Carryl's P.O.V
The cold bitting wind, slapped across my face stinging my nose and skin. Another branch tore another part of my skin but the pain barely registered. I could not afford to slow down or even glance back, now was not the time for weakness. I rounded another huge tree not even wasting my energy cursing the usually large trees. I finally caught sight of Sam and Gregory. Gregory was in the lead and was basically dragging Sam along. Despite the punishing speed he was forced to endure he did not break his stride and neither was I going to.
'Not too long now', I thought , more like hoped. For all we knew we could have been heading in the wrong direction and the only thing we would find was the edge of a cliff we would be undoubtedly pushed past. I heard panting behind me and I hoped to God it was Jackson and his girlfriend. My heart went out to the girl but this was not the time to slow down or worry about anyone else. If it wasn't them, then they were already dead and I would be joining them soon.
I felt a sharp stone embed itself into my foot and the piercing pain had my eye watering I faltered but picked up my pace a second later. I needed to be alive to feel pain. All this running would have been a waste if I were to die now. Finally the marked stone came into view. It was almost over. With renewed energy I ran faster but not even a second later I saw Sam and Gregory get tackled to the ground and dragged into the bushes all in one breath. I did not get a chance to react before a body slammed into me and the both of us rolling into the opposite shrubs.
I did not have the energy to fight whoever this was. Every ounce if strength I had ,had been used to get this far. I closed my eyes unwilling for the last thing I saw to be my murderer's eyes.
"Baby, are you okay?" his voice called out to me and I couldn't stop a tear from slipping. Even in my last moments my mind still sought comfort from him.
"Carryl! Open your eyes" the voice was followed gentle taps on my face.
I opened an eye as if that would somehow be better, as if it would somehow limit the damage I would behold. Park's muddied face came into view. Even now, wornout and dirty his face held such appeal, it was honestly unfair. It was then it hit me a full minute later that Park was actually present. He looked like he had been through hell but had somehow conquered the demons, I did not have to look in the mirror to know I looked like a demon had chewed me up and spit me out. Tears were now freely streaming down my face, relief seeping through the solid sheet of shell shock that had encased my entirely being.
I threw my hand across his neck pulling him to me and tightening my grip until my arms started to hurt. He did not pull away from me even though it had to have hurt. I did not want to let go, I was terrified he would dissipate the moment I did. He held me until I had relatively calmed down. Before repositioning himself so that he could look at my face without completely breaking my grip.
" Just a few minutes baby and then we will be in the clear. Just hold on in and don't make a sound. I will be right back."
I wanted nothing more than to protest but I was aware of our situation enough to know even the few minutes that I had held onto him could cost us our life. I nodded head to the ground. I hated for the last thing for me to see to be him walking away from me.
"It going to be okay." I whispered to myself not even for a second believing it
Graduation day.
"Woohoo! I can't believe I am done with that. I can finally be a free responsible adult."
Sam shouted at the top of his lungs and I was immediately greatful we had the restaurant to ourselves. The presence of other people would have hardly stopped him. Gregory had been a bad influence on him.
"You responsible! That would be the day." I retorted in a much softer tone.
He slapped my arm and I turned to Eli pouting pretending to be Injured. Eli place a kiss on my lips then pulled me into to a hug while making soothing sounds. She had gotten used to my immaturity around Sam. At first she and Park got jealous even though they knew he had Gregory and I was sure they would do something as stupid as forbid me to see him. However, at some point they gave in and allowed us to be. There was no way I would view Sam in a romantic light and maybe they sensed it too. He was more of a brother to me than anything else.
The servers choose that time to appear, platters of food in hand. Platter after platter spotting different kinds of food until the three tables that had been joined for us were filled with food. Park and Eli had gone all out with out meal and my friends could not hide their glee as the fell onto the food with the fervour of a starving kitten. I took a large piece of steak and placed it on my plate along with carbonara. Eli's hand smoothed over my back but I could not be bothered to look at her moaning instead at the explosion of flavor in my mouth.
The meal was as delicious as it was filling. After the meal were taken to the upper floor of the building. That was the highlight of the evening and the meal paled in comparison with the party room. Eli and Park must have hired a party planner and given the planner an unlimited budge because the place looked stunning. It was black and gold themed, the official colors of our school. There was a dark and white chocolate fountain and Jackson was already dipping into the dark one and Sam was in the white one. There was a huge tower of cake encased in glass with a 'happy graduation Carryl' written in embarrassingly large letters for all to see.
It wasn't long before our friends and former classmates streamed in with their plus ones. Jackson's date finally arrived and I had to admit they made the hottest couple. The girl was a classic beautiful with lushious blonde hair and deep blue eyes. Her face consisted of high bone structure over soft skin that had a magical appeal. According to Jackson, they had met at one of his movie auditions and had hit it off immediately. They had both gotten the parts and I for one could not wait to see thier chemistry on screen.
The party progressed into the night and not a single dull moment. At around midnight Park had the music halted and declared it was time for cake. I was pretty hammered by then and all i did was stare hungrily at his face as he made a short speech. I heard nothing he said but cheered when I heard people cheering. I was handed a huge slice of cake and some apple juice and then led to a chair. After an hour break I was back to wrecking havock on the dance floor along side my compatriots for past four years and best friends.