It's a child... A young boy, surely not more than seven years old. Bright blonde hair and pale skin, eyes closed so I can't see what color they are. But, the fact that it's a child is not what shocks me, the surprising thing is his poor condition. The boy looks like he has been recently attacked by a pack of hungry wolves; badly bruised and bleeding from several places. His skin and clothes are dirty and, stained with dirt and some traces of dry blood. Panting, he staggers forward as he moves tree branches out of his way, looking behind him as he struggles to keep himself moving. He loses his footing and shouts quietly as he falls to the ground, making me step out from behind the tree on impulse as I help him up, or at least try to. His eyes widen when he feels someone's touch and he pulls away sharply, his back roughly hitting the ground as he tries to get away from me. He shuffles backward until he comes in contact with a tree. He leans against it, panting heavily and gazing at me warily.
I get up and walk towards him gently, holding out my hand to him while he looks at me with fear in his eyes.
"Hello there, little kid," I say to him softly, smiling at him and slowly advancing towards him. His gaze is still wary but he doesn't run away from me. I place my hand on his head, patting it softly and I see his shoulders relax slowly. I come to my knees by his side on the ground, my eyes scanning did body, ensuring the absence of any fatal injuries. "Are you okay?" I ask softly, reaching for his head and pulling him close to me, watching him squirm around, making weak attempts to get out of my grasp. While inspecting his face, I notice his eyes begin to well up with tears as he struggles more.
"Hey. It's alright. I won't hurt you." I say in a soft tone, trying to soothe him while hugging him softly and patting his head. His squirming decreases and finally stops. I look down at him and find him looking into my eyes questioningly, his blue orbs searching my brown ones, seemingly trying to figure out whether to trust me or not. I give him a warm smile and a moment later he shuts his eyes tightly and clings to me, crying into my chest and his tears soaking through my blouse.
It takes me a moment but I eventually realize something. This child was running from something... or someone. He must have been chased here. So if I don't take him and leave I will probably have to meet the people chasing him... And I don't think I want that.
I pick him up gently, carrying him in my arms and walking back to where I left my bicycle. Once I get back to the city, I'll take him to the hospital and then find his parents or guardians. He is way lighter than I expected so I don't have any trouble carrying him. Mounting my bicycle I begin to hear heavy footsteps coming towards us. Those must be the people who were chasing him. I've wasted enough time so I hurriedly ride back down my bicycle path to get to where I left my car. If I can leave soon enough, I might be able to escape without being seen.
If I can just make it through that small, rocky valley quick enough then I'll be safe. My hopes of leaving without being seen some crumbling down when I hear a pointed shout directed at me.
"Hey! You! Stop!" A gruff male voice yells out. Looking behind me I see a bunch of muscular men running towards us, most with guns in hand.
I turn back around, facing ahead of me once more and pushing myself to be ride even faster while tightly gripping the handlebars to ensure I don't lose control. The shouts contain to ring out behind me but despite the obvious physical fitness of the men chasing us, I'm able to ride at a safe distance ahead of them for two reasons.
1. I'm on a bicycle and I'm good with it and;
2. I know this forest like the back of my hand.
Making my way around trees and maneuvering through the forest comes easy to me. I think I might be able to do this, I'm almost to the valley, and if I can get through I'll be home free.
Suddenly, something I haven't considered happens. I hear a loud bang, somehow louder than anything else in the forest as a deafening ring goes through my ears. Gasping, I begin to feel a sharp pain in my right shoulder accompanied by the feel of a warm liquid spreading across my chest. Looking down, my eyes widen in horror and the boy in my arms gapes at me, terror written across his features.
Blood.
The thick warm red substance thoroughly staining my brown shirt is blood. I've been shot. My vision becomes slightly blurry as I feel my grip on the handlebars loosens. I feel my consciousness begin to slip away from me. I look at the bit in my arms, giving him a sad, apologetic look but he only gives me a look of determination instead.
I gasp again, feeling an odd newfound strength filling my body, urging me to keep forward. The evening pain in my shoulder fades and my vision begins to have a red tinge. I look down at the hot curiously but find him burying his face in my chest, getting some of my blood in his hair, and hiding his facial features from me.
Don't worry. I will save you. I promise.
With the strength of my newly made promise and the sudden burst of energy I received, I ride faster than I've ever ridden before. It feels as if time itself had stopped around me and there was only me and the boy. I feel the bicycle jolt off the ground and the gears and chains break apart. Before I can even think, I'm on my feet and running. Running faster than should be humanly possible. This new power feels strange, alarming even but it also feels good... almost intoxicating. I can't hear the footsteps of men anymore, I can't hear their shouts, I can't even hear the sound of my own breathing.
All I can hear is my heartbeat and the heart of the young child being cradled in my arms. The child I promised myself I would protect and the child I will surely protect.
At this moment, Michelle Richardson swears to protect this or with everything I have. Until my dying breath.
I'll protect you.
I promise.