Bones Of A Life Once Led

1953

The sunrise highlighted the lake; pinks and reds, a mix of beauty that could not be replicated for it was an art on it's own. 

Noah stood on the bank, a cigarette loosely hanging from his fingers, taking in the magnificent view.
He had taken a brief walk there to clear his mind like he did whenever things were getting too much.
He had a family; a wife, two children, a dog and a white picket fence but the expectations could be too much for even the most fearless man.

He checked his wrist watch.
Work was soon, another thing expected of him.
Everything was too perfect and perhaps the lack of variety was making him this way.
He worked at a local paper, writing about the entertainment in town that week but he wanted more for life.

He flicked his cigarette into the lake, making his way through a path he had made through the heavy foliage of the forest. He took his time, feeling the ground with the tip of his leather shoe as he went along.

All that could be heard were the forest creatures waking from their sleep and the crunch of Autumn leaves and twigs under his feet.
The light breeze caressed the back of his neck.

Half way through his stroll back to civilisation, something in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He shook it off, most likely a shadow or a lone deer.
He began to hum a melody that had been on the radio quite a lot, one he was fond of but he was sure he only fond of it because his wife loved it.

A twig snapped and he went quiet.
It wasn't him, he was sure this time. He picked up a stick for protection, brandishing it in front of him.
"Who is there?" He asked to the wilderness.
Nothing replied, not even a whisper.
Must be an animal.....He thought.
The leaves ruffled, the sound louder now and he turned towards the sound.

A lady stood there; she didn't look older than his nineteen year old daughter, the bottom of her dress shredded and blood dried around her face. Her dark hair was matted and looked as though clumps had been pulled.

Panicked, Noah moved nearer to the lady but she collapsed to the ground like a crumpled marionette.
He knelt beside her, patting her face frantically.
"Help!" He shouted. "Wake up." He pleaded to her lifeless body.

Her skin was ice cold as though she had not been standing moments ago, looking at him with a somber look and sunken eyes. He wanted to find someone but maybe he could wake her. Somehow.
He knew he had to try or the guilt would weigh heavy.
He lifted her head in the crux of his arm, checking the pulse of her neck but to no avail. He compressed her chest but she remained as lifeless as a doll.

A small locket fell from her between her frozen fingers, one he hadn't noticed her holding. It was plated silver and adorned with red decals. A gift to a loved girl, it seemed. It seemed a shame to let such a young life perish.

He stood up and began to run towards the roads. The trees passed in a blur, not caring about anything but this young girl who did not even flinch.
He ran carelessly, his wellbeing was second at the moment. His carelessness proved bad judgement as he got his foot caught in a tree root. A burning sensation in his ankle, a pain he had to ignore.
He breathed heavily, pulling his shoe off, ready to carry on his journey. To save her.
Before he could leave, above him a shadow grew. Maybe his lack of awareness had been his downfall. A man who just wanted to fulfil his expectations despite his own troubles.

When he looked up at the shadow all he saw was darkness. The darkness took him, leaving nothing but a pool of blood and a precious locket in the dirt of a secluded forest.