Dusk Till Dawn

C16

The following day goes faster than any other day as I spend the entire day in bed, only going downstairs to eat when Nova called.

It was not what I expected the second day of my supposed vacation to look like but I needed to stay in my room because I didn't want to run into Hardin alone. It's boring with nothing to do. The only form of entertainment is on the flat screen TV opposite my bed, staring back at me but I couldn't do anything. I stayed in bed and didn't even shower until late night.

Not wanting the rest of my vacation to be defined by fear, on Wednesday I change course.

I walk down the stairs in my running outfit, a rainbow designed camisole with the straps of the sport bra I have underneath showing with sweatpants and black running shoes.

My hand goes up to tie my hair in a bun using some chunk of hair to tie them as I walk down to the living room. My stepping slows when I see Hardin stretching his arms above his head. He's dressed in all black loose short sleeve shirt.

"Good morning," I murmur and start walking with my head down.

"Morning!" He sounds excited but I won't let it get to my head, he's probably excited about something else.

I move past him and push the door open but I hear him ask, "are you going to run?" I nod not adding anything else. "You told me you didn't like working out." He reminds me.

Why does all our conversation have to tie to that night? He told me we should forget about it but he's doing a really bad job.

Walking out of the house, I climb down the stone steps and wait for him at the bottom. I know he's coming after me because I can hear his footsteps. When he gets down and comes to stand in front of him, I answer his indirect question.

"I don't like working out because it's something I shouldn't do. I started running after Nova left. It was my way of dealing with the problems I had then, and now it's a part of me. I run at least four times a week."

He places his hands on his hips and gives me a small nod with a bright smile. "That's cool." He sounds impressed. "Why shouldn't you work out, if you don't mind me asking?"

I clear my throat and look down before answering him. "I do mind." It's not something I like talking about and sometimes it doesn't feels real until I say it out loud, and I'm not ready to make it real. Pretending it doesn't exist works for me.

"Okay." He squeezes his eyes shut for a second before releasing it. "Sorry. I'm about to go on a run myself." He points his thumb behind him in the direction of the running trails. "Should we race?"

I raise my eyebrow up. "I run at my own pace." And it's true. I don't tend to do what I'm told, I like to do things my own way except some certain situations like this trip.

Hardin doesn't get what I mean, instead of backing off like he should have, he suggests a race. "Then I'll be slow." With a smirk.

I'm not proud but I don't like people assuming things about me like he's doing now. I'm not fast enough but he shouldn't have said that.

"You better take that back." I point my finger in his face.

He chuckles. The sound causes jolt to run down my spine. He adds, "I'll even give you a headstart."

He wants a race, then I'll give him one. He'll know at the end that he shouldn't underestimat me.

"Please don't do me any favors." I wave in his face, "but if you insist, then I'll take it." I don't give him a chance to react as I begin to run with all I have. It's hard to win a race when you use all your strength at the beginning but I don't care. That man will swallow his words.