The Life of a Charlotte

Running. I was so tired from running. So tired that I had to stopped. I felt too weak to continue. On cue I fell on the smooth, but yet hard river rocks. I will probably have bruises on my legs and hands now, but I had to get back up and keep running.

I could hear my ragged breathing. My chest was burning. The sound of my heavy footed run following after me. The ground started to slosh from the heavy rain.

I had just witnessed someone get murdered. I wish I had never seen any of it...it was cold and brutal.

My memory flashed back.

I was trying to find somewhere to stay dry, while it was pouring outside. I had walked home with some friends, but stopped at the local shop. I wanted to get a new jacket, since mine wouldn't give me a chance in the upcoming storms.

My friends had left as soon as I had walked in. Naturally, I would have thought that it was a prank, but in this second it wasn't. They all had to hurry home, because the storm was about to break.

They wished me luck, and said they would inform my parents of where I was so I could still get back home. They got a ride with some of the older teenagers from our town. I don't think much of it. I walked around to where the jackets were and counted my money.

I didn't have much. Only about $30. At least I could find a decent jacket to use before it gets too cold. I got the jacket I wanted. Simple, lined with fleece, was a rain coat, black, and had a hood.

It was a little bit loose for my petite figure. It would work for me though. I went around to the counter to pay, but could not find the sales lady. She was usually here until late in the evening. It was only sunset.

I decided I would go to the back of the shop, just in case she was there. Not many shoppers were in the store, so I figured none of them would notice me snooping around.

In the back I found a door. It was slightly a jar. I walked down the small hallway that led to the door. It was very cold back here. Slowly opening the door, trying not to scared myself I peered in.

That's when I saw him.

He was holding the sales lady. Carrying her by the neck. He crushed her windpipe and let her fall to the ground. I was frozen at my spot at the door as I watched him. He crawled over her body, almost snake like.

He took her neck in his mouth, licking her dead flesh. She was so limp and pale. He slowly sniffed her neck. I couldn't move. Taking her neck back into his mouth, the man bit down on her neck.

No scream. Cry of agony. Nothing.

No sound came from the woman as this man savored her flesh and blood. I knew I should have run from him. Run from the tiny room, filled with boxes along one wall and a small window on the opposite. I didn't.

I just watched this man.

He seemed to take his time. I felt numb, frightened, but numb. He looked up from the woman's body. I knew that he was aware of me watching him. I didn't know what to think of it at the time though.

He stopped his work and started to move in my direction. "How can you see me?" he asked. I didn't know what he meant. Instead of pondering on the subject, I ran. I ran faster than I ever had. I was too frightened.

Pulling the jacket on as I ran, I didn't look back or slow down. I knew he was there, coming after me. Little did I know that it wasn't the last time he would. I just kept running from him.

I knew he was strong. He couldn't be human. No human can crush a woman's windpipe, while carting her by her neck. They had to be some type of wrestler or body builder. This man wasn't.

He was quite handsome. His eyes held a solid gaze. It wasn't frightening, but it never moved or wondered. They were a bright blue. He had strong bone structure. His face was something out of a magazine.

He was built quite strongly too. He was a big man, not too tall. He had a nice amount of muscle on his body. He wasn't toned, but had enough muscle to be intimidating. He was wearing a simple grey t-shirt. His pants were worn out jeans. He had hiking boots on, and no jacket. His hair was a dark blonde, almost brown, but not a dirty water blonde.

I had seen him before. I knew it the second I saw him gaze at me. The question he asked rang in my ear. What did he mean?

The town I lived in was small, but very spread out. Containing many farms and small marshes. The fans could be acres long, and never end until the road that leads to the church, schools, and shops.

The rode was about a mile long, and my house was about another half mile away from the rode. We lived on another mans farm. He rented us the house, as long as he kept his farmland. I just kept running, not thinking of anything.

No rational thoughts ran through my head. I didn't even stop to think that I was leading him right where I live. I knew the man was close behind me. He wanted his answer. Maybe more.

That man had just killed someone in front of me. I didn't even think about it. All I could do was keep running down the rode, letting the pouring rain soak me as I ran.

I didn't slip as much, until I got closer to the farm. I knew I should run up to the barn and lock myself in the attic. I planned on doing it.

I didn't stop until I reached the barn. I could hear the man shouting at me. He wanted my full attention. He wanted my answer. I had no answer. All I knew was to get away from him.

I ran to the barn door, opening it slightly. It allowed me just enough room to fit inside. I closed the door after I had shimmied in.

He was so close behind me.

His shouts getting louder.

I ran to the ladder in the barn. I almost slipped while running to and climbing the ladder. I was completely soaked, except for my upper quadrant.

Hay hid the attic door. I used all the strength I had left to move the hay from the doorway. Opening the door, slipping in, and locking it behind me.

I tried to calm my breathing. It was hard, from all the running I had to do. The man was in the barn. I could hear him calling out for me. "Answer me, Girl!" he would shout. I'm sure he realized where I was after a short amount of time.

Little did I know that it was all part of his game.

I was just playing as a pawn.

He was actually in the barn attic with me. I could feel him. He knew that the door I used was locked. He knew that there was another way in. There was a back door, and it led to the barn the kept all the animals and their feed. He knew all too well that I was alone today.

My parents had gone to get more feed earlier in the day. They would be back late tonight. The man that owns the farm was out attending Wednesday night mass. I was all alone.

I stood still.

I knew the man was behind me, but I didn't want to see him.

I did anyway.

I turned around slowly. He was there. Smiling at me. He was soaked from the rain also.

I fell to ground, unable to hold my weight. I was shaking from complete fear. I knew it was my end. He knew it all too well also.

Taking steps toward me. I could hear him right beside me. I couldn't even look in his direction. He bent down to my level.

He took my hand in his. Sniffing it and kissing it. My hand shook.

I wanted to cry so bad. I couldn't allow myself to cry though. Something in me told me not to.

I finally looked at the man. His gaze was set on me. I could feel it the whole time I was in the attic.

I let out a gasp. The man had use his other hand to hold my face.

Looking strait into my eyes, inches away from my face.

"How can you see me?" he repeated. It was a soft whisper, only for me to hear.