Heat

The sun had taken over the night as Ashley woke up. A groan left her lips as she slowly sat up. Her head was pounding as she gently ran her hand
through her semi-damp hair. Memories of last night ran through her head as her headache got slightly worst. "Ugh! Stupid idiot," she mumbled while
getting out of bed. She felt weak but she brushed it off before heading towards the bathroom. After a while, Ashley came out dressed in her morning
run outfit, although she felt like crap, she wasn't going to stay in this house with Jake, her mother, and Roger after what happened last night.
Ashley carefully walked down the stairs with her hand firmly gripping the railing. She had a slight wobble in her step as her vision was a bit blur, she
felt like someone was continuously beating her in the head.
Her mother came out to call her for breakfast but immediately stopped in her tracks as she watched her zombie-like daughter weakly coming down
the stairs, looking like she could fall anytime soon. Her eyes widened as the realization hit her before rushing to Ashley's side. "Oh god, Ashley, you
look terrible, let me help you back upstairs and I'll bring you breakfast," she said trying to change their direction but Ashley weakly shook her head.
"No, mom, I'm fine, I'm just going on my morning run," she said getting out of her mother's hold, "But, baby, you don't look too good, you should be in
bed," she said trying to convince her stubborn daughter, but Ashley didn't change her mind and continued on her way to the front door. "I'm fine,
mom, I'll see you in a bit," she said before opening the front door as she left.
Katie stood in the spot where Ashley left her as concern filled her insides. This year had been really tough on Ashley and she didn't want to lose her

daughter. She promised her later husband that she protect and take care of his daughter as best as she could.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The bright sun did nothing but weaken Ashley's already weak body as she walked instead of running. It began to get more and more difficult for her to
catch her breath as continued. Not too far from where she was, a group of girls secretly stalked her, waiting for the perfect time to strike.
Ashley stopped to catch her breath as she bent down with her hands on her knees. She placed her hand on her chest as she groaned before
someone shouted in her direction.
"HEY!" Ashley turned her head to see a group of girls, four girls to be exact walking towards her with a cold, angry look on their faces. Ashley gulped
as she straightened her weak body, she pointed to herself, "Me?" She asked as one of the girls gave her a sarcastic look, "Yeah, you," she replied as
Ashley licked her chapped lips while eyeing the girls, "What's the problem?" She asked as the same girl chuckled, "We got a message for your step-
brother, Jake, tell him that Jay's big brother is looking for him and that he should watch his back," she said as Ashley's eyes widened, "Then maybe
we should take this to the authorities then," Ashley said turning to leave before the girl grab onto her hair causing her scream out due to the
headache she was still getting.
"Listen here, you little b**h, you and your step-brother are going to pay for what he did to Jay, now be a good messenger bird and deliver Jay's big
brother's message before I-

"Before you what, Penelope?" Asked a familiar voice as it caught everyone's attention. There stood Anna with a thick branch as she glared at the girl

named Penelope, who still had a tight grip on Ashley's hair making her whimper from time to time, "Stay out of people's business, Anna," Penelope
said as Anna chuckled before pointing the branch at Ashley, "She is my business and you know not to f**k with me, Penelope, remember what
happened the last time?" She asked as Penelope's jaw clenched as she glared at Anna, who smirked.
"Remembered what I said, pretty girl," she whispered harshly in Ashley's ear before tossing her weak body in Anna's direction. Penelope gave Anna
one last glare before signaling her girls to follow her. Anna rushed to Ashley's side, dropping the branch to take her in her arms. "Thanks," Ashley
mumbled as Anna helped her up, "Just because you hate me doesn't mean I don't consider you as my best friend," she said as Ashley sighed, "I
don't ha-
"We really should get you home," Anna said cutting her off as she wrapped Ashley's arm around her neck before helping her home.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Anna and Ashley finally made it to her house at the same Jake were leaving. Ashley was so happy to see him and immediately remembered what
happened at the park. "Jake!" She weakly called out catching his attention as he was about to enter his car.
Jake froze at the sight of Ashley in the arms of Anna. Worry washed over his face as he stared at her weak figure until the memories of last night
flashed before his eyes. The fight, the rain, they both arguing, him apologizing, and she ignoring him. His face suddenly hardened as he shook his
head before entering the car.
Ashley began to panic, she tried calling his name and getting his attention by gently knocking on the glass of his window, but he simply ignored her as
he quickly drove out of the driveway.
Ashley stood there with tears in her eyes. She was scared, she didn't know what was going to happen to him after what that girl said to her. She was
worried and angry that she couldn't do anything.
She let out a shaky breath before she turned to face Anna, who had a worried look on her face, "What are you going to do?" She asked as Ashley
shrugged, "Nothing," she replied before everything went dark.