17

I was running.

Everything was pitch black but I knew I should be running. My hair was a mad array of what was once you can imagine of a chignon. Only that beads of sweat trickled from my scalp down to my cheeks, to my overly exposed chest. I was wearing something dirty clothes of some sort. I can't tell what color exactly but from the cold air wafting against my bare and exposed shoulders I knew I was wearing like that of an off shoulder top.

The cracking of sticks underneath my bare feet, the impediment of sturdy big roots, the murky smell of mountain rain and the leaves poking me everywhere convinced me that I wasn't having the fanciest frolic. I winced from the pain of something piercing my legs but I never dared  stop.

It went on for an eternity.

Running. Looking back. Running.

It was only then when my clothes caught something that prevented me from escaping that I knew I was in a flowy dress. I was adamant in getting the part that was stuck in a branch of a low towering dead tree.

"Stupid Shit. "

I pulled the cloth in vice like grip one last time but it was still stuck. Whoever was following me will easily catch me with every crack of dead branches I'd break in the way so I huddled the mass of the dress I was wearing and whimpered silently waiting for the person to lost track. But then there's also a chance that he was just hot on my trail and it's just about seconds that he'd pounce on me.

I hid in the comforts of the big tree that cradled my weight in its big roots. I lost track of time but I knew that the silent atmosphere meant it to be midnight, almost dawn.

I was heavily breathing and praying If I'd dare say. I wished to hear even the slightest crunch of dead twigs being stepped into so that I know where my abductor was heading but I was met with deadbeat silence.

I stayed half-awake, oozing with blood,  and sporting the worst headache. I was alive but I sensed I won't be for long. It was then that I almost dozed off from extreme hunger and exhaustion that I hear something.

Steps.

Calculated ones.

" We can't go back to Reese without the girl. She'd kill me without batting an eye. " A heard a croaked voice probably from the burly man with bald hair.

"Growing old bud?  I'd say asthma takes the toll eh? I'm not going without her. You go ahead. " A younger voice retorted that sounded smug as if he's someone not to be bossed around and rather the one barking orders.

Then I heard footsteps faltering and nearing. I bit my tongue to stop groaning from the pain the slice on my leg cost me.

" Might as well come out darling. "

He's near I could feel but maybe it's my mind that's playing me.

" We won't hurt you. I--won't. "

I felt something cold and slimy scathed against my arm I had to disregard the feeling or else everything will all be for naught.

He fired gunshots then I gasped. I brought my hands against my mouth but he had already found me. I made a run for it but he had pulled my hair which was butt length that time.

"Porcelain doll face. I'll let you go after you'd please me darling. " He rubbed his face and I could smell his bad breath and in an instant I withdrew my face farther more. He wasn't pleased on the act and punched me in the gut. I lost all air then I succumbed to darkness.

I shot up from bed and was heavily taking in air. It has been years that I had my last share of sleepless nights.

It was the first of the very long time since nightmares crept in. So I don't understand why this is happening again. It's as if I was reliving the movie I once starred in. Only that it happened true to life and no amount of movie trailer would suffice the questions unanswered and the dead ends presented just before I could make up the whole plot of the story.

I washed my face free from sweat. The running water occupied my blank thoughts as I lay there in defeat. My hands garnered support from the sink but my knees buckled.

It was this nothingness.

I don't remember anything at all. I was terrified of the sullen nightmares but they kept me company since time immemorial.

I was always running but I didn't know from whom.

Tears sprung and I couldn't stop them so I just cried silently fearing he'd hear. He's preparing for their midterms and the marriage two days from now took the toll on him too.

I swatted the damn tears but they only streamed down as fast as the last tear drop left my eyes. Then I saw it, the marks on my wrists. I never knew why I had them. They were just there.

So I always assume they were all my doing. Wrists as canvas and blade as brush I'd paint a masterpiece designed in my own blood.