Illusions

Adrenaline

"Bang, bang, bang" I freeze as I hear a bullet whiz past my ear. My heartbeat triples in speed as everything seems to slow down.

A dark figure steps out from behind one of the many trees and begins to walk slowly in my direction. The figure comes to a stop and raises a Glock 17, pointing it at my head.

I recognize that gun so well from the time my uncle and I would go to the shooting range. He had been my official guardian ever since I was 13 when my parents passed away. I have been on my own for about 5 years now, being at the age of 23.

"Click" I was dragged back to reality as the sound of the Glock 17 being reloaded echoed through the forest. At that moment all the adrenalin came rushing into my body as I took off, sprinting to my right. 

I dashed through the forest dodging trees and tripping over loose roots my heart pounding in my chest. My mind was racing just about as fast as my heart. My eyes are scanning the forest for...anything, anything I can hide behind, any way out.

I pull out my phone hoping to call the police or at least my Fiance. My phone, dead. I shove it back in my pocket feeling hopeless till I spot a big log, not too far, off to my right.  Relief pours over me. I look back and feel a bit more hope when I don't see the dark figure behind me.

I dive over the log and duck behind it letting myself breath. My heartbeat echoes through my ears and my lungs feel as though they are on fire. I attempt to control my breathing hoping to make it quieter.

"Snap" a twig breaks under the pressure, of what I would assume to be, a foot. My heart stops as well as my breathing. Afraid for my life, I inch closer to the log praying I won't be seen. The sound of dead leaves being smashed gets closer and closet till they stop only inches from my hiding place. What I assume to be the black figure takes off running back the way he came.

I breathe out hard and lay by the log for a moment until I knew for sure the figure must be gone. Slowly and shakily I stand up scanning the perimeter for anything that seemed out of place. I was at last able to force my self to take a step away from the log.

I take a deep breath seeing nothing unusual among the many trees that lay in front of me.  I begin slowly jogging back through the forest the way I came, or at least what I could remember of the route.

I finally reached the trail I had taken coming into the forest earlier today. Happily and filled with new hope I sprint down the trail anxious to be home, sitting next to my Fiance thinking this was all just a figment of my imagination.

The trail I had previously been running down for what seemed like ages, at last, came to an end meeting with the edge of a parking lot. I run over to my car pulling out my car keys, with shaky hands, unlocking it as fast as I could. I hop into the driver's seat, start the car, and throw it into reverse pulling out of the lot as fast as possible.

My heart is still pounding in my chest as I race down the road at 55 in a 35. My eyes are scanning the road almost surprised that no one jumps out in front of me with a gun. I focus on my breathing in an attempt to calm myself.

In 2,3,4

Hold 2,3,4

Out 2,3,4

Hold 2,3,4

It makes me feel a bit better and the next thing I know, I am pulling into my driveway, opening the garage door like a normal person. A person whose life wasn't in jeopardy only moments before. Maybe it was all in my head...maybe that story I wrote a while ago about that murder was starting to get to me.

I shake my head hoping to clear it of the event that had just taken place.

I open the car door, close the garage door and walked through the door of my house feeling relief wash over me as I see my little German Shepheard run over to greet me.

"Hi, Blaze" I get down on my knees to pet him. He licks my cheek and I feel better already. "Wheres Jason, buddy?" I ask him as if he could respond.

"Right here" My Fiance walks towards me with opened arms smiling. "How was your run?"

I freeze. I had almost forgotten about that horrible experience...I don't know if I am ready to relive that experience and actually tell someone about it. No, that would make it feel too real.

"It went well," I say plastering a fake smile on my face.

"Okay" He replies looking at me suspiciously but most likely sensing I didn't want to talk about it.

"How was ur evening?" I ask desperate to change the subject.

"Great!" He states excitedly "I made you dinner."

I smile, genuinely this time. "What would I do without you"

"I don't know, but you don't have to worry about that."

We both walk over to the table and have our dinner while talking and laughing. It felt good to forget about the events of today, for now anyway.