The music was so loud; my eardrums were close to exploding as we all shuffled out of the boys' dorm. I waited until everyone was out and only then nimbly jumped down from my spot. I hated being trapped in a crowd. Maybe it's different if you're tall, but I'm sure some of you can relate quite well. As we walked out, I couldn't help but notice how the entrance room stank of fresh mud and old wet socks. I wrinkled my nose.
Blech, disgusting.
Just as we were about to leave for the hallway outside, we crossed Mrs. Dougal, our teacher. "Where are you going?" Mrs. Dougal asked. Immediately the music went off. How weird that must have looked: the whole class going outside at one o'clock in the morning. Or, at least it seemed like one o'clock. No one could really tell, because the teachers took away all our phones and watches so we'd "forget time". Slightly annoying, but I could cope. Well, to be honest, it was really nice to be completely free from the claws of social media.
"Uhm, we're going for a jog.", Eddy suggested.
I facepalmed myself and groaned.
That was the stupidest excuse. Ever.
"Okay just don't stay out too long", came the answer. We just stared at our teacher, dumbfounded, but as if nothing special had happened, she went to her room and closed the door. There was a moment of silence. "Did she just actually believe us?" asked Laska. "What?" exclaimed David in disbelief. We didn't question her, we just left. I couldn't help but notice the light scent of alcohol lingering around where she had stood moments before. Uh oh, that wasn't good. Hopefully, no one would find out about this. But hey, what could go wrong? It's Switzerland, right?
When I pushed my way out, I gratefully breathed in the cool night air. It was cold enough, it made the water vapor condense to fog under my breath, sending a shiver down my spine. It was mid fall here in Switzerland, which turned the summery lavish green scenery into a golden red and yellow wonderland. The houses were dark and there was white mist hanging in the streets, disappearing like reaching arms into the nearby forest and giving it a mystical look. I shivered again. Now I was feeling a bit chilly. But the cold shock was just exactly what I needed to wake up a bit. I pulled up my hoodie to warm my ears. I was just thankful it wasn't raining anymore.
"Okay. Go ahead now," called Taylor, who finally had turned down the music. I couldn't find Kat anywhere and I didn't really feel like watching my crush embarrass himself, so I walked off towards the forest. The dim lights gave the forest an eerie, yet intriguing feeling. Are there any wolves out there? I wondered. Probably not. They were all shot by farmers because they attacked the cattle and sheep.
What a shame.
I stood there, lost in my thoughts gazing into the rustling darkness.
"Hey, Jacklyn! " Kat grabbed my shoulder. I jumped. "Holy crap! Don't do that! " She laughed. She knew exactly that I was easily spooked and made it her duty to scare me whenever she possibly could.
"You just wanted to leave me?" "Who, me? Never." We have known each other for over eight years now. Which, considering my age, is a very long time. We've always had a great relationship, even though we fought every so often. It's just part of being close to someone I guess. It's what you do after a fight that makes your bond stronger. Like baking cookies. That's what my mom always made us do.
"Hahaha really funny." She elbowed me. "Ouch!" I exclaimed over dramatically. "Should we go on a short walk? The night is gorgeous and I feel like talking to you." I nodded. "Sure."
We took a path we knew that lead straight into the forest. It was near the road, so we still had enough light to see where we were going. As long as I was with someone I didn't care about the dim light.
As we walked through the forest, the shadows of the trees loomed over us, threatening to swallow us. We heard animals calling and the not so silent wind rustling through the undergrowth.
"So. What do you want to talk about?" I asked innocently. "Oh I don't know. About God and the world. Anything really. Or, how about the challenge I have in mind for my next turn." Kat smiled wickedly at me. "No! I told you not to! Oh come on Kat! No, no, no." Playfully I swung a punch at her.
"Oh yes, yes, yes!" She snickered. "Later, you will be thank- "
She never finished that sentence.
Suddenly a flaring blue light blinded us. I threw up my hands to cover my face and Kat screamed. When I blinked and dared to look again, Kat was staring at me. Then, she collapsed to her side, clutching her stomach. I couldn't see what she was holding because she was turned away from me, but I could see a streak of blood running down her side. Quickly I bent over to see. "Oh my god, Kat! There's an arrow sticking in your side!"
My throat tightened up when I saw it. "Okay, okay Kat! Everything will be fine! Just... don't move. I'll get help."
Shit! Of course, I don't have my phone with me! "Hold on! I will get some help!" Before I could turn away I could hear her quietly cough something inaudible. "Kat?" She rasped it again. Yet I still couldn't hear her, so I kneeled down next to her.
With a strained voice, she whispered to me: "It doesn't hurt."
I kneeled there, dumbfounded.
"What?!" She must be feeling an adrenaline rush that's numbing the pain or something. That's all. Suddenly she gripped the shaft and ripped out the arrow, handing it to me.
I grasped her shoulder desperately. "What the hell are you doing?! Stop it, Kat!" My eyes were wide open in fear and shock, but she just looked at me mildly surprised. She almost looked sleepy.
"I feel... dizzy..." Kat weakly held my arm.
Shit! She must be completely delusional. I better call for help immediately.
I was just about to go get someone to call 144 when a blue glow began to slowly shimmer through her clothes around the wound. Suddenly a pulsating blue light was spreading its way through her whole body like a spider web wrapping around her.
I gasped.
What was happening? Kat gave me a confused look as if she didn't feel anything.
As she opened her mouth to say something, the light started pulsing brighter and brighter through her eyes and her mouth until it swallowed my friend up completely. Then, with one last pulse, it disappeared - along with Kat.
"No! Kaaaat!" I reached out to where she had been just seconds ago, but all I grasped was thin air.
I was left kneeling there, alone.
I couldn't seem to comprehend what had just happened.
All that was left was the bloody, blue, stone-tipped arrow and our memories of her.