Isaac Lahey #2

The night was too quiet. You walked through the woods, hugging your arms, still angry from the fight with your parents. You needed air. Distance. Anything but to hear more shouting. But the deeper you went through the trees, the more uneasy you felt. As if you weren't alone. You stopped. Nothing. Only the sound of the wind rustling the branches. You walked faster. Then you heard footsteps behind you. Your breath caught in your throat. You whirled around, but there was no one there.

"Hello…?"

Silence. You felt your heart pound in your chest as you slowly backed away. You could have sworn someone was watching you from the shadows. And then you saw him. A boy leaning against a tree a few feet away, almost hidden by the shadows. Dark hoodie, heavy breathing, and his gaze fixed on the ground, as if he hadn't even noticed you until that moment. When he raised his head, his eyes met yours. He looked…exhausted. And yet there was something strange about him. Something intense. Dangerous. You automatically took a step back. He let out a small, dry laugh as he realized it.

“Good job, Isaac,” he muttered to himself. “Scaring people at two in the morning.”

His voice was hoarse, tired. For a moment you thought about running away. But then he looked at you again, this time more gently.

“Relax…” she said, raising her hands slightly. “I wasn’t following you.”