Corruption

Chapter 11: Angst

A/N: The following chapter contains scenes of violence, nudity and mature subject matter and is intended for an older youth audience. I've always wanted to use that disclaimer… But seriously, if any of the above offends you, don't read this chapter. Simple as that.

As per request, I will reveal the tentative name of my novel in the works. It's entitled "The War of Granster". It's pretty much like Lord of the Rings, except more modern and focuses more on overcoming personal struggles. As I said, it's still being worked on, so no details are final. If you wish to keep up to speed, you can check in at my website, which is linked in my profile.

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Blood had an intriguing color to it, like a rich red wine that flowed through your body. Karen couldn't help but to laugh at herself for the strange thought. She had thought that the last thing that went through your mind before you died was a slideshow showcasing your life. Instead, she was thinking about the color of her own blood as she lay in a growing pool of the vital fluid that was slowly draining the life out of her body.

Truthfully, Karen was still in shock that Rick had gone as far as he did. Sure, he had been acting strange lately, but not to that extent. It wasn't until she felt the knife pierce her chest that her naivety was shattered. She had looked at Rick, her eyes wide with terror and pain filled tears. He simple smiled, a cruel, haunting smile, as he jerked the knife loose, raising the weapon to strike again.

It was at that moment that Karen's will to survive kicked in. The bloodied girl launched herself at her attacker, her hands clawing wildly at his face. Rick uttered a string of obscenities as Karen raked her nails across his face, drawing fresh blood. Rick lashed out at her, but Karen stepped away from the knife. She reached behind her, hoping to find something to use to defend herself with.

Rick's smile continued to grow wider as he advanced on Karen, his knife hand twitching in anticipation. The next thing he knew, Karen was swinging a heavy bag of flour at him. Rick took the blow right in the face, smashing in his glasses. Karen lifted the flour above her head, hoping to strike another blow. This time as the bag came down; Rick sliced it open, rendering the weapon useless.

Karen's resistance had lasted for only a few seconds before Rick regained the upper hand with a vicious backhand across his former girlfriend's face. Karen tried to run, tried to escape the nightmare unfolding around her, but Rick grabbed hold of her vest. She tried to break free of Rick's grasp, but he was unwilling to give her the slightest hint of freedom. He stabber her once again, this time embedding the knife into her hip, forcing a terrified cry to escape Karen's lips.

Rick continued his assault for what seemed like an eternity. He was taking great pleasure in using his knife to cut away at Karen's clothing, not having a care about injuring her in the process. Karen begged for him to stop, but Rick would not listen. Rick was tracing his blade across her stomach, opening another cut with every plea for mercy.

Now, as Karen lay on the floor, her long blond hair pasted against her bare breasts, she found herself crying. It was a silent cry, with only her crystalline tears creating raindrop-like splashes as they fell from her sparkling green eyes. She wanted to call out for help but her voice had failed her amid her protests earlier. All she could do was choke back the sobs that racked her body. She was like an angel shot down from the heavens, helpless in the strange presence of death.

She knew that she was dying. It was an odd feeling, much too difficult to be put into words suitable to explain the peculiar event. If anything, it was like a heavy burden had been lifted off her chest. That burden had left a void, empty and lonely, all the while filling her with a gentle calm that she had never experienced before.

Karen closed her eyes, embracing this new feeling. She had always been afraid to die, yet now that she waited on the doorstep to heaven, that fear had left her. All that remained for her was to listen to the drum of her heart growing fainter.

Jack threw his shoulder into the door once again. The door shuddered from the blow, but still refused to break open. "Karen!" His cry was that of a wounded wolf, refusing to give up against the ravaging torment of nature. The farmer took another run at the door, once again getting the same result as he fell back in dismay. Still he plowed forward, ignoring the growing pain in his arm. He had only one thought on his mind: to save Karen.

A crowd had gathered to watch Jack's antics. "What's the matter with him?" One young man asked as he watched the farmer slam into the door once more. He was making progress, but not fast enough.

"I dunno. He keeps shouting out Karen's name. You think that something might have happened between them?" Somebody replied.

"But, I thought that Jack was dating Popuri, not Karen."

"He is, but he's got a huge crush on Karen."

"Oh… maybe we should help him?"

"We shouldn't. Karen probably locked him out of there for a reason."

By now, Officer Harris had shown up on the scene. The only police officer in Mineral Town quickly pried Jack away from the door. "Let me go! Karen needs help!" Jack protested, struggling against Harris' grasp.

Harris leaned over to take a look in one of the windows, "Can't see anything in there. The blinds are closed. What makes you so sure that Karen's even in there, much alone needing help?"

"Just trust me!" Jack shot back, breaking away from Harris. The farmer pushed his way through the crowd, lining himself up with one of the store's windows. Before anyone could stop him, Jack had launched himself through the glass and inside the Supermarket.

He saw Karen's naked body lying on the floor, surrounded by her own blood. Jack was at her side instantly. She was still breathing, very faintly, but breathing nonetheless. He quickly removed his own shirt, draping it over Karen to allow her some decency. The sound of crunching glass told him that someone had entered after him. Officer Harris was soon calling for someone to go get the Doctor. Jack ignored Harris' presence, whispering "I'm sorry" as he gently held onto the girl that he loved oh so dearly.

"Jack…" Karen's voice was barely above a whisper, yet it was the most pleasing sound that Jack had ever heard in his life. Her eyes were just barely open but they were locked with Jack's. Both of them had tears in their eyes, yet neither of them dared to blink. "Karen…" Jack whispered back, his voice quivered as he struggled to choke out her name.

"I guess that I needed a hero after all…" Jack could only nod his head in agreement.

Using what must have been the last ounce of energy in her body, Karen forced herself closer to Jack, surprising the farmer with a gentle kiss. Jack's eyes grew wide with surprise. He wished that he could have been happy with that kiss, but he wasn't. It was a kiss goodbye. Jack looked down at Karen's smiling face. She was struggling to keep her eyes open. It was a valiant fight, but one that she had already lost. "Go peacefully." He told her.

Jack gently rested Karen's head back to the ground before rising to his feet. Doctor Tim was just entering the window and shoved Jack aside. Jack cast a final glance down at Karen before making his way over to the window. "She's dead." Tim announced as Jack let himself out the window.

The crowd looked completely shocked with the announcement. Jack didn't pay any attention to them as he marched past them. He cast a look down at his blood soaked jeans and at his red hands. Right now, there was only one thing on his mind: revenge.

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A/N: No, this fic isn't over yet. There's still one more chapter to come. If you have any problems with me killing off Karen, please express them in a professional manner instead of insults and/or flames. It's just one favor that I ask as a writer. I'll try to make it all better with the ending… or will I? The ending is going to be… dramatic.