a/n: here is my short story piece from my English class :)
The forest grows darker and colder as the sun sets. My breath comes out shallow as I watch it produce a white cloud of mist before dispersing. I have no idea where I am, the fear finally settling on me as I turn in every direction trying to figure out where I came from. I hear the low growl of a wolf in the far distance, a branch snaps and my mind goes into overdrive. Anxiety and panic course through my veins as I run in a random direction. My breathing is coming out in short pants, my hair whipping into my face. All I can think about is getting out of the darkness, all that's on my mind is escaping.
I push myself to run faster, faster than I have ever ran in my life. My ankle gives way and I'm falling; my body is falling through massive amounts of chilly, empty air. My body plunges into the frigid depths of what I assume is Lake Watson. I've wandered further than I thought. I kick my legs, trying to push myself to the surface. I break free sucking in a sharp breath as the cold waters threaten to pull me under once again. My clothes feel heavy like I have a million chains attached to me trying to drag me down.
My body tumbles. The current is strong, dragging me further and further away from where I once was. I scramble trying to reach the shore before I lose any sense of direction and get stuck out here forever. My hand grabs onto a fallen tree branch. My arms scream in pain as the current tries to pull me further downstream. I kick as hard as I can to try and pull myself up out of the murderous waters.
I don't want to die like this. Whether it be from hyperthermia or drowning. I refuse to go out like this. With one last strong kick I grab the branch with both my arms and pull myself up. I lay there, panting, eyes squeezed shut. My lips are ice cold as I lick them trying to bring back any touch of warmth to my body. My mind is hazy, my limbs are growing heavier as I let the seconds pass. I'm so tired. I know I shouldn't sleep, but one minute won't hurt.
I hear voices in the distance. My head screaming out, telling me to make a noise, to scream, to cry, just do anything to get their attention. It screams at me. But I'm so tired, my throat produces an ugly groan as my head grows heavy. I open my eyes, seeing light shine in the distance growing closer and closer to where I am.
I hear twigs snap and my name getting screamed. "Oh my god Emma!"
Then there's a blanket wrapped around my shoulders and I'm squeezed to someone's chest. "She's here, near the river!" they call, before I see three more figures emerge from the trees running towards me.
Blanket upon blanket are thrust upon me, these people desperately trying to bring some warmth back to my body. I shudder and the person holding me brings me closer to their chest. I muster up all my strength I've gained to look at them.
Its Tyler Hart. His brown hair sticking too his face, his green eyes crazy, looking around, before he vigorously rubs my arms, trying to bring them back to their original colour. He must feel my eyes on him because he's looking at me and I want to look away, but his eyes have trapped me.
My heart starts beating fast, like I'm back in the river getting dragged under. My hands go sweaty, which is drastically different from before when they were blue, and I couldn't feel them. He tucks a strand of his hair behind his ear, before he smiles at me.
His hands are still rubbing my arms, he's still smiling. I squeeze my eyes shut. He caught me, I struggle, but my muscles are still weak. His hands stop, grabbing onto me. I bite my lip in pain. "You tried to escape. I must admit you gave it a good go, but you were just well, a little off," he laughs, and it's so different from the laugh I once fell in love with.
"I didn't want to do this Emma, but you really left me with no choice. You left us with no choice," he says gesturing to the other three people.
I'm now sobbing uncontrollably my hands trying to pry his harsh grip off me. Trying to escape, escape his harsh stare. "Please let me go."
He stands up pulling me with him. My legs go wobbly before I steady myself. "Oh sweetheart, you aren't the only one who's begged to be let go, and well, I always say no."
His hands are on my shoulders holding me there. Before I feel my arms and legs being bound. He smiles, before leaning towards me, "Have a nice trip," he whispers before pushing me.
I tumble backwards, my back slapping into the harsh cold waters once again. I'm dragged under, trying to swim towards the surface. I can see his face above me. He's laughing, they are all laughing. I go limp, my body goes heavy, and my eyes close.
SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD EMMA-ROSE BESSON FOUND DEAD AT THE BOTTOM OF LAKE WATSON. THE SUSPECT KNOWN AS TYLER HART IS STILL AT LARGE FOR NOW FIVE ACCOUNTS OF MURDER. PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH THE SUSPECT, HE IS ARMED AND DANGEROUS.
