Aptitude

Part 1-Running

I would give anything to turn the clock back five minutes. Anything to be free of the blood covering my hands. To be the innocent teenager I used to be.

Two Weeks Earlier:

My feet pounded against the pavement as I raced through the dark alley. I was chasing someone, a man. Blood poured from a wound on his shoulder and I could smell the fear radiating off of him. I absolutely hated sports, running and pretty much anything concerning physical activity. But sprinting there, my feet splashing through small puddles; going faster than I ever thought possible? It was effortless and I loved it. I was gaining on the man, and as he stumbled, I leapt, flying through the air. I glanced over in that moment at a reflective surface. But I didn't see myself. The moment passed suddenly and I slammed into the man's body, sinking my teeth int-

I woke with a start. The nightmares had started about a month ago and progressively gotten more realistic. This one was different, it felt like it had actually happened, more like a memory than a dream. I suppose I can't say nightmares though as I am never actually afraid. If anything I am something to be afraid of. Sliding out of bed I groan at the stiffness of my legs. "What even," I mutter to myself as I hobble to the bathroom. I yawn and glance at the mirror. I stop and stare at my reflection. Red smudges my face. I frantically rub at my face, smearing the stuff even more. Fumbling with the faucet handles I turn the hot water on. I breathe shakily and cup my hands under the scalding water. My arms tremble and I grip the sink as the red swirls down the drain. The room fades around me. 

I'm in the alley again. I'm leaping, soaring through the air.

 I'm back in the bathroom.

 Another moment I'm slamming into the man. 

Bathroom again. 

Sinking my teeth into his throat.

 I can hear the faucet running. 

The blood gargles, the man tries to scream. 

The lights glare off the white porcelain of the sink. 

Blood stains my mouth. The life slowly draining out of the man onto the pavement.

 The bathroom again. My head is spinning. I'm on the floor. My stomach churns. What the heck just happened. I stand and push myself off the tile. The next thing I know I'm walking down a street. I stop in my tracks and whip my head side to side. I'm dressed, I have my computer bag and I have a weird feeling...what was it called? Oh yeah, deja vu. I look at the street sign at the end of the sidewalk. It's nighttime and I'm looking at the sign, but it's taller and the colours are brighter. The name is the same, Muller Street. It's daytime again and I look to the side, down the alley. It's the alley, the one from my dream. It's an actual place. But it's different. I make a decision and turn and walk down, my feet hitting the pavement. The puddles, splashing. Ahead of me, the way is blocked with police tape. Blood pools into puddles beyond it. A yellow tarp covers...a body. It has to be a man, no the man. But how is it possible? It can't be. My phone rings loudly, my parents wondering where I am. They got probably a call from the school, saying I was absent today.