Story 2
I sprint through the darkness, pushing myself to the limit. I’m out of breath and I feel fire in my lungs. There’s no chance I could run faster or longer, but I just have to keep running. Otherwise, he will get me. Suddenly, I stumble over a protruding root in the dark forest, falling down on my face. I feel the moist but hard ground tearing the skin off my knees and wrists, leaving a stinging sensation. I wish I could tell myself it’s just a dream, but unfortunately this time, dying doesn’t mean waking up. This time dying means eternal darkness. My heart pounds so loudly that even in the pitch-black surroundings, I can see it almost ripping my t-shirt off. Its force nearly drowns out the approaching footsteps of my persecutor, betraying my location. Realizing I can’t outrun him much longer, I spot a slope hidden behind a tree and without hesitation or contemplating what’s on the other side, I jump. The mossy ground eases my fall, the sound of breaking branches masked by the sound of my pounding blood.
I attempt to calm my racing thoughts, reassuring myself that everything will be fine. All I need to do is survive. After several tense minutes of silence, I cautiously rise to assess the situation. My eyes are accustomed to the darkness now and I can almost tell that I must have lost him. Still, for safety or perhaps due to my fear, I remain motionless for a few more moments before resuming my escape.
My mouth feels as dry as sandpaper. I’d kill for a glass of water if it weren’t for the fact that I might be killed myself. This place must be close by. As the forest thins, the light of the full moon illuminates my path more and more. Just as I begin to relax, a distant gunshot pierces the night air. I begin to curse myself inwardly. Why did I put myself in this situation? Why was I so curious? Why couldn’t I just keep going? Now I was moving forward on tiptoes, covering perhaps a meter per minute. One sound can make me turn cold. I am doing pretty well when suddenly there is a loud crack under my feet and a nearby bird takes off into flight.
- FUCK! - a whispered curse from my lips slipped off. Instinctively, I cover my mouth with my trembling hands. My ears strain to detect any sound, but all is silent. I think I’ve been spared, but suddenly, his deep voice echoes from behind me.
- I’ve got you - he utters, and I hesitate, expecting the worst. I suddenly stop feeling all the tiredness and just as I am about to start running again he grabs my hand.
- Not so fast. - He holds me tight, puts the gun to my temple and a shot rings out.
I close my eyes as tight as possible when the cold pistol detaches from my skin. It wasn’t him who fired. When I open my eyes, I begin to slowly understand what just happened. My tormentor lies lifeless at my feet, and in front of me stands a figure unlike anything I have seen before. Offering something akin to a hand, he leads me to a meadow covered in the soft, gentle light of the moon, in the middle of which stands a wooden door. He slowly pushes me towards them and I’m hesitantly gripping the doorknob. When I push, the door creaks open quickly and my boyfriend grabs my hand, saying in a hurry:
- Lets go! He pulls me and slams the door behind me. I have no time to turn around and see my savior one more time. With disbelief, I look around Kai’s ordinary room now. All familiar objects in their places. He envelops me entirely and holds me tightly to his chest. As it dawns on me that I don’t have to run anymore, and I am safe, I pull away from his muscular body and gaze into his penetrating brown eyes. After a moment, I utter with a voice I don’t even recognize myself:
- I can’t believe what just happened. - He releases a slow breath, lets me go, turning away from me.
- So, you’ve just uncovered my biggest secret. - he says softly, looking at the moon through the window and starts twirling his signet ring between his fingers.
