Clay dragged his feet along the gravel path. The road that sat parallel to it was now home to his old beaten up Jeep.

“Stupid piece of crap,” he muttered to himself as he looked over his shoulder with a scowl. Clay focused straight forward towards the nearest town, remaining completely ignorant to his scenic surroundings.

He should’ve guessed that today of all days his car would break town; it was the tip of the iceberg. His work was becoming unbearable with his horrible boss and suck-up co-workers and today Clay had really let them know how he felt. At the morning meeting Clay listened to all of the business jargon about targets and sales and so on and sat in his chair, deflated. It wasn’t until the topic of bonuses was brought up did Clay start to take interest. His boss, Mr Ramsay, had ‘regretfully’ told his staff that their bonus may need to be cut. Ramsay had acted torn up about it but Clay could see through his fake sincerity. Clay exploded and threw some harsh words around in the heat of the moment. He’d stormed out and headed home and this was how he now found himself storming away from his car.

Clay ran his hand through his sandy blonde hair and blew air out his mouth. He dreaded to think about his next step in life.

His literal next step was echoed with wail. Clay whipped his head around towards woods which lay beyond a grassy field to his right hand side. Clay could faintly make out a female figure with long bright auburn hair and a dark green cloak. He turned his body towards her and squinted, his full attention captured. She began to wave him in a beckoning way towards her. Without thinking Clay started walking.

Clay passed through the long green grass of the field and stumbled towards the woman. The closer he got the more he could see of her. She was tall and slender and her pale skin contrasted to her fiery hair. Clay was now within twenty feet of her and as he walked he was trying to understand what was happening. She kept looking behind her into the wood and then back to Clay. He picked up his pace and called over to her.

“You alright?” He immediately scolded himself for the uninventive greeting.

Clay was now face to face with her. Her deep green eyes were wide and dominated the soft features on her face.

“My dog, I’ve lost him in the forest,” her voice was earthy and cracked as she spoke. She looked down to the ground and back up at Clay a sense of desperation in her eyes. “Could you possibly help me look?”

He was memorised by her raw beauty. That, and he was a sucker for a damsel in distress.

“Of course, lead the way.” He gestured into the forest and she spun around and headed in.

“So, what kind of dog is he?” Clay walked beside the woman and turned his head towards her as he waited for an answer.

“He’s a Jack Russell,” she smiled having quickly calmed down, “I think he saw a rabbit or something.”

Clay let out a small smile. He was pleased with how his day had turned around to his current situation.

“I’m Clay by the way,” he extended a hand towards her. She touched his hand and shook it in a fashion that was soft yet firm like a warm evening wind.

“I’m Summer.” Before she’d finished speaking a huge grin spread across her face, a mysterious flicker in her eyes. Clay found himself smiling back.

They continued into the forest, looking all around for the small dog. All around them were bright green bushes and old oak trees. Clay looked up towards the treetops. They allowed for some of the warm sunshine and heat of the day to creep through and the shadows that were created danced along the forest floor. Summer caught him looking up and down.

“Beautiful isn’t it?” Clay moved from looking at the ground to meeting her eyes. She was searching his face as she waited for an answer.

“Yeah, it really is.” She smirked and pointed in front of them.

“I think I saw something there.” She was indicating towards a denser area of the wood in the distance. They both picked up their pace.

“Is it normally like him to run off?” Clay asked, faking interest. Summer chuckled.

“Yeah, I guess it is.”

As they walked further into the forest their surroundings grew darker and the greenery that once surrounded them turned brown. Clay eyed up Summer while they walked. She really was exquisite. The dark green cloak floated around her while her hair bounced off her back. Clay was conscious that his work attire was pretty standard and unimpressive. He hoped she wasn’t too judgmental.

They reached a clearing in the forest. The ground around them was dirt and dead branches. Clay looked around searching for the dog. Perhaps if he could find it Summer would be grateful and would offer to see him again. Clay’s eyes were drawn to a fallen over large tree. The roots were exposed to him and in their shadow he saw movement.

“I think that’s him over here,” Clay stated in a masculine deep voice. He jogged over while Summer glided behind him silently.

The hole in which the roots used to be was deep and Clay placed a hand on the trunk steadying himself as he peered in. He saw dark shapes move but couldn’t make out the dog.

“Come over,” he called over to Summer while still looking, “I can see something but I’m not sure it’s him.” As Clay turned to Summer her hand reached out and grabbed his shoulder. She seemed larger as he crouched next to the hole. A breeze had picked up around them and dead leaves swirled around Summer. She smiled at Clay as she stared in his eyes, the deep green looked electrified with colour.

“The forest must feed.”

Clay stared at her bewildered and confused by what she was saying to him. He opened his mouth to say something and as he did so Summer switched her hand on his shoulder to a kick in the ribs.

Clay was sent tumbling downwards into the hole. He landed on his back looking up at the distant sky. Summer was standing on the edge above him. Her hair was whirling manically with the wind and he could see her wicked grin from metres below. The ground around him began to move. Branches and soil whipped around him covering his body and pinning him down, unable to move. Clay watched as the wicked grin that had thrown him in here disappeared from sight and darkness took over.

9:23pm.

Where was she?

I knew her schedule now. She’d finish work at nine and be here about ten past. Every Sunday without fail.

I’d worked the Sunday shift for about eight months now and had grown accustomed to some of the regulars but Sophie was my favourite.

She’d sometimes be rushing in or sometimes she’d take her time. She always made time to chat though.

I’d seen her ridiculously hungover laughing about the night before and I’d seen her down, stressed about work.

It was about three months after I had started before I met Sophie. Her long brown hair and striking green eyes had left me infatuated.

But where was she tonight?

I paced behind the counter and pretended to fix a display as I stared longingly out the window. It wasn’t like Sophie not to visit me on a Sunday night.

Bright lights poured into the window and I impulsively jumped up to check. It was only a young guy. He began using the pump and opted to pay at there.

I sighed.

I always got strangely excited when it got close to the time she came in. I could tell she enjoyed our chats too because she would give me a big smile when she walked in.

9:34pm.

I tidied some of the shelves, trying to distract myself. A screech of wheels braking immediately captured my attention. My eyes flew to the petrol pumps.

Sophie.

Adrenaline kicked in as I caught a glimpse of her messy brown hair and I attempted to turn away and look busy. She had gotten out the car and started to fill up.

I waited eagerly for her to enter.

I dared to look again without trying to look to keen. They younger guy was approaching Sophie. I clenched my teeth, uncomfortable with my perception of his intentions.

They spoke for what felt like a long while and I fixated my gaze on them.

He was irritably handsome and dressed casually. His whole body language indicated he was very comfortable with himself. I placed my hands on the counter, taking a deep breath. I could feel myself getting annoyed. Sophie was here to see me.

The guy leaned on her car and talked away. I could see her laughing. She was clearly being nice – I could tell.

They finished up chatting and she walked in to pay.

“Hi! How are you?”

I blushed, unable to control myself.

“Yeah, good.” She smiled in return and picked up mints. I stared at them as she placed them on the counter, trying not to make the connection.

“You’re late.” I stated, rather more abruptly than intended.

Sophie’s face flashed to a ‘doe in the headlights’ look. She quickly changed to an eye roll and explained her tardiness.

“I had to stay late tonight, there’s so much going on at work. Honestly, I think they think I’ve not got anything better to do!”

She laughed in a goofy manner and I smiled.

I smiled until my attention was drawn to outside. The guy was waiting beside his car.

Sophie was paying on the pin pad and I turned back to her.

“So how’s it been this week then? Any stories for me?” She was looking at me expectantly and I completely ignored her.

“Why’s that guy just waiting there?”

Sophie followed my gaze and ended when she found the creep who was standing outside.

“Oh he’s waiting for me.”

She was trying to brush it off.

“That’s a bit strange is it not?” I really hoped this was completely innocent.

Sophie placed her bag back in her purse and shook her head.

“No no no, it’s all good.”

She turned and walked towards the door. I leaned forward over the counter in an attempt to not allow this guy any chance with Sophie.

“I could walk you back to your car if you want? I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”

She looked over her shoulder and waved bye.

My stomach dropped.

Impulse kicked in and I closed the shop so quickly I managed to see their tail lights still in the distance.

I jumped into my car and started the old battered engine. I had to speed to keep up with her car.

I had to see Sophie. Show her that he wasn’t the guy she wanted to spend time with.

Her car was stopped at the lights I was pulling up to and I could see his in front. My heart was pounding but I had to see her.

I followed them a while longer and they eventually pulled into an apartment car park. I parked at the side of the road, not wanting to follow them straight in.

I could see Sophie leave her car with a bag and meet the guy at his car. His arm placed itself on her shoulder leading her to his door.

An overwhelming anger flared up in me. How on earth did this happen?

Sophie wasn’t like this.

I had to see her.

They had reached the door by now and he had turned to face her. He cupped her face and leaned in to kiss her.

Everything seemed to stop at this point and I was paralysed in my car, watching them kiss.

I saw red.

Grabbing my baseball bat from the backseat of my car I flew out my car, bounding towards them.

They hadn’t noticed me until I was right behind them. By that point it was too late.