Amy's Scream

I remember the night clearly.

The sky was clear and the air crisp. The stars shone brightly.

I stood below Amy's window, searching the ground for a pebble. Finding one, I tossed it up and heard the soft 'clink' against the pane. A few seconds later, she appeared.

"Ben!" she said. She turned around and began to climb out the window. When she was safely on the ground, she took my hand, kissed my cheek, and whispered, "Come on."

She jogged to the street, then turned and gestured for me to follow. I joined her at the curb, then she began to run down the street.

"Amy!" I shouted after her.

"Come on, slowpoke!"

Our laughter mingled.

The feeling was magical. Being with her, doing something we weren't supposed to do, enjoying ourselves, breathing the pure night air all around us -

Then her piercing scream perforated the night.