What Life Holds

Chapter 8

Peddle fast, Jess, save your life. I said to myself as my feet applied more pressure on the peddles of my cycle. Two bulky men came out of no where and were chasing me on their latest motorbike. I turned my head to see if they were following me and to my horror they both took out guns and aimed at my.

I knew I should have listen to mom and not come alone to the deserted part of the town. A lond bang interrupted my thoughts. The sharp bullet went past me and hit the tree. Another came and I dodged, the bullet missing me by inches.

The next one was fired and hit my shoulder sharply. The pain erupted through my entire body. By feet daring to stop for dear life, I peddled with for force ignoring the agitating wound. Another and another were fired, scaring me to the core.

I pulled the brakes to stop as a small boy with innocent eyes came running in the middle of the empty road. He was laughing as his tiny legs carried him further in the road. Then a loud 'BANG' erupted and I ducked my head in fright, my eyes shut tightly.

Perfect silence filled the atmosphere. I slowly opened my eyes and faced the concrete road. Crimson blood was flowing to my feet. I slowly lifted my head to see the boy lying on the road his lifeless eyes were looking towards the sky.

I let out a loud scream. A huge hole was plastered in his little forehead. A river of blood was flowing from it. His smile was still lingering in his motionless face.

My eyes flung open in terror and I sprang up. 'It's okay, Jess, it's a dream.' I said to myself. 'More like a nightmare.' A annoying little voice inside my head said. I looked at the alarm clock and it is six in the morning.

Knowing that sleep won't come to me anymore, I got up and went to the bathroom. My face was filled with sweat and my hair was standing in all directions. I pulled down my sleeve and ran my hand over the white scar on my shoulder.

I haven't told mom about it. My friends sister was a doctor so she cleaned the wound. I lied to mom that I got hurt at practice. It pains to know that she died without knowing the truth. I have had nightmares about this several times, but it stopped eventually. 

The police has no idea how the boy died. I just abandoned the poor child on the road because I panicked and there was a fear inside of being questioned. Each movement of that accident kills me inch by inch. 

I decided to go to the gym to clear my thoughts. I pulled a pink nike tank top and yoga pants and left my room. I started with some normal stretches and then went on the treadmill. The music from my AirPods was blasting in my ears as I ran to calm my mind. 

I jumped and hung on the pull up bar and lifted my body. I did about 10 and I still didn't feel tried so I continued. "You're up early." A voice said from behind and I dropped myself down. I turned to see Jase leaning against the wall with his gym cloths on. 

"Hey." I said and sat on the chair. I hung my head down and the memories of the accident , my mom's dead, the guns in the locker weighed on my shoulders. "I was just about to leave." I looked up and said to Jase. I want to be alone for some time and Jase had his ways of getting people admitting the truth. 

"You can stay if you want, it's not a problem." He said and made his way inside. "No, I'm going." I got up and walked to the door. "Is everything alright." He asked and I stopped dead in my tracks. "Of course." I replied maybe too quickly and left.

I went and took a long hot shower and dressed in grey woolen dress which came just below my knees. I took my mobile, AirPods, my sketch book and pencil and went to the garden. The house was quite and I couldn't spot anyone. I made my way to the cherry tree and plugged my AirPods and the soft music flowed through me.