my new horror story...

I Don't Like Knives (for Carole, eternal love. This is all fiction except Carole)

I was jogging down by the canal when I saw it happen. There was a slim pretty brunette lady. The madman leapt out of the bushes. His evil carving knife plunged deep into the girl. She fell to the ground. Again and again he stabbed her.

I shouted, "Hey!"

Upon seeing me the cruel killer fled. Good. I didn't want to be stabbed and I was unarmed. I rushed to the girl. She was an awful mess. Bloodied, crying, hurt. I mustn't freeze.

I took off my t-shirt to stop her bleeding and held it on her wounds. Blood flow thrust my hands back. I increased pressure. The girl moaned, trembled and became white.

Stay with me, I said. I kept saying it. Don't close your eyes. What's your name?

Carole, she whispered.

I'm Nick. Stay with me.

I want to sleep. Her hands shook, held my arm. A death grip.

No! Listen to me... I told her crazy things. Was I mad, going out of my mind? Her blood was everywhere. Fucking awful.

Carole, I love you. I love you Carole. Those lovely brown almond shaped eyes opened and connected with mine. I was falling.

What did you say? So faint.

I love you Carole. Stay with me. Stay with me, you hear? A smile. My love for you will save you. I love you. Stay with me. Stay with me. I never said the death word.

The sound of sirens. I never called the medics. Who did? The murderer? There's only us here. Carole and Nick. If he comes back to finish Carole and me off, he's going into the fucking canal. I see the medics and armed police. I keep pressure on Carole's wounds.

Stay with me. I love you Carole. A faint smile. Don't close your eyes. Stay with me...

Carole did stay with me. Not as a bad memory or flash backs but as my wife. Five years, three months, one week and two days and counting. Her injuries should of killed three times over. But didn't. She's in a wheel chair with a severed spine. I won't ever leave her side. Not ever.

They got their man. After shooting him twice. It was he who called the medics. Why? Did he feel guilty of his act or was he playing a sick game? Or trying to make amends? Whatever his reason, he brought Carole and me together. For that we are grateful.