Chapter I: Rain Drops and Blood

Rain poured down outside the shop window, raindrops pelting the glass and pavement. The girl adjusted her hood before turning to the shop owner.

“Henry, I’m leaving,” she said, zipping her coat.

“Okay, thanks for stopping by,” the older man responded. Henry had always been like a grandfather to Jaci and she loved hanging out in his shop. The smell of books and coffee mixed perfectly; enough to make her want to fall asleep in the back window seat.

She smiled. “I’ll stop by tomorrow and help you sort the new books.”

He nodded, tossing a rag into the back sink. “Maybe you could help with the coffee then too.”

Her grin widened. “I will.”

She gripped the cold metal handle on the door, preparing herself to step out in the torrential downpour. With a deep breath, she pulled the door open and stepped out into the rain.

She quickly made her way down the street, stopping at the crosswalk. She squinted, trying to make out the flashing neon green man across the street.

“I can’t even see to cross the street,” she muttered, barely hearing herself above the rain.

She looked around once more, trying to see through the white sheet of falling rain. Seeing nothing, she stepped off the sidewalk and into the street. She quickened her steps, trying to get across as fast as possible.

And then she saw it. Blinding white car lights not more than a few feet away. She tried to move but her feet were planted in place. She couldn’t even breathe. In those few, short, split seconds, her heart stopped being.

And then it hit. It felt like she’d been slammed against a wall by a dumptruck. She felt the air leave her lungs and she heard the sickening snap of ribs. Her eyes flickered shut but just for a second, shooting back open as the pain hit.

It hurt so bad. She could feel the bones sticking through the skin in her side. She could feel the blood trickling down her face and into the running water. She could hear herself breathing, but with every intake, more intense pain stabbed through her.

She closed her eyes.

I want to die. She thought.

She’d never thought that before.

Let me die.

She was begging.

Please, let me die!

Why was she begging for death? Jaci had never begged for anything but had merely settled for what she had. She’d never asked for death nor wished that it would take her. She loved her life. But why? Why was she now begging for it to come like the sweet silence after a fight or the hug from a loved one after something happens?

Her body shook, muscles spasming.

“Die,” she muttered.

The last words she remembered before her mind finally went blank.

The last words she ever said.

Unfortunantly for her, it wan’t the last breath she’d take.