Chapter 58
1241words
I was coming on to tree with an uncontrollable speed and started to flail my arms around hoping that I will be able to latch onto a strong branch. The feeling of the sharp twigs and small branches slicing at my skin as I made my way in was apparent, making me wince and hiss. The colored leaves were obscuring my view as I tried my hardest to protect my head from any sudden impacts.
"Argh!" I groaned in pain as my belly made a sudden impact with a big branch, knocking the air out of me together with my consciousness. My arms and legs were dangling in the air as my poor stomach was carrying its host's weight on the branch. Painful moans and groans were making its way past my lips as I shook my head trying to gather my thoughts.
"I thought that I died." I mumbled as I ruffled my hair. The twigs that were stuck in my hair were swept away by my hand movement.
"April!" A booming voice from above called out.
I craned with a lot of difficulty my head up and saw a raging Mark standing at the window. "I-you-argh!" Lost for words he face palmed himself, pulling down his face features. "You're unbelievable." He sighed, shaking his head in disbelieve.
I smiled sheepishly. "I told you that the game wasn't over yet."
He shot me a sharp glare and pointed his finger at me warningly. "You better don't move from that spot, you hear me? Don't. Fucking. Move." He commanded, his voice flat and steady, but tight as a plucked wire.
I stuck out my tongue letting the 'bleh' sound roll out of it with my middle finger stuck up high in the sky. "Bite me." I challenged, which wasn't a good idea as I saw Mark's eyes darken, thunder brewing behind them.
'Shit.'
He turned around and disappeared from my view, but his heavy footsteps that carried anger with them shook the fragile old building. The tumor could even be felt by the tree.
With no time to waste I started to climb down the tree trunk. I landed on the soft moist ground but quickly stumbled and fell on my knees. Cursing under my breath, I looked back. My eyebrows knitted together frustrated as I stared at my shoeless foot. I glanced urgently around hoping to find the missing shoe, but in vain I couldn't find it and against better judgment decided to throw the other shoe away as it was hampering my movement.
I promptly rose up and proceed to ran in to the woods, hoping to shake off my stalker. Pushing the branches aside that were obscuring my way I let my feet carry me further and further into the cold dark nature of a maze ignoring their burning pain.
"April!!" A roaring sound tore through the woods causing the chirping birds to flutter their wings away in a panic, in search for their new refuge.
Refusing to look back I forced myself to keep going. Even though the fear that was coursing through my body commanded every muscle in me to freeze I kept pushing through.
Only the sounds of my thudding heartbeat, my shallow hard breathing and the squelching sounds of my bare feet hitting the moist ground could be heard until…
My feet got caught in a root of a tree that was sticking out of the ground, causing me to lunge forward and fall, planting face first into the ground.
"O-Ouch…" I groaned miserably. "This is not the time for you to be clumsy April come on!" I grumbled under my breath, berating myself as I slammed my fist on to the ground.
My ears twitched at the rustlings sounds that were closing in. I could feel the flight responses kicking in, increasing my heart rate, flooding me with adrenaline as I scurried quickly away in the bushes.
"April!" Mark yelled as he made his appearance in front of me. I clasped my hands over my mouth, trying to muffle down a gasp.
"I know that you're here somewhere kitten, answer me!" His eyes kept shifting around, hoping to catch a glimpse of me.
Sweat poured down my body as I stayed still as possible. I tried not to breath, but I knew that it was impossible and let out small shuddering breathes.
"Baby I am not angry, okay? So please just stop hiding." The anger that previously was evident was now nowhere to be seen. Instead it was replaced by worry.
Now that I am taking a closer look at him, I could see that his hair was in a disarray together with his suit. One of his hands was carrying the giant shoes that I was wearing as if he was the prince in cinderella searching for his princess.
"How many times does this woman have to throw my heart in chaos before she is satisfied? Does she not know that my mind will be clouded by worry knowing that she is running out there somewhere without damn shoes!?" He exhaled, covering his face with his hand. "What if she gets sick!?" He grunted.
A weird tugging sensation could be felt at my heartstrings at the state of the desperate man in front of me. I wanted to wrap my arms around this disheveled man, but I quickly pushed that feeling down into nothingness.
A rustling sound could be heard, and Mark snapped his head in that direction only to see a squirrel grabbing a chestnut. The sight of the cute creature had me in aw, but Mark's face only showed disdain towards it. Raking his fingers frustrated through his hair Mark pulled out his gun aiming at the squirrel and without any hesitation shot it.
Tears were pooling out of my eyes as I had to stifle down a scream. I was petrified as I watched the horrifying scene unfold in front of me. The small creature was now lying down in its own blood, his body twitching as the light in his eyes slowly dimmed away.
"Stupid thing." Mark grumbled annoyed and run in the opposite direction of where I was; continuing his search for me.
When I was sure that I couldn't hear his footsteps anymore I came crawling out of my hiding spot. Sobbing I slowly walked to where the dead squirrel was.
"How horrible." I cried peering down at the now dead creature. Void of life it was now turned in to a hollow carcass and…
That was mine fault.
"I'm so sorry." I whispered lowly. The tears that kept streaming down my face made their way falling on to the dead squirrel.
Gathering some fallen leaves around I placed them on top of the dead animal. Clasping my hands together I prayed for it hoping that it may find its way to heaven.
"Please rest in peace." I whispered and dejectedly resumed my escape.
