ASD

ASD stand for Autistic Spectrum Disorder – hopefully it will become clear why I choose this as a title in future chapters. Please I'm a Brit so if I have made any glaring mistakes as far as things State side please let me know and I will alter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas

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It was a beautiful crisp Fall evening. October was starting to hit hard and temperatures were dropping rapidly in the race towards winter. The leaves on the ground were crisps and bright in the moonlight. The walk home was a peaceful ten minute journey. No-one was out even though it wasn't really late enough to be considered too late. The rare cloudless night sky meant that she could see every star. The added chill made her want to snuggle further in her jumper, hot chocolate at home before bed. Everything was calm and quiet.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Charlotte didn't know what had hit her. The blow came from nowhere. She spun to look, having been unaware of anyone else in the park. Instantly Charlotte recognised him; but that just confused her more as she leant against the tree for support. Her bag dropped to the ground as she struggled to co-ordinate her body with her thoughts. Initially he stood watching her as if he was just as surprised by what he had done. Then Charlotte looked into his eyes, seeing something she had never seen before. Hate? Anger? Fury? She didn't know what but it scared her. She was opening her mouth but no sound came out as she started to move round the tree away from him. This seemed to make him laugh, however her hearing had been blurred by the blow. It was not his genuine sweet laugh that she was use to but a harsh uncaring laugh that chilled her to the very core. Everything seemed to be in slow motion. Charlotte started to run, along the path by the wood, away from the playground, towards home and safety. Without any effort he kept up alongside her taunting every step she took. She knew she couldn't keep it up, she begun to stumble, her legs gave way and she hit the ground. Charlotte tried to lift herself back up but as she did another blow hit the side of her head. She rolled into a pile of crisp dry leaves. She wanted to rest in this natural bed but she knew she must get up. If she stopped now she would stay here forever. Opening her eyes he was crouched in front of her, watching intently, enjoying the moment.

Charlotte lifted herself and stumbled on trying desperately to escape. Her thumping head was beyond any pain she had ever felt before but adrenaline was forcing her to move, to will her body on. She could see her breath coming out in clouds in front of her. She knew he was still close. Close enough to touch. His unbelievable rage had been replaced and he was laughing uncontrollably at her futile efforts to get away from him. Soon she could feel the blackness coming, her body not willing to fight the pain any more. She needed to rest, to stop. However her mind was screaming: move, move, move or die. He wouldn't, surely not; he wouldn't kill her, would he? She would never suspect he was capable of such an act. She wouldn't believe anyone she knew was capable of killing. Her hands rubbed against the rough bark of a tree, she used it to steady herself. Looking up at him, her eyes pleading, she murmured:

"Please don't".

He just smiled a strange twisted smile. Charlotte slid down the tree. She knew her efforts were pointless as she groped around in the fallen leaves still trying to move. She tried to drag herself around the tree. As she disturbed the leaves their damp musky smell filled her nostrils as her laboured breath puffed out in front of her. As she started to lose consciousness memories of happier days in this very park gave her one last smile.

That was enough to trigger his rage again, he grabbed her hair and pulled her into the woods and then the blows rained down, again and again. Long after she took her last breath, once she could no longer feel the pain, he continued; only stopping when every ounce of fury left his body.

As he walked away, leaving her there, he felt satisfied, more satisfied than he had in a long time.