Someone was screaming. It could have been me, but I’m not sure. I’m not really sure of anything right now. The only thing I can hear over the screaming is the sudden and overwhelming thump of my heart, matching the pace of my running. I need to run, and I need to run fast. The trees are reaching over to choke me and take me away from this world… * * * A strong, rough yet feminine voice said proudly, “I now hereby claim Emery Grey as guilty for the attack on the well-known celebrity Lilith Grey. We hold the evidence and will stand strong in trial. Emery Grey, how will you plead?” There was a moment of silence, then a shove from an officer, and then a young woman stood in front of the woman who had just spoken. The young woman had her head tilted down, her hands behind her back in a thoughtful manner. The silence stretched out for what could be assumed to be a few minutes before she finally spoke quietly. “Guilty. I will plead guilty.” She looked up, a tired yet firm expression on her face. Emery had soft features, but her hazel eyes bored into the other woman. Everyone was already shocked at this point, glancing around. The woman that had accused Emery tilted down her hat and turned away with a half-hearted scoff. Two officers dragged her out of the open space, most likely heading to her cell where she would rot. * * * I’m sorry Lilith. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. Sorry. Please, *nothing, moment of thought* –forgive me. * * * The coffee shop was open till 8:00 sharp, and fortunately it was just now 6:45 in the afternoon. Now in the parking lot, I could tell that she was already here from the silver car parked perfectly one spot down from the handicapped spots. Without a thought, I smiled and rushed into the shop. “Over here!” called a cheerful and beautiful voice to the right of me. I turned around and saw none other than Lilith Grey. Her neatly braided platinum blonde hair was tossed over her shoulder and she already had two cups of coffee on the table she sat at. I turned my head away for a moment. “Lilith, can we talk… elsewhere?” She instantly frowned, which I could tell without having to look. I held up a hand, and before I could say anything else, she was exiting the store in a huff, storming out. It’s now or never. I followed her, eager to be done with her tantrum. Catching up, I led her into the woods just off the nearby road. Eventually, after walking some distance, she stopped being moody and started to get concerned. She glanced around, walking closer to me and grabbing onto my hand. I squeezed hers. “Emery…?” Lilith tried to suddenly break free of my grip. “Why are you so… perfect? Everyone is so happy to be with you, I am so done with you, get out of my life!” I said suddenly, my anger bubbling. I threw her to the ground, punching her in the face and taking her necklace and keys. “Stop, stop! Emery!” Lilith started screaming and I stopped. Tears of fury streamed down my face; I couldn’t help but feel so envious of her life– the admiration that I never got. Not even a moment later, the sirens started. I looked at her face again, felt my own, and then started screaming at myself, ashamed and shocked and so- so guilty. I did this to myself. I did this to her. She looked up at me and I backed away, both of us shocked at her bruised face. The dogs, there were dogs coming. Someone was screaming. It could have been me, but I’m not sure. I’m not really sure of anything right now. The only thing I can hear over the screaming is the sudden and overwhelming thump of my heart, matching the pace of my running. I need to run, and I need to run fast. The trees are reaching over to choke me and take me away from this world. Each step was worse than the last but I can’t stop, not now. I’ve already dug my grave– stopping would mean laying myself in it, giving up. I ran out to her car, unlocked it with the key and her necklace, and drove away, the only thing keeping me on my feet being the guilt and pain, ready to suffocate me. I would not have a normal rest of my life, no, I’m always going to choke on the dirt trail– behind Lilith.
WARNINGS: This was changed to be less violent, please let me know if I should change anything else! Inspired by a story I wrote with 3 others during a forensic science class a few months ago. Unfortunately, I don’t know where the original story went. Finished at around 8:40 PM on Wednesday. Entered in at about 3:00 PM on Thursday. Feel free to give critique if you’d like! Hope you enjoyed and either way, have a great day!