Consider Yourself Lucky

Eighteen

I can't tell if he's still chasing me. I've been running for a while and it's getting harder to breathe. I swerve between trees and skip over branches to avoid tripping on them. It's difficult to find my way through these woods when I don't know where I am or where they lead to. It doesn't help that the only reason I can see as much as I can is because the moon is so bright tonight. I think I finally lost him. I lean against a tree to catch my breath. Just as I start running again, I hear my name being called.

"Addy! You can't keep running from me!" The hell I can't. I run even faster. I get spooked by something in the leaves and trip over a branch I was trying so hard to dodge. Almost as if I was in some corny horror movie. I can hear his steps getting closer and closer but for some reason I can't seem to get up. It's like a magnetic force causing me to stay grounded. The more I try to get up the slower I can feel myself getting. I turn to see if he's near me and he isn't in sight. I'm in the clear, or so I thought. As soon as I finally got up and balanced myself, I feel arms grab me by the waist and pulls me back. I try to scream but nothing comes out. Silence. I struggle to get out of his grip. He's holding me so tightly it feels like I'm being squeezed by a boa constrictor. He turns me around, so we're face to face. His breath is hot and smells like whiskey.

"I told you that you can't keep running from me. Did you think I wouldn't catch up to you?" Tears sting my face and everything around me is spinning. Then, darkness. Complete darkness.

I wake up drenched in sweat and my heart pounding. I don't remember falling asleep. I look over and Grandma's eyes are still glued to the TV. I glance at the clock on the wall, and it reads seven-thirty.

"Adelaide? Are you okay?"

"How long was I asleep for?" Pieces of hair are sticking to my face and my arm feels all tingly. I must have fallen asleep on it.

"Just a couple hours. If you thought the show was boring, you could have told me." She laughs a little to herself. "You looked tired, so I just let you sleep."

I take a minute to process the nightmare I just woke up from. What the fuck was that about. Why did it feel so real? It's like I could feel everything that was happening. Collin would never do that. The more I think about it the more I realize I never saw his face. I don't know who was chasing me in the woods. There's no reason to get so worked up about it. It was just a nightmare.

"Have you eaten anything for dinner?"

"Yes honey, I ate the second half of my panini about an hour ago. Did you want me to make you something?"

"No, it's okay. I can do it; you can just relax." I get up and head into the kitchen. I regret just grabbing a whole bunch of snacks at the store earlier. I decide on a sandwich and take out all the good stuff from the fridge. My favorite sandwich to make at home is turkey and ham with mayo on one piece of bread and honey mustard on the other side. Provolone cheese is always my go to along with a slice of tomato and a couple pieces of lettuce. When I take the first bite it's like a party in my mouth. Absolutely delicious. I go back in the living room and sit with Grandma for a little bit longer. She switched channels so now we are watching some game shows. One thing I never understood about those shows is the fact that there are so many poor people in the world yet you're willing to offer hundreds sometimes thousands of dollars to people just to play some games on television. Most of those games are rigged and others you just got to have good luck. HA! Looks like I'll never be on a game show. I'd lose every penny I have and then some. I'd rather use my money for a little kid with a lemonade stand or an elderly lady selling crocheted blankets on the boardwalk.

I search the couch cushions for my phone and unlock it. I have three messages from Collin and a missed call. I was only asleep for about two or three hours, and I told him I'd be occupied. The first two must have been from right after I fell asleep and the last one in from a couple minutes ago.

"Enjoy your cooking show marathon. It would be good to learn some new recipes."

"Also, tell Grandma I said hello and would love to come visit soon."

"Just closed shop. Paperwork is exhausting and my least favorite thing about owning a business. How is everything?"

I stare down at my phone screen trying to figure out what to say back. I don't want to bring up that I drove by earlier and didn't see his car. That would make it seem like I'm stalking him. Was I? No. I just decided I wanted to take the longer way home. It's not my fault he has his store in a building that's on that route. I need to stop. I literally sound crazy. I don't know what's wrong with me lately. This man has me feeling all types of ways I never knew I could feel. I second guess everything I think about. I make up scenarios in my head. If this is what a relationship consists of, I'm not sure I'm ready. Although I guess it's a little too late for that. I go back and forth with my thoughts. I just need to give him a chance. It's only been a day and I'm jumping so many hurdles it's fucking with my head. I finally have something good going for myself and I'm already trying to self-sabotage. He's a good guy. I don't want to ruin this.

"Everything is good. We switched to game shows now. Cooking must bore me; I fell asleep a couple episodes in. I'll ask Grandma when she's up for visitors. Maybe tomorrow when I get out of work." I press send and close my phone. I'm still feeling a little tired so maybe I should go to my room. If I fall asleep on this couch again, I'm going to wake up with a sore back.

"I'm going to head upstairs for the night. I have work in the morning. Collin asked when he could come visit so if you're up to it tomorrow, I can invite him over for dinner."

"That sounds wonderful honey. Before you leave in the morning make sure Flake isn't in your room. I don't want to have to go upstairs to get her."

"No problem. Goodnight, I love you."

"I love you too, sweetie." I call Flake to follow me to my room. Her little belly pouch swaying back and forth as she runs up the stairs. I put my phone on my nightstand and plug it in. I take a quick shower to wash off all the stickiness from my sweat. It's a little chilly tonight so I throw on my flannel pajamas and get cozy in my bed. I scroll my socials until I feel my eyes getting heavy. I'm almost asleep when I receive a text message.

"Sounds good, just let me know. Miss your pretty face. XO." I smile and remember he's such a sweet guy. He really does make me happy.

"I miss yours. See you tomorrow. Goodnight. XOXO." As soon as I go to put my phone back on my nightstand, I get another text. That was quick. He must have been waiting for my reply. How cute of him. Except it's not from Collin. It's from a random number. It must be a spam text. Except it's not. My heart drops as I read the message.

"You are in trouble."