First Short Story
This is a story I wrote for a writing competition between a good group of schools of which I came in 14th place. It was the best time in my life and I loved it. I went on to the next round but didn't make it past that, but I hope to do it again next year. I have 5 more from competition and a lot from practice, so I do intend on posting those. I hope you enjoy them!
Prompt
Left behind. Use this as the central theme of your story.
Don't Worry
I run at a fast pace, breathing heavily. I try to keep up with everyone else, but they're too quick. I soon trip on the rugged pavement, the thud of my body hitting the ground echoing through the street. I look up to see if anyone saw me, but not one head turned.
I push myself onto my feet and attempt to run, but at least five people are behind me. A hand seizes both of my arms with a steel grip. I struggle, but it's futile. The hands grasping my arms push me towards a door. I have no idea what's on the other side, but I think I can safely assume it's not good. My stomach knots as we approach the door, fear coating my mind.
The door opens and all I see is pure darkness. I'm pushed in by the hands that restrained me and I hear it slam and lock behind me. Any trace of light, outdoor or artificial, is gone, and I'm alone. Or so I assume.
"They left you behind," a voice calls out, though I can't hear where from. "It happened to me, too," the voice continues, and I hear footsteps coming my way.
"Who are you?" I muster up the courage to ask.
"Gerard. I'm the only one left in here, so would you care to tell me who you are?"
I hesitantly respond, "Silvia. What do you mean you're the only one left here?"
"They were chasing me when I fell behind. None of my so called 'friends' even tilted a head in my direction. I've been stuck here around five months now from what I can tell," Gerard replies.
"Where do you get food or water? What about sleeping? It's freezing in here," I question.
"Never mind that, it's not important at the moment. But something that is, is a plan I have, and you can help me," he says, and I feel a hand grab my shoulder and lead me to a small light source.
"What are you doing?" I ask, my eyes adjusting to the barely visible light.
"Stand on this ledge, and I'll boost you up," he says, though it doesn't quite answer my question. I can see the ledge he's talking about, though just the slightest bit, and do as he requested.
"Okay, there's a small window up there. When you get out, open it, find the door and open it as well, and follow me," he says. I nod and manage to climb out with Gerard's assistance. I pull it open and jump out, landing painfully on my ankles. I cringe but hobble over the door and open it.
Gerard comes out and blinks a few times, eyes adjusting to the dim light of the evening. "Come on," he says and starts walking down the street.
"Where are we going?" I question.
"I think the people who left us didn't really leave us, I think they knew the people we're all running from wouldn't bother to hurt us- they just left us in that room. So I think the ones who left us were keeping us safe, actually," Gerard states, his voice laced with the excitement of not being abandoned totally. "That being said," he continues, "they haven't come back for us, which they most likely would. So we're going to find them."
"So we're going on a whim for a possibility?"
"Precisely," he states while continuing to walk.
We get to a field, a concrete, fence-like wall enclosing part of it. Gerard and I walk towards it, and I begin to fear what's on the other side. "Don't worry, it'll be okay," he whispers, though it doesn't calm my nerves. We get to the fence and I peer over to see what exactly is on the other side. I promptly clamp my hand over my mouth to prevent the scream that's formed in my throat from erupting.
Blood stains some mats that have been placed instead, and both my friends and many unfamiliar faces lay unconscious, but most likely dead by the smell. Gerard's eyes begin to mist- his friends must be here to- but he blinks away any forming tears and climbs in. I follow.
I feel like I'm about to cry when I hear a scream from Gerard, and then nothing. I spin around to see him laying lifeless among the other corpses. I turn to see who did it, only to be met with a striking pain in my head. I fall to the ground, my life slipping away, when I hear a voice say, "Don't worry, sweety, they never left you. It's more like you left them, but don't fret, you get to stay with them forever now. Goodnight, Silvia."
I hope you enjoyed this type of post. I'll link my video once it's posted so you can see the accompanying makeup look.