Face of Temptation

         I stood, arms trembling, darkness surrounding me. How could this have happened? This was the question that was echoing through my mind, growing louder until a loud droning sound was all I could hear.
         Everything was a blur; all the things that had led up to this moment were clouded as if I were standing in a thick fog. I can’t take back what I have done and a part of me is sorry. I know deep in my heart that I couldn’t have stopped myself. I was never strong enough.

         Standing in the rain, all I could do was wait. Water dripped down my face, vision blurred by the heavy drops. There was nothing in sight. My brown hair, messy and tangled, stuck to my wet face. I pulled my blue woolen jumper over my hands to shield myself, even if it was not by much, from the chilling wind. Looking down at my watch, my patience was starting to wane. The bus was late. I don’t think I ever knew a time when the bus actually arrived on time. If it isn't here soon I will be late.
         I stared down the road. There was no bus; all that could be seen was the hazy image of a car as it approached. The vermilion vehicle, glowing from the streaming water, made a stop right in front of me.
         I stared as the driver slowly wound the window down, his messy brown hair blowing in the slight breeze.
         “You need a lift?” His grey eyes were emotionless as he waited for a reply. I had seen this guy around, he was in my classes, but he had never spoken to me before.
         Slowly I nodded and made my way through the open door. The car took off. The wheels squealing with anticipation. The car was in motion, the speed setting me free.
         “Brace yourself for the ride of your life,” his words were tempting as I watched the scenery blur in front of my eyes.

         A hot flush moved through my body. His warm hands caressing me, covering my body. His soft lips against mine. Time had now become a blur. The hours melded into the days, days into weeks, weeks into months, time had no relevance in my life as long as I was with him.
         It all started out as innocent fun. There was something about this guy that I could not tear myself away from. He stroked my face, his smooth hand warm and sweaty. His very touch sent an adrenalin rush through my body.
         I knew that this was wrong, but I could not stop myself. As long as he was with me, I could do anything, he was assuring me that we weren’t doing anything wrong and I believed him.
         He pushed away from me, reaching for a piece of fruit, his calm expression looking me up and down. Slowly he took a bite from a scarlet apple. “What will you do for me?” Slowly moving his hands towards me he offered me the apple.
         “Anything,” my breath heavy and fast as I took the apple.
         I could only get lost in his eyes nothing else mattered. My friends and family were always warning me to stay away from him. I had to try and reason with them. I had to make them see what I saw.

         “You can’t do this anymore,” a voice warned. The surroundings were familiar but I knew I did not belong here anymore.
         “Don’t tell me what I can’t do,” I screamed, they didn’t want to listen to me.
         They were trying to keep me away from him; everyone was trying to keep me away from him. They did not know how I felt. How would they know? He wanted me. I was going to be with him. He was the only one who cared for me.
         “He is bad news.”
         “Leave me alone,” slowly I brought my hand back and hit my friend right in her face. I did not know what I had done. Watching as if it was playing in slow motion as she fell to the ground.
I started to run. I had to talk to him. He was going to tell me everything was going to be alright. He was the one that would understand. Everything would be alright when I was with him.

         His appearance looked calm as I approached. He listened intently as I explained what I had just done. In a quick movement he pulled me close to him. His firm body gave me little comfort this time.
         “Hey don’t worry,” he spoke in my ear, his voice barely above a whisper. His hand tightly secured around a black bag. “Nobody will bother us ever again.”
         The way he spoke gave me chills up my back. He would do nothing to hurt me. There was no one in the world that I would trust more.
         “What’s in the bag?” I nervously asked in a mouse-like voice.
         In a quick movement, he pulled me close to his body. Just like all the other times before and all my worries started to fade away. His strong hand placed firmly on mine he reached into the bag. My hands felt a smooth metallic cylinder. Grasping my hands around the metallic object in the bag he pulled my hand out.
         I could only stare in disbelief at what I was holding. In my hand was a small black gun. I gave a look of uncertainty and terror.
         “Why do you have this?” I asked, voice shaking.
         “I told you we’ll always be together,” he gave a sly smile. “Nobody will ever separate us.”
         “But…” I tried to argue.
         “Don’t you want to be with me?” He quickly snapped, his sly smile turning into a scowl. His cheeks turning a shade of pink as he glared at me.
         “Of course I do,” I yielded. “But what are you going to do?”
         “We will stop everyone who wants to keep us apart.”

         The next moments were a blur. I didn’t want to do this, but it was for him. I felt sick in the pit of my stomach. I could hear screaming but I could not see where they were coming from. As long as he remained close to me, I would be safe.
         “Pull the trigger,” a voice echoed.
         Darkness surrounded me. My body felt as heavy as lead. The voices hurting my ears. ‘Just leave me alone’ was the only thing I could think.
         A sudden shot. Body trembling furiously. Crimson water flowed by my feet. I was alone. The red sunset highlighting the figure lying on the ground. The gun fell from my hands. Not one sound could be heard as it hit the ground. I just stood, frozen. Only one thought pulsated through my mind. This all started with one car, one apple… one kiss. Why didn’t I just say no? This was the question that I could not find an answer to; the only conclusion that I could see was I guess the temptation was just too great.