Painted Red

4

We are crouched behind the compound wall... shivering...sweating, surrounded by a cool blanket of plants. Is he going to chase after us?

Moments have passed and there is no sign of him. How can we be sure? I'm anxious. She looks relieved, but still panting and gasping for breath. We smile, with tears in our eyes - not happy, not sad. Is it over?

We decide to get up, to make our way out, carefully. There is no sign of him. My view seems blocked by all the plants in the garden of this house. I hadn't noticed that there were so many. I turn left, and I turn right... plants everywhere. I don't see the gate. Where had we entered from?

We get up on our feet. Suddenly, she tugs at my shirt and gazes at me. It has gotten dirty. I look back confused. She looks down, and then looks back at me. I lose my grip. She appears disoriented. Her white gown has turned red. She is shot... in her left chest. She collapses. I stand there frozen.