2021 riverrun Final PDF

I still pushed on. I heard the chugga-chugga sound before the single beam of light
appeared, headed straight for her. She stayed looking at me smiling with that knowing
look, but all I felt was fear. I was not fast enough but I still pushed on. My legs
felt as though they were breaking off, but the shattering of my heart propelled me
further. I stared at her and that wretched car that would stall at random and lock
the doors. All I saw was green and black as the train teared through its path. I was
not fast enough. Soon red was all I saw as pieces of the car showered down around
me. I failed again. With the train coming towards me, I threw myself at it.
*THUD*
Startled, I’m awakened back to reality. Opening my eyes, I am on the floor of
my waiting room and it is pitch black. Coughing a bit to myself, I stand up and
glance over at the clock. It’s eight thirty?!?! I had slept through the evening. I fly out
the door, and quickly lock up the office. I make my way down all the dark alleys with
cracked gravel littered with weeds, only illuminated by one dim light that barely
covers the block. The side streets are covered with old willow trees and are quiet
except for the few stray cats or dogs that walk by closely to see if I offer them food.
When I don’t give them anything, they wander away. I make it to Begonia Blvd, but
it seems as though no one is around. I start walking down the street looking for any
signs of a package with a red bow. The dimly lit sidewalks slightly help, but fail to
light up the surrounding areas. Walking past a bench there is a hint of red. Stopping,
I get on my hands and knees to see a brown briefcase hiding underneath a brown
bench covered in holes. The briefcase has a red bow attached to the handle. There is
also something else sticking out of a side pocket. It is a white envelope with the first
half of payment for the delivery.
Ten P.M.
Far off in the distance, ten chimes ring through the air from the original old
town bell tower located in the center of town. Looking at my watch, I find it to be
later than I had expected. I soon realize that I wasted too much time sleeping and
that looking for the package had taken longer than anticipated. It is too late to make
a delivery, especially while not knowing what I am carrying. The briefcase seems to
be light and it doesn’t make any sounds as I walk. Not wanting to be too nosey, I
continue back down the path that I came, but the dim lights seem to get worse. The
path seems to get darker and more ominous as I get closer to my office. There is a
tense feeling in the air that starts to make the hair on the back of my neck stand on
end as I turn my keys in the office door. Making my way inside, I quickly turn,
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