Eden’s Discovery

Eden loved to go running at this time of night. There were hardly any cars or people around. She loved the freedom of pounding the pavement then running through the woods. No one to disturb her and her thoughts. Just the music from her iphone
in her earbuds. Tonight, the air was cool and crisp. City lights twinkled out from the darkness. People just living their own lives. Just like she finally was. She was free. No one could find her.

Up ahead, she noticed a large dark shape on the grass. Someone had left rubbish here again. They were always doing that. She slowed her pace as she neared. Something shiny caught her eye. She came to a complete stop. Heart pounding. Trying to catch her breath, when a slow moan escaped the shape ahead. Her heart pounded even faster. Looking around, she saw no one else. Fearing it was an animal caught in rubbish, she slowly inched closer. Taking her phone from her pocket, she shone the torch towards where the sound had come from.

“Hello? Is anyone there?” She asked, warily.
A pause, then “Help me …”
She ran towards the shape, and realised it was a man. Badly injured and bleeding.
“Hi. I’m Eden. Can you tell me your name?” She said.
He reached out to her. “Stuart.” He whispered.
“Let me call for help.” She said, turning the phone towards her to dial.
“Wait!” The man said, reaching into his pocket. He handed her a letter. “Give this to Chelsea” then he collapsed and died.

She took the letter, put it in her pocket, and waited for the ambulance to arrive.
She told them all she knew, waited until they drove off, then continued on her way.
She paid no mind to the rustling of the nearby trees in the breeze.
Or the fact that someone was there watching the whole incident.
It wasn’t until she arrived home that she realised she still had Stuart’s letter.
What did she do now? Who was he? Who was Chelsea and how could she find her?