Running man

'Run, don't look back, just run.' Those words echoed in her ears repeatedly reminding her of how much of a Coward she was. She couldn't think straight owing to the fact that she just left Jacob to his fate. What's more she fails to understand what's going on. Is this real or is this just a weird nightmare? She kept running, afraid to stop, afraid to die. The trees were getting taller and the bushes thicker. She came to a sudden halt, her eyes gazing at it. Her entire being rocked to its core. She couldn't believe her eyes. She threw up her lunch and pretty much everything in her stomach. Still shocked by the scene before her, she heard a familiar voice. She turned around and saw a familiar face. She  giggled and said out loud 'This must be a funny nightmare...'

An excellent opportunity. That's what most people would have called it. Zelda Harper a petite blonde with a wheatish skin and a frumpy dress stood on the hallway assumably waiting for someone. She had fine features with big round eyes which seem to radiate the colour blue and an unlined face which made her look like a child. She looked overly restless like someone on a cue to the only restroom in the beach. After a few minutes of disturbed movements she regained her calm and stared intently towards her left. Following her gaze she seemed to be looking at a young man who was smiling while having what seemed to be a lively conversation with a group of boys. It was time for lunch, of course the hall was going to be rowdy and crowded but today it was fairly peaceful. Truly an excellent opportunity, today was the day she would finally talk to him.

'don't you think your staring too hard' Zelda heard a familiar voice from behind. she turned slowly knowing she would find Marcus on his signature beanie and his goofy smile. Marcus Boone the 'Class clown' and  Zelda Chopper are childhood friends and neighbours. To on lookers they seemed like siblings doing almost everything together.

'don't worry I'm not judging. Just wanted to ask if you heard the news'

'what news' her face hinted a bit of disbelief. Marcus isn't the type to take interest in the news more less tall about it.

'Zack's dead'

Zelda's face changed from surprised to furious in an instant 'huh?  What kid of joke is this'

'oh, I wish I was joking. They say he was shot by a 2.7mm. shot em twice on the neck, looked like those bite marks from vampires in movies though, funny huh'

They was no humour in it and neither of them laughed

Bewildered she asked 'you sure it wasn't some kind of mistake, I could have sworn I saw him yesterday'

 'you know anyone else named Zack Lenor?

'wow' those were the only words that could escape from her mouth.

Zack was a guy in the next class who always came to our classroom any time he had the chance so he was pretty well known in our class. Can't believe he's dead.

'Tch. You should have told me after school. Now you've killed my spirit, just when I was about to talk to that hot guy'

'His name is Jacob and sorry okay, just wanted to you to know' His face didn't look sorry and neither did his gestures. He must have told me that this morning for a reason, he's up to something.

The crowd cleared. The boy she was looking at or rather Jacob was finally alone. It was now or never. Taking a deep breath she walked over with haste. The depleted feeling she had not too long ago seemed to vanish immediately she met his gaze.

'Hi'  she said with a shaky voice

'wassup'

'You're new here right? '

His eyebrow tilted a bit 'yeah, any problems?

'oh no, I was just emm...you see I just wanted to show you around and help you get used to the school.'

His face relaxed a bit 'Thanks but I already know my way around. Wished you showed me around last week though. Thanks anyway, I'll be on my way now'

What do I do, I messed up. I didn't accomplish anything. He's already taken a few steps forward, I have to do something quick. let him at least get my name.

'I'm Zelda by the way, what's your's?' I said just loud enough for him to hear and not loud enough to be considered a yell.

He stopped turned around and said  without raising his voice 'I'm Jacob. Jacob Graham, nice to meet you Zelda'

The bell rang. The conclusion of another day in school. The thought of Zack's death had completely left her mind filled with thoughts of Jacob and his handsome features. Unlike her usual routine, she decided to take the train home. Taking the long way home meant she could dwell in her thoughts of Jacob longer. Unexpectedly Jacob was also in the train, he looked rather distant and alone. This time she decided not to over think 'it. I'll just walk over there and say hi' she thought.

'hey, we meet again'

'well hi, umm Zelda.' The look in his eyes didn't change

'Do you take the train to your way home often?'

'yeah, it's cheaper and the bus station isn't far from my house. How about you? Haven't  seen you use the train before'

'Oh I normally use a cab but I just decided to try using the subway for once.'

We talked for a while before our respective stops, it was nice getting to know Jacob and the fact that he's still single, she thought wearing a smile the whole way back home.

Zelda took the subway to Jacob's house. It was Saturday and Jacob's birthday party was only a few minutes away. The stains on the walls of train, the noise of hundreds of people and the loud sound of a moving train that seemed to cover up any sound was exactly what she needed to Calm herself. Her and Jacob had gotten relatively closer the past few days, he even walked her home one time. Even though they were now friends and even though she was only going there for a party, she felt very nervous. Going to the opposite genders house for the first time was always nerve racking for her. Well apart from Marcus she hasn't really gone to any other boy's house. And since she was invited she hoped he'd ask her out. Her life was going great until she actually got to the party.

Walking towards an empty porch with loud music coming from the house in front was Zelda on a dark blue one shoulder bodycon dress and a black mini bag. Having never gone to a party before she decided to go with something a bit formal. The expensive look on the house made Zelda a bit nervous. Making it to the front door she got a whiff of something rotten , ignoring the smell she opened the door without knocking. With the music playing so loudly there wasn't really any need to knock, or so she thought.

Staring at the horrid scene before her she fell completely silent and shuddered, thinking of how and what could have taken place here. Looking closely she saw 4 guys covered in blood heading towards the dining room. She Screamed or she thought she screamed, her mouth fell open but not a single sound came out. Noticing that She knew some of the lifeless bodies on the floor She fell to her knees and stayed that way for 2 minutes. The world seemed to stand still.

Someone came out from the dining table and started running towards the door where Zelda was still hopeless on the ground

'Zelda snap out of it let's go.' Grabbing her hand he pulled her off the ground and started running. Zelda came back to her senses immediately she heard that voice

'Ja-Jacob?

'yeah it's me, just calm down and follow me'

Speechless she went with Jacob, he seemed to be running towards the woods. They ran in Silence, tears streaming down Zelda's face the whole time. Their pace seemed to slow down after a few miles. Just outside the woods which seemed to be their destination, Jacob collapsed.

'Are you okay.' She stopped crying

'yeah, I just tripped on a rock, I'm fine.' He said unconvincingly while trying to catch his breath.

'well you don't look fine' on the verge of tears she said while tending to his wounds. He had bruises and scars all over his body. She had just noticed the blood stains on his shirt and jeans.

'What happened to you? What are those things? Are we gonna die too?' tears started to rain down again, she was scared, sad and confused.

'Calm down. We can get through this together, it'll  he okay.' Jacob sat up from the ground and gave her a hug and continued

'listen to me. I'll tell you what happened if you promise to stay calm and just continue running'

Zelda nodded, wiped the tears from her eyes and stood up. Jacob already back on feet gave her his hand and they continued their sprint.

'well you don't look fine' on the verge of tears she said while tending to his wounds. He had bruises and scars all over his body. She had just noticed the blood stains.