I've been running.
Running and running and running- for how long, no one knows. The sky is brightening with each step, glowing faintly through the canopy above. My breathing is heavy and my chest is burning non-stop as I pant. But there's no reason to look back amidst this forest because one bad decision and I might end up being dead.
Might as well use every bit of strength I have.
The moment that thought crossed my mind, the narrow path just ended and I crashed onto a tree. I didn't notice it as it was hidden behind those overgrown vines and bushes in this forest. The dim lighting didn't help either because it is a forest after all, and the night has just ended, the Sun is still on it's way to rise.
No time to waste.
Run, Vicky, run...
Why am I running? Well, it's complicated. What happened was...
Earlier this day, being a cute little teen of seventeen-years-old, minding my own business, enjoying life in a sunny-lucky way on my way to home in the afternoon.
Truth be told, I'm no hotshot. Not a nerd either, just a simple-regular guy around the school campus. But yes, I do think my life's been lucky so far.
So on my way to home, I heard a scream. A proper, delicate and elegant screaming of a girl.
Hold on, can screaming even be elegant?
Well... that's beside the point.
When I heard the sound of the scream, I did what a normal guy with boiling blood in his veins would do.
I ignored it.
But the screaming continued.
And I continued to ignore it.
What? What do you want me do? I already said it, I'm no hotshot. Let me be the way I am. A normal, happy-go-lucky guy.
However, life does like taking sharp turns.
Because then I saw her. A girl in her wedding dress, running straight towards me, screaming in between breaths.
What a sight! I mean... White gown, tiara on her head, gloves on both hands... but no shoes. She was clutching her dress as she ran, barefoot on the street.
Were there any other people around?
Yes. Old folks.
Were they doing something to help the girl?
No. They weren't.
Were they confused seeing the sight?
Yes.
Was I confused?
Also yes.
Am I also old?
No! I'm seventeen.
The sight completely messed with my head. I couldn't take my eyes off her. But though the corner my eye, I noticed something else.
Shadows!
Men dressed like butlers- build like tanks. The kind that looks less like servants, more like goons from the mafia. Muscles bulging, and faces stiff.
And they were holding guns.
Guns!
That was the exact moment my brain finally decided to stop buffering.
Screaming brides were weird.
Screaming brides being chased by armed butlers, much weirder.
A voice inside me warned.
Don't get swept into this. Stay away.
But her eyes locked onto me like I was her last lifeline. She was getting closer- way too close.
She screamed again, "HELP ME!"
Nope.
I turned on my heel and ran.
Listen, before you judge me, put yourself in my shoes. Actually, put yourself in her shoes. Oh wait, she didn't have any.
Still, the point stands, I was just a normal guy, unarmed, allergic to trouble. This clearly smelled like trouble, probably meant for adults. Or the police. Or literally anyone else.
So I ran.
But then she grabbed my arm.
Her grip was surprisingly strong for someone in a wedding dress. I almost face-planted right there on the pavement.
"Please", she stated with a shaking, crying voice. I was in a dilemma.
One moment I looked at her eyes, next moment I looked at the eyes of the guns pointing at us. I was no longer in a dilemma.
That was it. Decisions were made.
"Run!" I screamed, grabbing her hands and ran.
Bang.
The first gunshot. The defeaning sound, it ripped through the street. People screamed. Old folks scattered. Someone dropped their grocery bag and oranges rolled across the street, as if taking part in that chaos.
Whew! The bullet missed. How lucky!
We bolted down the street towards an alley way. My lungs were on fire, both from exhaustion and fear. She tore her bride gown in that small window, to make it easier to run.
She has fine, strong legs, no lie.
"Who are they?" I asked between breaths.
"My family!" She yelled.
That answer didn't help.
Another gunshot. This one's close. Way too close. We decided to run again in the small, narrow alley way. There's no time to look back.
Garbage bins, damp walls, and smell of something I didn't recognise, and I didn't want to recognise. She was running much faster than before.
"Why are you dressed like that?" I asked without looking at her.
"Because I ran away from my wedding!"
Ofcourse you did!
The alley ended at a rusted gate. Locked.
I stared at the gate.
She stared at the gate.
The gate didn't care.
Footsteps can be heard behind us. Calm, heavy and professional. I looked at the butler who is calmly walking towards us through the narrow alley way, gun raised casually, as if it was just another task on his list.
"Young man!", He yelled from there but politely, "please step aside." And then he smiled.
Normally when we see someone smile, there is a tendency to smile back. But that was not the case with this smile. I was genuinely terrified.
The bride squeezed my hand, whispered.
"Don't let go."
And ladies and gentleman-
That's how my once in a perfect normal afternoon, officially became a life threatening mess.
Oh how I wish I just stayed home, playing games and such.
I am usually lucky kinda.
But this time... I think my luck ran out.
It's a dead end!