Leah was just an ordinary teenage girl, no doubt about it. She was quite popular. Went to parties, had many friends, and was quite rich. Her friends often asked for money, which she was supposedly ‘fine’ with. Until one day, at school, her ‘best friends’ asked for money. But she didn’t have any on her, so she simply said, “Sorry, I don’t have any right now.” This one sentence changed her life for the worst. Leah’s friends gradually drifted, giving her weird looks, baking fun of her, everything. Leah questioned herself at times, became more insecure. They practically ditched her by the next week, calling her “broke” and “selfish”, spread rumors, completely flipped on her. Leah Guthrie gradually lost her spark since that day. She lied, and lied, and lied. She always said she was “fine” even when she wasn’t.. which was almost never.

One day, Leah came home, only to find a sticky note on the fridge, simply stating, “Hi hon! Me and your father are going out of town for this week, sorry for not telling you sooner. -mom”. Leah wasn’t fazed by this hastily written note. This happened every month, and she had gradually become used to it. Her parent’s actions left a bigger dent in her heart than any words could. But this one felt.. different. Leah had the strong urge for the knife since the incident, not intending to use it on herself, but preferably someone else.

Leah contemplated her thoughts for a long time, then finally picked up her phone. She started to text her ex best friends, trying to sound enthusiastic and kind despite her true intentions. She finally sent, “Hi guys, I’m sorry for being so rude last week.. I’ll give you money to make up for it? Meet me at our spot in the woods!”. Leah grinned, as she knew this would work, but she also questioned herself. Her inner turmoil was reaching sky high as she questioned if what she was doing was right, which she ultimately decided was.

Leah looked at her phone, and was met with greedy replies of, “Money? I’m in.” and “Okay, be there in 10.“ Leah thought of the good times they used to have. What if she never told them she was rich? Or given them money? But it was too late now. Leah Guthrie had made her decision, and this was exactly what she planned.

Leah sat down. Her blonde hair seems smooth in the dawn lighting coming through the window, and her soft green eyes seemed too sweet. Too innocent for what she was planning. She grabbed her backpack, adding a few extra items in it, then set off to the woods, going deep in. After, what felt like not too long, she got there. They were all there. Sitting down on some logs talking, which instantly stopped when they saw her. She sat down.

Leah started to hand out money, smiling with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She had absolutely no sparkle in her eyes anymore, but the others obviously didn’t notice. Only using her for her money. When people started to leave, Leah asked the most greedy of the group to stay behind. The girl reluctantly agreed, following Leah deeper into the forest. Once they got to a spot much deeper, Leah took off her backpack and started to grab something. The girl at first thought it was more money, which led her to hold out her hand greedily. But what entered her chest surprised her. Gasping for breath, she collapsed. This pain was nothing the she had ever felt before.

Leah watched as the girl collapsed. She stared as if in a trance. It felt good to her, almost as if she was born to do this. She could already feel her body craving, itching, longing for more. A warm, red liquid splattered Leah’s clothes repeatedly, but she didn’t care. She loved it more than she should have.

Leah felt no guilt as she left the woods. Those woods. The woods she just took another persons life in. She felt no remorse whatsoever. Leah smiled until she couldn’t smile no more. Loving this feeling, she went home to get washed up. Leah put her clothes in the washing machine, cleaned herself, and finally went to the living room to watch television. But -before she could even sit down- she was met with police sirens. Thinking it wasn’t for her, she sat down.

But when she heard the knock on the front door, she knew. Leah Guthrie knew she would never find a way out of this one.