Snow Runs Red

The bullet went right through his skull. She watched as the man who pulled the trigger run from them into the forest. Her body was frozen as she looked back to her friend. She watched him fall in slow motion, hitting the ground with a thud.

Her breath finally came back in short spurts leading to a curdling scream. She fell to her knees with panicky hands hovering over his body.

“Caleb?” She whispered, holding back a sob. Caleb’s mouth was agape with eyes wide. Unable to contain, she sobbed into his chest. “I’m so sorry, Caleb!”

Crowded noises came closer as she clutched his shirt tighter. People would think she did this. Tears streamed harder down her face.

Her cheeks started to feel numb from crying. She brought her hand to her face. Wiping down the tears from her cheeks to her mouth. She then wiped her tears on Caleb’s face.

“I won’t ever see you cry or smile or laugh again,” she sputtered out weakly.

A chill went through her as she had this realization. Her lips quivered, teeth chattering. She looked around and people were now surrounding her and Caleb. To cease her crying she looked up to the sky to see snow falling. A twitch of a smile started to surface. Maybe a new beginning, she thought. Looking back to her fallen friend, she took in the full picture of the blood surrounding his head. The snow wouldn’t be enough to cover the blood left behind.