Quiet mutters surrounded me, impatiently awaiting the sweet sound of the final bell before a week long break would ensue. I bounced my right leg at an alarming speed, the jittery feeling of wanting taking over my nerves. Unfortunately, despite the semi-long vacation, the dread of knowing I still had one group project to do that needed finishing lingered in the back of mind. I frowned, knowing my partner had been absent for the past few days. We had luckily gotten an extension due to her absence, but it frustrated me to not get things done.

When the bell had finally gone and my classmates had cleared the room, I decided to stay back and wait a few minutes for the halls to clear out a bit. It was always a pain to try and open my locker to grab my things when I was surrounded by unknowing and reckless students. The amount of time I had my locker door slammed onto my arm is enough to be worrisome.

After a little while, I gathered my books and binders and grudgingly left the room upon my teacher's rather forceful demand, yet despite that he wished me a good week, and I politely said the same for him. As I walked into the hall I saw that most people left in a rush, as the halls were already starting to feel a bit empty. The students that remained were of grades above mine, one of which I noticed to be slamming her head against her locker while muttering something about a failed assignment. She glanced up at me as I walked past and had said something alone the lines of "it's not worth it" and "just drop out". I nodded slowly and sped up my pace, wincing as I heard her continue to smack her head.

I got to my locker in a short time span, taking hardly any time with opening it and grabbing what I need and disposing of what I didn't. I heard a loud sigh coming from someone approaching the set of lockers across from mine, but I didn't pay any heed to them. I quickly slung my bag over my shoulder and left the school as quickly as my legs could carry me. And so began my long walk home. It wasn't all bad though, I had to walk through a nice forest trail to get home. Though, I unfortunately did have to go rather deep into the woodsy path. It was a funny though, considering my project partner took the same path home. She lived about two blocks away from me, and she hated this path.

Her anxiety always got the best of her, and we hardly ever talked, which proved difficult with our project. One of the few times we did talk, she commented on how eerie the path was, and how the forest surrounding was filled with terrors. She talked about the murders in our area while shaking furiously, it had really startled me. She was on some type of medication that I didn't know the name of, apparently it helped with panic attacks and her overall anxiety or something.

It was always unnerving to be around her.

Not because of her issues or meds, just what she talked about the way she did. She spoke as if she knew of the horrors firsthand.

I hope she's okay.

The quiet sounds of distressed chatter and the snapping of photos being taken caught my attention as I neared the neighbourhoods. I raised an eyebrow and pulled my hood up over my head, keeping my head down. I didn't particularly care as to what was happening, the group didn't sound big and, frankly, it wasn't odd to see a few students shooting short films out here. However, as I got closer, I could feel a lump form in my throat.

"Police officers?" I whispered to myself. There was a large group cops, bigger than what I had originally thought a few mere minutes ago. There was a biker being asked questions nearby and a few police officers created a makeshift path for joggers to pass by without interference. "What the hell happened?" I asked to no one in particular, taking off my hood to get a better view. Police tape covered a large portion of the path and forced me to go around, although I wanted to get closer. I could feel myself start to shake with uneasiness, I had never seen a group of police so urgent and forceful before. I was shoved to the side as someone ran past me to vomit near a tree. It was some random guy, and suddenly I felt afraid.

My curiosity will be the death of me.

I looked around quickly to make sure no one was looking in my genera direction before making my way under the police tape. I was soon noticed, but that didn't stop me from getting a good look at what they were trying to hide.

I felt like I couldn't breathe.

I don't know if the horrified scream was mine or someone else's. I felt lightheaded, and the world around me felt as though it wasn't there.

There was so much blood. Not enough for me to not recognize the anxious girl.

The way the branch punctured through her abdomen. How did she even get that high up in the tree? It wasn't even the only wound. There were so many wounds. Her hair was matted against her blood forehead, and it was a ratted mess. How long had she been this way? What happened.

How did this happen.

My eyes burned, and I forgot how to blink. The image seared itself into my brain and I wanted it to stop. Please stop.

I felt a tug on my arm, and the repetitive sounds of: "Ma'am, you can't be here! Ma'am? Ma'am are you okay?" echoed.

Their voices were there, but they didn't feel real.

I couldn't look away.

I couldn't move.

What was happening?

Why is everyone repeating themselves?

Why am I being so repetitive?

Where am I?

What's that noise? Static? Is there a television nearby?

I don't feel too well.

*Unedited chapter*

As you may be able to figure out, the theme is meant to seem a bit repetitive while also being completely new.

Suggestions, (polite) opinions, and constructive criticism are welcome. This story will be available on my Quotev account as well ( .scxrpio). If it is anywhere else please inform me.

I hope you have a pleasant day.

-A