double vision.
 part 11 // eknovels 

           I took a deep breath, clenching my fists and trying to look unafraid. "Who are you?"
           "Oh, Cassandra," the voice said, chuckling to itself once again. "It's honestly not that hard to figure out if you'd just think about it."
           My eyes filled with tears, and soon enough I was bawling. "Just leave me alone!" I screamed, letting out another sob.
           When the voice didn't speak again, I said through gritted teeth, "Angela, I know it's you."
           Still no reply.
           I couldn't help but feel uneasy. I tried to feel relieved that they were leaving me alone, but something told me they'd be back - something told me I wasn't getting away that easy.
           Only then did I realize that I'd broken into a run. I was making my way through the forest, fists still clenched as tight as possible. After a while, the burning in my legs became too much. I collapsed onto the ground and curled up into a ball, quietly sobbing as I fell into a dreamless sleep on the forest floor.

           I woke up to the sound of men's voices, shouting.
           "I think I see something!" one man shouted.
           I heard leaves rustling as the voices came closer. My eyes were still closed, but I felt as if they were just standing there, watching me.
           "Is this her?" one man asked, out of breath.
           I felt something wet on my leg and heard sniffing. I scrunched my nose when I smelled the always recognizable scent of dog breath in my face. I heard the dog bark a few times, and then a pair of strong arms wrapped around me, holding me like a baby.
           "Call the mother," one man said, "She's been worried sick."
           As the man walked me through the woods, I heard police sirens in the distance, slowly becoming louder and louder until they were practically ringing in my ears.
           "My baby!" I heard my mother cry. I heard the click-clack of her high heels as she ran up to us. "Is she awake?"
           I opened my eyes and smiled weakly. "Hi Mom."
           I couldn't help but feel happy. My Mom was this worried about me! She never showed this much care before!
           "Hi Ash," she replied sweetly, brushing the hair from my eyes.
           And suddenly it all made sense. My Mom wasn't worried about me. Those guys weren't worried about me. No one was worried about me. It was Ashley they were worried about. That's how it'd always be.