Part Six: A Memory

It felt like they’d been running forever, their lungs burning with a combination of exertion and years of misuse. Even though it started like any other night, somehow they found themselves running through the woods parallel to the road they’d taken to get to the party.

“I think we have to stop. I can’t go on anymore.”

“And do what? They’re still behind us. If we stop running who knows what will happen.”

“It feels like we’re going to die either way. I can’t breathe.” As if to demonstrate this point, they bent over, hands on their knees, the only sound for miles that of crickets and two out of breath teenagers.

“How did this happen? I thought we were having fun.”

“Yeah me too. But you never know with them. One minute you’re laughing like old friends, the next-“

“You’re running for your life.”

(A twig snaps in the distance. Both teens stand at high alert, one signaling silence to the other. They wait a moment.)

“We can’t stay in here forever. Maybe we should walk on the highway and someone will pick us up.”

“That doesn’t sound safe at all. It sounds like guaranteed abduction. And I don’t know about you but I’d like to finish my senior year.”

“Then you tell me: how do we make it out of here alive?”

(The pair stare at each other in the darkness. No one has an answer. Before they can start walking again they hear another twig snap and a rustle of clothes. A gleeful voice answers the question still hanging on the air.)

“I don’t think you do.”