She had always loved the winter air, though her body didn't feel the same. Everyone knew Kayla Hastings was at her worst during winters. Running nose, high fever, and sleepless nights trying to tame the wild sickness that overcame her every winter.
However, today, the night air that resembled winter's breath did no such thing and only made her limbs freeze. She shivered, not because of the breeze as she stared at her shadow caused by the one street lamp a few feet away that illuminated the dark alley.
Breathe. She told herself. Her palms were sweaty, every inhale of air was a painful reminder that her heart still beat. It constricted, thumping so slowly that at some point she thought it had stopped. She kept biting her lips which were already chapped and this fact was even more apparent through her sweaty skin and ghastly pale face.
A figure emerged from the shadows, hoodie covering his face and Kayla stiffened.
