A Dark Rose

I didn't stop running regardless of the sharp pains that were squeezing against my lungs each time that I inhaled the crisp winter air.

I couldn't nor would I ever stop running... He was going to kill me this time, I knew that for a fact.

Despite that I knew these woods like the back of my hand, I still felt miles from any roads or humanity as I continued to run in the pitch night- my bare feet scraping against the rough floor of the forest.

My feet were for sure torn apart at this point but my adrenaline was far too high which meant I could barely feel a thing in my current state.

I continued to sprint further through the woods whilst my body began to quiver, wanting to shut down and give in slowly to the cold of the night.

When I heard the sudden gun shot ring out from the distance... It was just enough force to cause me to continue on in quick strides.

I needed to get as far as humanly possible away from that psychotic bastard who hunted me.

Would I ever dare call him that to his face? No. But I sometimes find comfort in knowing that my subconscious wasn't anywhere near as anxious as the real me.

I was for sure going to die this time.

He was going to kill me.

He blamed me for my mother's death... he tortured me for it... but what I done couldn't be helped... I couldn't have changed the outcome that night... but tonight was his final breaking point. The minute I heard the loading of the gun from downstairs I knew I had to leave. Tonight was the night he was going to end me and to be fully honest... I even debated on letting him.

As I continued to run, fearing that my life will soon come to an end... I came to a sudden halt as a bright flash caught my attention from a nearby tree line.

I turned sharply in a panic to see what it was before being met with two dazzling red eyes peering back at me from the distance.

Who the hell has red eyes? Those are some creepy contacts... and to find someone wearing coloured contacts in our small rural town? This had to be a complete first.

"W-Who are you?" I stutter frantically, watching the figure step out from the trees whilst bringing me back to my reality as I stumble backwards slightly.

He was wearing a full black suit and looked like a businessman (not in a good way... more like a mafia drug dealing killer type of businessman).

"Lupin." He stated eerily, introducing himself to me before tilting his head to look me over.

Lupin? I've never met or heard of anyone with a name like Lupin in my life either. He definitely was not from around here.

"W-What do you want with m-me?" I stutter taking a step backwards again, the fear engulfing my body as he smirks down at my 5'2 petite frame.

Thinking to my fathers height, this man must have been roughly 5'11 which gave him the full right to look down upon me.

I was helpless. A stupid, fearful, helpless girl.

I was ashamed of how easily scared I got... but then again, how many girls my age are being chased by their crazed father through the woods with a gun (running into some gangster man wearing bright red eye contacts in the meantime)?

"I can take you far away from here... far away from your father where he can't kill or harm you... all you have to do is take my hand." He tilts his head to the other side before presenting his long bony hand to me as I stare at him wide eyed watching him walk cautiously closer.

My mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water as I watched him... how did he know my father wanted me dead? Who is he? Does he know him well? Maybe this is a set up!

During my thoughts, I jump almost ten feet in the air when I hear the sound of another gun shot - one that now sounded way too close for my liking.

Where could this man possibly take me? Wherever I go my father will probably hunt me down anyway... I would need to go to a completely different universe to escape that man.

But I suppose my life couldn't possibly get any worse if I gave it a shot? Maybe he has a car nearby that could take me away from him and then maybe I could get to the police station? That's if they would even take my story seriously.

But I mean this man could also be a total crazy killer as well... who knows what his intentions for me could be?

"Time is ticking human..." He grinned, as my breathing became irregular at the realisation of my current situation.

Wait?

Did he just call me human? What a way to address someone? I guess now isn't really the best time to be thinking about his random ass word choices...

I couldn't help but think of the amount of time that I was wasting now standing here like a blundering idiot when I could have been running. I could have made it to the village by now... I could have went to the police... but instead I'm stood here frozen in fear staring at this terrifying stranger.

"Dani... I can hear you... I know you're close..." I hear my fathers sing song voice float out from the nearby trees - only causing me to flinch.

He's deranged! There was no use in trying to talk him out of it anymore. All the begging in the world wouldn't stop him from killing me. He hated me.

He won't think twice before shooting me dead when he finds me here... I have about twenty seconds to make a move or else I'll be dead...

"Take my hand and I'll make him go away." The man named Lupin now wriggles his bony fingers, tempting me to take his hand yet again.

How could he possibly take me away from him? I have about ten seconds left before he blows both of our brains out!

The sweat (despite it being cold enough to snow) flowed down from my head in waves. I was a nervous wreck. I couldn't think to hide or run. I was frozen stiff staring at the strange man before me. I couldn't help it... he held me captive with his stare...

My breathing rapidly blew out cold smoke as I stood there panting in desperation.

"There you are you little bitch! Oh and looky what we have here... some creepy fucking boyfriend of yours to help save the day... I always knew you were a pathetic whore that would fuck anything that walks... I mean the age difference doesn't even surprise me either!" My father sneers, glancing between us both in disgust as he taps the side of his shotgun into his palm.

"If you think for a fucking second he will stop me from ending your miserable little life Dani then you're just as stupid and naive as I thought! So say your last goodbyes now sweetheart... before I send you back to fucking hell where you belong!" He laughed insanely, lifting the rifle up to reload it and preparing for his last money shot....

My heart pounded rapidly and I felt physically sick seeing my father preparing the gun. I quickly glanced back to the man still stood beside me. I briefly noticed that he wasn't scared at all by my fathers presence let alone from his gun...

Instead, the strange man named Lupin slowly bowed his head and gestured down to his still, outstretched hand which he silently tempted again for me to take and this time... without a second thought...

I grabbed it.

At the same time,

I see my dad pull the trigger and the bullet directly shoots at me

Bang!