Thunder roared overhead providing a gateway for a serrated bolt of lightning to strike. Wind rustled the soaked leaves covering the surface of the dark and desolated forest. The ominous storm released a downpour of rain that splattered against the muddy ground. There was an unnatural darkness surrounding the normally sunny afternoon sky. Regardless of the weather, a man was present. Covered in a black trench coat, mud splashed against his boots and jacket. As the fog thickened, the vision of the drenched man blurred. Fallen branches snapped under his feet. Trees swayed back and forth blocking his view of the lake. Another bolt of lightning struck, shredding the sky in half. As the storm grew more intense, he knew he needed to rush and finish the job. He needed to be back before anyone noticed he was gone.
The March temperatures dropped as the storm picked up. The knuckles on his hands turned white with each passing gust of wind. His cold hands were wrapped around the unconscious woman's ankles, and he gave her light body an angered and frustrated pull. The lake was growing close. Through his distorted vision, he could see her chest slowly rising and falling. The last time he checked, her pulse was weak. The lake water would definitely finish her off.
High winds picked up, forcing his trench coat to open. Splashes of rain, mud and grime appeared on his sweater within seconds. He took a firmer grip on her ankles and pulled even harder. Her back left drag marks in the susceptible mud. As he reached the top of the clearing, a wide view of the lake appeared. He just needed to dump her, and then he could be on his way.
The man peered over the hill and smiled down at the dark void that filled the once beautiful lake. Usually sunlight radiated from its surface, but due to the current weather, rainfall splattered against the creek. He dropped her ankles, and cracked his frigid knuckles before lifting her up into his sore arms. From the looks of the scratches and dark bruises appearing on his arms, she'd definitely put up a good fight.
If the drop into the lake didn't finish her off, the water's temperatures surely would. He whispered an apology into her ear before releasing her unconscious body. The big splash signaled her drop. She made contact with the water and her face remained motionless. The water pushed against her from all directions. She was still out cold and couldn't struggle against the forceful waves. Her muscles were relaxed entirely. The open cuts on her face and body began to clear of blood as the water washed it away. He sighed to himself in relief as she began floating away.
The man gathered himself and took off. He ignored the growing storm and ran as fast as his body allowed in the direction of the main road. His car was still parked. As he grew near his car, a sense of relief washed over him. She was gone. There was no way to tie him to her attack. He stepped into his dry vehicle, looked in the rear view mirror and smiled, "Yes." His forehead rested against the stirring wheel. As he started his car, and drove off, he couldn't help but laugh. He got away with it. No one knew…and he had an alibi for the entire day.
-Tiffany.