Weekly for SWC(Short Story)

Instructions

Short Story: The snowflakes spiraled down from the sky, floating over the snow-covered grass and settling on the icy road. The street was quiet, the silence uninterrupted except for the sound of a door being thrown open and soft footsteps crunching across the snow. Linda struggled through the deep snow, trying to run, but her footsteps were slowed to a stumbling walk as the cold air bit at her arms. She shivered, trying to take shallow breaths as the air seared her lungs and she dissolved into a coughing fit. “Should have brought…a heavier coat.” She panted, looking back toward the still ajar door of her house. But it was too late to go back now. Much too late. Linda scanned the street in front of her, turning in a full circle to survey the area. Empty, as usual, but she knew the eerie calm wouldn’t last for long. She had to get out of here. They had already found him, and now they were coming for her. She lifted her phone to her face again. A single text from an unknown number. ‘Very clever.’ Linda sped up, stumbling off of her driveway and onto the street, wincing at the loud cracking sound her feet made on the thin layer of ice across the road. She struggled to regain her balance as her feet slid forward throwing her arms out to her sides, but her legs slipped out from under her, sending her crashing to the ground. At that moment, the streetlights brightened, flooding the area with blinding light. Linda blinked away the dark spots in her vision, pushing herself to her hands and knees. When the brightness cleared and she could see again, there was someone standing in front of her, looking down with an unreadable expression. She reached down and jerked Linda roughly to her feet. Linda stumbled, nearly falling again before the person caught her, pushing her upright again. “W-who are you?” Linda asked, looking at her with wide eyes. “I’m Jessie.” She responded, evaluating her coldly. “Jessie?” Linda didn’t recognize the name. This wasn’t the person she would have expected to come looking for her. “Yes.” Jessie pulled her toward the sidewalk, the people that had been standing around them clearing to make a path for them. “You might not have heard of me, I prefer to work behind the scenes, but I’ve definitely heard of you.” Linda opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out. If Jessie really knew her, would she know about what had really happened all those years ago. If she did, Linda would have to be careful, one wrong response, one sentence confirming that she was a criminal, that was all it took. “You have?” She finally managed to say. “Yes.” Jessie smiled at her, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You call yourself Linda, at least right now, but we both know that’s not your real name. What is it anyway?” So she did know. Linda didn’t respond, and Jessie’s smile dropped away completely. Without saying another word she led Linda along the snowy path and up the road. The truth was that Linda didn’t remember what her name had once been. Jessie probably did, but asking would be admitting weakness, something she couldn’t afford to do. They were both silent for a long while. Linda wondered if it was worth trying to get away, but Jessie’s grip on her arm was too tight, and anyway, they were surrounded by people, guards. There was no escape. “How did you find me?” Linda asked finally, breaking the silence. “It wasn’t that hard,” Jessie told her, smiling again, a real smile this time. “I had every resource at my disposal.” Linda shook her head, confused. “If you’re in a position that important, why haven’t I heard of you?” “Like I said, I like to work behind the scenes.” Jessie slowed her fast pace just a bit. “Now that I’ve answered a question for you, you have to answer one for me.” Linda went silent again, waiting tensely for Jessie’s question. She didn’t have to answer it, but it might make things easier. “Where were you going when you tried to get away? I assume you saw my text, but how did you think you were going to get away?” Linda paused. “I don’t know.” “You don’t know?” “I was just going to run until I found a way out.” Jessie shook her head incredulously. “Wow, what determination.” She muttered. Linda turned away from Jessie, pretending to be intently examining the nearest plants. Everything seemed more colorful here, the plants, the houses, even the clouds had begun to clear from the sky, allowing the sun to filter in. “We’re almost there,” Jessie muttered, half to herself. Linda looked back up at her, noticing how she fidgeted nervously. What was she afraid of? Linda took a seat in one of the two chairs in the small room, an interrogation room. Jessie was the only other person there, all the others had left when they had entered the building. After a long silence Jessie spoke. “You know I have to do this right? I need to remove all dangers to the society I’ve built.” Linda didn’t respond, just kept looking down at the table silently. (cont.)