Aim to Engage Short Stories

Crime prompt - From that day forth...

She ran a hand over her face, trying not to fall asleep where she stood. She sighed, trying not to, trying to stop her. She clenched her hands into fists, shaking her head. It was hopeless and against her will, she glanced back over her shoulder. Nothing... She knew there was nothing there, yet she found the need to turn around and look to be compulsory an involuntary thing. Her fiancé cast her a worried glance. He gently took her wrist, making her head snap to him. She let out an inaudible sigh when she saw it was just him. She managed a smile, but he saw right through it.

'You okay?' She nodded weakly.

'I'm fine...' He sighed, studying her face.

'Iris, I love you, but please... Don't lie to me,' he whispered. Iris nodded slowly, tears welling up in her eyes.

'I... I saw something,' her voice was small, quiet. 'I saw something and I reported it... I thought it would make me feel better, but I just feel like I'm being followed, watched everywhere I go... I'm sorry, Jamie, I should... I should have told you...' A tear rolled down her cheek.

'Hey, hey, it's okay.' He wiped away her tear with his thumb, resting his hand on her cheek. 'I... Do you want to tell me what happened?' She looked at him, a little surprised he wasn't upset. On the one hand, she didn't want to talk about it, but she also didn't. She knew if she was going to talk to anyone, it would be Jamie. She took a deep breath, nodding.

'It was, uh, six weeks ago, I think. I was walking home from dinner with my sister.' Her eyes shifted out of focus as she returned to that night.

Her footsteps echoed through the empty streets. On her right, a street light flickered, on her left, someone stood in an alley. A sharp scream cut through the air, making Iris jump. For just a second she hesitated whether she should run towards it or away from it, whatever it was, but it didn't take long to decide and she ran straight towards it. When she reached the alley, another scream pierced the cold autumn air. She hid behind a dumpster, sneaking a peek at what was happening in the alley. When her eyes scanned the dark space between two warehouses, her heart skipped a beat. She took out her phone, taking a few pictures. Adrenaline buzzed through her, but she knew she couldn't do anything. Her job as an investigative reporter had taught her enough about situations like these. She quickly dialed her dad's number.

'Iris, hey, why are you calling? I thought you were having dinner with your sister.' Her dad's voice echoed through the phone and just the sound of it managed to calm her down.

'Dad,' she whispered, her voice urging, she could almost see her dad jumping up. 'I need your help. They... They're going to kill her.'

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499 words... I really need to stop making it so hard on myself...

Song: Clearly - Grace Vanderwaal

Hope you enjoyed!

Lots of love,

Em,