardly a soul on the street. After half an hour she was worn out and found a bench to sit for a breather. She took in the chill night air, as a black car with dark tinted windows approached. Layla's eyes squinted  to see if she could make out who it was, but the tint was too dark. Steam from the exhaust pipe unfurled into the crisp air, as it sat idling watching her.

Her heart rate picked up it's pace, knowing it could be more trouble. She took a deep breath, stood up and dashed away. The mysterious car crept with her, keeping at her steady pace, yet remaining slightly behind her. It was clear she was being followed. She knew there was a gas station up ahead and started to run. A shop's neon sign glowed bright up ahead, and pushed with all her might in a mad dash to get there, the car's engine roared behind her and in a flash, it had cut her off. She threw herself into the dark woods and sprinted as fast as her legs would take her.

Keep going! They're going to kill you!! Her mind screamed.

She pushed herself like a bat out of hell, but her lungs felt like they were going to explode.

There were fallen trees and branches everywhere, one had caught her foot and she slipped over the wet soil and mushy snow.

Picking herself up, she turned her head back and it had disappeared. She slowed down to catch her breath and ease her aching lungs. Frantically she looked all around her, there was nothing, not even a sound. She stopped to get her bearings and screamed as a shadow jumped out in front of her.

"Help!" She cried, "heeelp!!"

The shadow lunged at her and grasped her in its arms. The full moon lit its face and she sighed in relief. It was Marco.

"Oh my god," she screamed, "what the hell are you doing Marco? Why are you following me?"

He kept silent and smiled.

"What's wrong with you?" Layla screamed and pounded at his chest.

She was terrified, Marco could see it in her eyes and he suddenly felt the pain of regret.

"Forgive me, Layla," he said in a low tone. "I was just trying to see how well you can get yourself out of a bad situation... if need be."

"Why would you do something like that?" She said in a broken voice.

He grabbed her shoulders and looked her in the eye, "I know you're in trouble."

"What? How?" Layla took a huge step backward and forced his hands to fall from her shoulders. Her breathing was heavy as she wondered how much he knew and how far he was involved.

"Did you... Did you kill my friend Kendra?" Her voice was shaky.

Please say no... please say no... she begged in her mind.

"I am sorry for your loss." His eyes darted away from her.

"Answer me!" She hissed.

He stood silent for a moment before stepping toward her, his eyes inches away from hers. His lips so close that she could taste his scent.