Secrets

Chapter 1

"Could it get any hotter?" I ask, puffing. "Let's hope not," Ada laughs. My friends nod in agreement. I smile and grip my bike handles. A bead of sweat rolls down my cheek. It was the hottest time of year, summer and it was really annoying. We turn the corner,  we are now on the foot path. Just as we are about to go down the lane. Hunter stops in his tracks. I look at him confusedly. He staring down the side of an alley way. "I dare Autumn to go in there," He says. I let out a gasp. "No way!" I refuse. "Come on Autumn, you're such a chicken!" Jasper teases. I roll my eyes. "Fine!" I choke out. "You have to come with me." I couldn't stand the thought of being in a dark alley alone. I force myself to start biking, my friends follow behind me. I glance around. It is quite dark. I feel my Nyctophobia trigger. Nyctophobia is severe fear of the dark. A few buildings are beside the alley, light is seeping through the entrances. Pieces of trash is littered around and there are some dustbins located further up. I shudder, feeling scared. 

I see a dark shape in the corner of my eye. More darkness. I take a breath, trying to stay calm. Screams split the air. Horror fills me and my stomach drops with dread. I look over at my friends, who have the same mirrored expression as me.  I look in the direction of the person's, screams. There is someone wearing a black ski mask, black boots and a black jumper who is pushing a woman against the walls and holding a knife to her throat. "Lets go!" Ada whispers. "No, it's too late. They will notice us," Jasper says. "Over there!" Hunter points towards the dustbins ahead of us. I shove myself towards one of the bins.

My breaths are shallow and I am gripping onto my bike and holding my nose with a finger. The putrid smell of trash fills my lungs, I fight the urge to run away. Tears are rolling down my face and I hold Ada's hand tightly. I am also shaking in fear. I knew this was a bad idea. I look through the cracks, I can't see too well but the person is moving the knife closer towards his victim while her wails echo across the alley. I notice the man wearing the ski mask has an inky tattoo of a python on his arm. I watch closer and the man moves his arm, knife poised at the Lady's neck. I close my eyes and force myself not to look. There's a loud thud, I open my eyes. The lady's body lays limp on the ground motionless and lifeless. "She's dead," I whisper quietly. Fear fills me. Even though I knew nothing about her I felt great sympathy for this stranger. "Let's go," Hunter urges. I nod and shuffle along. A crunching noise rings in my ears. I look down in fear to see a candy rapper underneath Jasper's shoe.