Snowflakes floated down onto the pathway, and covered up the incriminating evidence. The chilling wind was making the snow dance around in circles and that too covered the footsteps and blood.1

Shadows covered the path and left the smallest patches of light alone, as if in fear of the light. A single figure moved, careful to tread in the darkest shadows and leave the grey and white alone.
The figure’s breathing quicken when he saw the patches of blood he had left behind. He sprang into the snow and covered his bloody footprints. His brown hair stuck to sweaty forehead as he thought what would happen if he was caught.2

3

He imagined his foster mother screaming about how it would damage her reputation as an angel at raising children. She wouldn’t care about what he did as long as it didn’t damage her precious reputation.4

He stood up and observed how well he covered the blood, it wasn't done very well. He shrugged nonchalantly and started to sprint, and wondered about how far a head start he got. The people were definitely capable of discovering the blood soon. But how soon?5

He ran and ran without stopping, his speed constant, he dodged the trees, leapt over fences, weaved in between the tall grass. Oh, he would do anything to get away from the scene.6

He finally stopped when he reached the river. He collapsed in a heap and crawled to the edge of the river and forced himself to get up. He had barely the strength to stand, so knelt by the bank and sent his hands into the clear and clean river. 7

He held the water in his cupped palms and attempted to splash his face with water. The moment the water came in contact with his eyes, he screamed and shrieked. His hands rubbed at his slightly opened eyes and grasped at his face, he tried to the numb the pain, but it wouldn’t work. The pain hurt so much, he couldn’t even scream, all that came out from his mouth were hoarse cries. He was on the edge of the river, rolling dangerously close to the so-called clean river. 8

While the pain slowly ebbed away, he finally noticed the sign to the left of him which had clearly printed the fact that the river contained small grains of salt that the eyes couldn’t see.9

The boy raised a palm and hit his face with it. He started to mentally lecture himself about how stupid he had been and how much time he had wasted. He moved to the back of a giant tree and started to climb it.10

Bark clung to his clothing while insects flew around face taunting him to take both arms off the tree to swat them and then fall to his death. He pulled himself up to the top branch and examined the many scratches and bruises he had received from the tree. 11

Suddenly, he heard something that made his blood freeze, he slowly swivelled his head to the right and peered down, he heard the footsteps crackling branches, he heard a breaking noise, and he swung his head to the left. The branch he was on was about to break. 12

In an instant he threw himself across the gap as the branch started to fall. He nearly screamed as he clung to the tree trunk, in fear of falling to his death.13

Tears were streaming down his face and he could taste a something that reminded him of copper. He opened his mouth and tried to peer down his nose to see what was on his tongue. 14

It was blood. 15

He had bit himself as he successfully stopped himself from screaming and giving away his position. He peered down and stiffened in shock. 16

“Come out little boy,” snarled the man, “I promise it won’t hurt, I saw you covering up the blood. Not very smart of you. I’m sure your twin brother would be proud of you if…he was still alive.” 17

The man let loose a soft chuckle, kept his head down, and raised his gun, pointed it up and shot. 18

“I saw you.” He spoke in a mocking tone. “Too late.”19

 
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