“ The Chase” by Tara O’ Connor
I am alone, or so I thought. There is an old wooden bridge leading to the woods. Once I cross I cross there is no turning back. Running, I reach the bridge, my feet pounding against the hardwood. Rushing through the forest, the sky behind me quickly starts melting into pinks and purples. Birds are talking to each other in sing-song voices above as if everything is okay, but it is not. A cool fall breeze is pushing me forward. The sun is setting, as the sky begins to darken. A quiet hum of crickets starts to grow louder and louder. I run behind the nearest tree. As I skid to a stop, my soft silk dress pushes onto my skin. Grabbing hold of the rough tree bark I pull myself to it. The sun had set. There is no turning back now. The comforting sun has disappeared, and I can see almost nothing. I hear faint footsteps, they get louder and louder and closer and closer. I start to run. The smell of old wet leaves reaches my nose before I can stop it. The taste of fear fills me up as I pick up my pace. Hearing voices, I start pushing myself as quickly as I can. Finally, the voices come to a hush. I look around nothing about where I planted myself was comforting. The sun was gone and the sky was cloudy. Shadows from trees stretched themselves around me. As I try to escape their grasp I trip and fall to my knees. Panting I know I have to get up... or they will find me. Once that happens there is no thought for survival. Deciding to look where I am, I find the nearest tree and start up. Halfway to the top, my dress is caught on a branch. I pull it, but it will not come. Tugging harder, it finally comes loose. Letting go of my dress I notice it was ripped. My mom is going to kill me, I thought to myself. That was when I could hear it, a ear-piercing scream. Not an animal, not a boy. This was a girl, and not just any girl. My sister. I jump down to follow the noise. I run, the leaves that have fallen off the trees were waiting for me to pound them. The screaming becomes louder. My heart beats faster. The screaming stops all the sudden. I stop. I walk back and forth looking, listening. Nothing. The smell of lilac grows stronger. Then suddenly something warm grabs my shoulder. I spin around. There stands my sister, Julie and cousin, Eric. Julie lets go of my shoulder and starts to giggle.“ Tag you’ re it!” she laughs. They run. I chase.