Chapter 8: Sins of the Past

Run. I tell myself, "Run!"

Beads of sweat coat my forehead as I run away. I hide behind a tree and hold my breath.

My heart pounds while listening to the approaching footsteps. I close my eyes. I seldom pray. But, this time... I say a silent prayer, hoping that God might save me.

Tears fall from my eyes.

"Merideth, you can do this! You can survive from him again!" I tell myself as I wait patiently for the footsteps to disappear.

I rub my eyes to adjust them to the pitch-black forest. Then, I look around.

"Merideth! You can't run away from your sins forever! You can't run away from the murder you committed!" the person shouts, disturbing the nocturnal insects that are starting to sing.

I gasp.

"How did you know about it?!" I panic. I look around me, observing every movement, and every sound. I have a feeling that I've been to this forest before.

After several minutes, the footsteps move away. I waiting for more minutes.

Then, I begin to crawl, making the least noise and movement possible.

I fall many times and many times I get up and move on. I can taste the sweat dripping from my forehead. The salty taste keeps me awake.

Then, I stop when I stand in front of a rock face.

"Fuck!" I curse silently. It's a dead end. My breathing turns erratic, fearing that this might also be the end for me.

"No! I can't die here!" I cry as I look for a way out.

After about half an hour hovering and searching for a safe place, I find a small crevice. It's narrow, but enough to give me cover until daybreak.

I slowly tuck myself into the narrow crack. And out of exhaustion, I fall asleep.

I am not sure how long it is, but I am awakened by thunderclaps and pouring rain.

I hug myself to ease the cold biting me to death. If I say like this, I will die of hypothermia. I have to do something.

"Think! Merideth, think!" I mutter. Then, lightning rods pierce the night sky, giving me glimpses of my surroundings. My eyes scour the area every time the lightning releases its bolts.

"Gotcha!" I whisper when a bigger cave catches my attention. It's not far from where I am hiding and I can see that it is safe from the heavy rain.

With the lightning as my light, I crawl the muddy forest floor until I reach the cave.

When I am inside, I realize that it's been used by hunters basing on the matches and dry woods. There are also some dry clothes. I thank God for what I find.

"He is still on my side!" I say as I remove and change my wet clothes.

Then, I pile the other clothes to make a more comfortable bed. I choose the most hidden part of the cave to sleep, still afraid that I am being searched despite the downpour.

My body stings from the abrasions and cuts on my knees and arms, but my body succumbs to my exhaustion.

I am awakened by the cold wind caressing my body.

"Oh, it's dawn!" I whisper as I look ay the glistening horizon.

Hope. I have to stay alive. I am sure my brothers will look for me.

I slowly get up. I walk from a distance following the trail. Then, I hear a gunshot! I duck.

"Merideth, I know you're just around! Come out now before I lose my patience!"

I try my best to keep still, even holding my breath.

I run as fast as I can when the footsteps are gone. I run without looking back. My feet feel like having their own wings.

The sun is up, giving me light, and helping me navigate faster. However, it also exposes me to the danger.

Then, I stop when I reach the top of a precipice.

I hear a burst of manic laughter. I turn around and see a gun pointed at me.

"How does it feel being helpless?"

"Why are you doing this?" I ask as I look for an escape route.

"Look down! Look~"

I look down. My stomach churns at the height of the precipice. I try not to vomit.

"Does the height scare you?!"

I close my eyes to prevent myself from throwing up. I swallow hard.

"Answer me!"

I jolt at another gunshot.

"Does it scare you?! How does it feel being helpless?! Answer me or the next bullet will be on your head!"

At this moment, I really feel so scared for my life.

"Please... let's talk about this! Put your gun down!" I beg.

"That's not the answer to my question! Prepare to die!"

I hear the cocking of the gun and then a deafening gunshot. Then, my body feels numb.