Evolution
November 23, 2017 Philadelphia, Pa. Suzy liked to walk in the park, it let her take in the fresh air and stretch her legs. Her work in retail made her stand still most of the day, and her legs would get restless. Half of the days of the week she worked out, the other half she went for a walk. Today was the day to walk, and her clothes were in a bag that she brought to work. After her shift had ended, Suzy went to the restroom and changed into her walking clothes, the weather report was for a mild evening and night.
She drove her beat up old car down Parkside Ave, and parked on the side of the road, she enjoyed going to Fairmount Park, there were a lot of trees and scenery. She crossed over the Avenue of the Republic towards the small body of water there. The ducks and birds would come and be delighted in the water and the bugs that they could catch, and made for a nice scene as she walked around. The weather was turning and there were not as many this evening, but it was okay and she walked around the water, and continued northeast, she would walk 10-12 miles, no path just wherever her heart would take her.
The sun was already getting low by the time she got off of work, and the weathermen had gotten it wrong again. It was supposed to be a mild night, low 70's, no wind. There was already a breeze coming in as the sun went down and the lights around the park stared to come on, just close enough for Suzy to see, and it made her feel comfortable.
There was a smell of moisture in the air, the breeze felt a little cooler, but her walking kept her warm. The trees stood tall, their bodies straight and dark, with the light behind them. Always cautious, she turned and looked behind her, she knew there could be homeless and others around. The park was void of any other where she was. She continued to walk quickly
through the park, a harsh push of wind hit her and slowed her progress. The wind was very cold, it must have been 20 degrees cooler than it was a moment before.
The wind died down from the hard gale, and there was a steady much cooler breeze, the leaves on the ground started to move around and rustle. Her footsteps could be heard crunching
through the leaves, her breath getting faster and harder, she was pushing herself, she wanted to finish her walk before going home. She checked behind herself again just to be sure, and there was no one around. Suzy kept walking quickly, her long brown hair was back in a ponytail, her 5'6" frame was fit, she kept herself in good shape.
Another gust of wind blew against her, and made the trees sway and creek, the leaves moved some more and rustled and twisted around the trees, the sound made Suzy look back again to be sure. Nothing and she looked back forward at the bodies of the trees, she took a few more steps and then froze. That was no tree, not as tall, about 6' tall and dressed all in black with a hood, someone was coming towards her. She thought it unusual as she never saw other people at this time, and her senses went on high alert.
The figure turned to the right and walked away, disappearing in the trees. Suzy started to walk again, and kept an eye on the figure walking away, but they were gone. Suzy quickened her pace and started to look more often, her head swiveled as she still looked for the figure. She had just passed a tree and turned her head back forward, when a snap was heard behind her. Suzy turned her head and saw the black hood, she turned her body around, just in time to see the knife coming at her. She backed away, and dodged, but the person was too close. The blade was coming forward towards her stomach, Suzy defensively
threw her arms in the way to protect herself. The knife cut her right forearm, the pain was instant, and she looked in horror as blood started to come out. "Help!" she screamed out as the blade swung again.
Suzy was able to move back far enough not to be struck again, and the figure came forward again, the knife again going straight at her. Suzy back away, her stance changed she had taken some Taekwondo, and knew some defensive moves. She moved just to her right as the blade swung and missed, she was just about to throw a punch, when her foot hit a rock and tripped her back. Suzy fell to the ground and the figure came forward towards her.
Suzy crawled backwards. "Help! Someone Please!" She kicked the person in the shin and stalled them just a moment. The figure corrected quickly and came back fast, Suzy kicked again, this time the blade cut her leg. The figure came in close, the blade coming forward. Suzy brought her legs towards her stomach, as the person came down with the blade. Suzy kicked the person with both of her legs, but the blade was already on its way, and adjusting it cut deep into her right calf.
Suzy cried out in pain, the person did not fall and was coming again. Suzy started to panic, there was pain all over her, she turned around and tried to get up to run, to walk anything. Her legs were in no shape and she fell to the ground. She started crawling forward, and her thoughts changed. She was all of a sudden seeing the face of her mother, who had passed two years before. The pain in her back was intense, and it happened more than once, and quickly.
Suzy's body was getting slow, her hands grabbed at the dirt trying to pull herself forward, she took in a handful of leaves and felt more pain. Enough, she had enough and turned on her back to see her attacker. The figure came close and fast and as the blade went into her chest, she could finally see through the darkness of the hood, seemed like blue eyes. The blade turned without leaving, and it was over. Suzy lay there as the attacker came closer to her, the hood came close to her face. She could hear sniffing, the person was smelling her.
Suzy spit up blood and asked faintly. "Who are you, and why?" There was no answer, as the blade moved, and struck low in her left side. "Hmmm...." was all Suzy could produce, she looked up at the trees and the stars above, they started to fade, until there was nothing but darkness.
