I continued running as fast as I could, ignoring the leaves that dug into the skin of my feet and dried branches that scratched at my ankles as I ran past them. My feet hurt but I just ignored the pain. I pushed tree branches away from my face to clear the path before me. Honestly, I didn’t know how long I had been running or how far I had gotten.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of someone calling out to me and I knew without looking back that it was Hayden. So, he had decided to come after me after all. It wasn’t that I cared. This just meant that I had to run even faster. I knew well that Hayden was much fitter and faster than I am, and I couldn’t afford to have him catch up with me.
"Malissa!" Hayden continued calling my name loudly, his voice rang out loud and clear as it echoed through the woods.
I couldn’t tell how close he was to me, but each call felt louder and closer than the one before. He was catching up to me so fast and I felt scared that he would catch up to me soon. I ran forward even faster, sprinting as fast as my legs could carry me. Deep down, I guess I knew that what I was doing was crazy but then again, it wasn’t like I had any other choices at my disposal. Unfortunately.
"Malissa! Stop!" Hayden called out to me again and again.
I didn’t respond as I steeled myself to ignore him and his calls completely. I didn’t want to hear his voice anymore and I didn’t want to see him. I have decided that I didn’t want to see Hayden ever again and I was willing to do whatever it took to get away.
"Malissa! Stop running...it’s dangerous!" Hayden’s voice rang out from behind me once again.
Dangerous? What’s really dangerous is you! I’d rather risk getting lost in the woods than going back to Hayden. I felt like if I went back, I wouldn’t be able to escape from him ever again. I wouldn’t be able to free myself from him...ever...
"Malissa! Stop running now!" Hayden called out to me repeatedly for me to stop.
"Hayden..." I whispered his name in shock.
I reached out and touched his cheek and his arm. The sticky and wet sensation that I felt on my fingertips made me cry out in absolute fear. Hayden is bleeding. Oh god...how did this happen?
"Hayden!" I cried out his name loudly as I began crying.
What do I do? I left my phone in the car. How can I get help?
Hayden is hurt. His head is bleeding and who knows where else he’s hurt. I felt my hands shake as I took his hand into mine and pressed it against my cheek. I was crying so much now, unable to control my tears. What have I done?
"Hayden! Wake up...Hayden..." I cried out to him in between my wrecking sobs.
I need to wake him up. If he doesn’t...I could lose him. I shuffled towards his head and lifted his head into my lap. It was dark and I couldn’t see well. I only prayed that he wasn’t too badly hurt. He was bleeding but there wasn’t so much blood; however, I need to get him to the hospital as soon as possible.
I looked up and could tell that we have fallen quite far from the ground above us. There was no way that I could carry him up there on my own. What should I do? Should I leave him here and go back to the car to call for help? But then, what if something happens to him before I make it back?
--To be continued...