Moments Captured

Attacked

Ring! Riiing!

I pulled out my phone from where I sat on top on the park bench.  I had been looking around the park watching young children with their families hanging out, spending time together.  So I had answered my phone without thinking.

"Hello...?" I said only to realize that it was Maddie.

"Shi- Why hello Maddie dear."  I continued, trying to cover up my sudden panic.

"Good morning to you too. Where the hell are you? And why aren't you at school?" She sounded sardonic and little if not very much ticked.

"I'm. I'm at the park."

"Why didn't you come over yesterday?"  she proceeded without having me answer any other questions.

"I had to work..."

Silence.

She seemed to decided she didn't want to argue with me at the moment, because the next words out her mouth were.

"I'm sending Jade to come and get you."

"What?!" First of all how did she even know Jade? I had never introduced the two of them. And second of all where did you get the authority to do that?

"Look I'm not even going to ask. I don't know how you and Jade became friends so fast-"

"He introduced himself. It's something normal people do Youra."

Yeah.  Except I was pretty sure nothing about Jade fell under the category of normal.

"Okay, but how do you even go about trusting him so quick and with your best friend?"

Maddie hesitated. She sounded like she was pretty unsure her self how that one happened. Especially, since Maddie wasn't one to trust just anyone. 

"... He seemed sincere. Like he was really concerned for your safety."

All of it sent up red flags for me.

"Whatever you say Maddie.  However, by the time he gets here I'll be long gone."

With that I shut my phone, hopped off the bench and started walking West.  I liked the sound of the sand and gravel beneath my feet.  It was a comforting sound, familiar.... Until I heard another set of footsteps making that same sound directly behind me.

I quickly glanced over my shoulder and saw someone in a hoodie, hands tucked into their pockets and looking super suspicious.  I quickened my pace not wanting to be the next victim of some potential homicide.  I thought that as a joke... But then remembered how my dad died and suddenly I felt so very vulnerable.

I slowed down and tried to walk in the opposite direction. Taking the route directly across the park so that I might get to the area where the families were. The only problem was I would be out of view for a few moments while I passed by the large rocks that were currently on display.

I hoped to God that I could just make it.  I could feel the panic rising in me. It was broad daylight, but worse things have happened during this time. People just didn't seem to care anymore if they were caught.  I risked another glance over my shoulder and with a jolt I realized the person had turned the same way I had.

Panic began over taking me and so I did what any human pumping with adrenaline does in a situation like that.  I ran and as soon as I did, I knew the other was following because I could hear the footsteps pick up. 

I decided to risk cutting through the rocks.  It was a maze and a lot more complicated than I had anticipated.  It seemed to place an even greater distance between myself and the families I was trying to reach. I began darting between the giant boulders in an attempt lose the person pursuing me.

There was no time to correct my silly mistake.  Regardless of how stupid I was feeling now, because I was starting to realize that rather than taking me north-east where I wanted to go it was taking me north west. I mentally smacked myself at that. Youra!  Have you not learned anything from those dumb horror movies you love watching?  North-west lead to a secluded part of the park. Usually the drug addicts and drug dealers stayed in this area.

However, I didn't even have time to really yell at myself as I was suddenly tackled from behind.  I gasped, the air knocked out of my lungs as I hit the ground hard.