[Disclaimer: Art above doesn't belong to me! Credit to the artist! ^^ (Also, I know, its Six from Little Nightmares, but when I found it while browsing fanart for the game, it seemed to fit too well not to put up there lolll XP)]

Genre: Mystery(?), Thriller(?), Ambiguous(?) [It's so hard to "genre-ise" (ha) short stories TwT]

Date written: 23rd May 2020

(Lazily, added to and) Edited: 9th November 2021

[ WARNING: This gets ever so slightly dark and very weird towards the end. Just a friendly warning :D ]

I don't really like this very much; it was super rushed because it was a piece of schoolwork i had to write (the unedited version at least lol) in like half an hour or something and coming up with ideas takes a lot of time for me, especially if it's on the spot -- but here you have it, I guess.. v(o.o)v

[TO BE PROOF-READ]

<><><><><><><><><><>

I sprinted through the lifeless streets of an unnamed city, turning at every corner I stumbled upon, using every small, passable opening to my advantage.

No light. No sound but the harsh slapping of my bare feet onto the wet pavements, and the harsh rain stabbing onto the ground like a shower of a thousand needles, my heart thumping like a hammer in my chest.

The loud caw of a crow through the dead silence startles me, and I stop abruptly for a second -- just a second -- before managing to shake it off and keep moving.

The echo of the predator's screeching cry rings loud in my ears, as I lose sight of my surroundings, running through an endless void of wet darkness. I squint, trying to see through the thick blanket of -- well, nothing -- wrapped around me -- as though in a tease. I was cold, I know. Thanks for that, darkness.

I can hear nothing now, as my ears seem to deafen into mute mode; hear nothing but the screaming of my incompetent legs practically begging me for rest. Feel nothing but the endless pain in my heart -- think of nothing but the contradiction I currently felt considering my own life choices.

Stop. Run.

Goddammit.

I'd just tripped over yet another street bump as I veered off onto the silent road, when the distant sound of sirens graced my ears with their pretty notes and beautifully pitched screams. It used to sound okay when they weren't directed towards me.

A sudden surge of adrenaline rushed through my veins as I stumble over my own two feet, scrambling to run faster -- letting out rough yells that almost sounded maniacal, urging at my body to hurry up and just move. Move. Move.

The iciness from the puddles beneath my feet didn't feel cold anymore -- another substance warmed them -- as my soles bled, deep red substance staining the streets, marking the trails of a runaway.

My adrenaline didn't last long.

Almost as suddenly as it had come, the sudden power within me dissipated, and fatigue overwhelmed my body. Clutching the worn, leather bag to my chest, I stumbled and tripped, my own muscles feeling like dead weights beneath my skin. Rain mixed in with my sweat, and my hair was plastered onto my face so securely that I felt as though I'd rip my flesh if I tried to peal the strands loose.

A cold shiver ran up my spine as my sprinting finally slowed to a stump, bile threatened to burst up my throat, and I almost choked. My arms relaxed as I let the bag fall onto the ground with a splat, the last of my willpower leaving me as the headlights of a car pool over my wretched state. Blinded by the sudden glare of harsh lights — countless voices made my head pang and my legs give way. I couldn't move. I couldn't move another inch.

But...I protected it for all this time...

At least...

A weird sensation coursed through my veins and stopped at my heart.

...Relief?

Th -- they've come for me...finally...

...I can...I can finally hear sounds other than the disgusting rasping of my own breath...

Ha...Haha!

A loud honk almost ripped my soul from my body.

But apparently...Death wasn't ready for me yet...

My eyes welled as I lay there helplessly; cold, bitter, a walking corpse. A dead (but still quite alive) diseased animal.

They've come for me at last...I'm finally free...

Finally free of that pain...

I let out a weak cheer that must've sounded like nothing else but the sound of a dying monkey, as I finally close my eyes in silent relief...

<><><><><><><><><><>

~ You have reached the end of the story. Hope you enjoyed! ~

Ew, what on earth was that ending? It made no sense --

Have a cookie 🍪

AN: Watchu think? Was it good? Was it bad? Was it terrible? Was it okay? Weird? Interesting?
...Personally, I'm not very fond of this one. It's old and terrible and weird, but I kinda like the concept anyway-- TwT

Anyway, thanks for reading! Have another cookie :3🍪