The Run

Clara

Ireland
2008
Dublin city

Clara sat on the bed in her small room for the last time. She was finally leaving this small stuffy apartment for an actual house. She felt like a bird that was kept in a cage to long and was finally free.
Yet some part of her felt sad. She had after all lived in this apartment for her whole 12 years.
Her father had found a job in Galway and her mother had decided it was a good chance to have a fresh start.
It would be different. She would miss the noise of traffic outside. She always found that comforting like she connected to the world. Like she wasn't alone in her room.
"Clara" her mom called from hall "it's time to go". "OK be there in a minute" she replied.
Clara took a deep breath and stood up. Last night she had been excited but now she didn't want to leave.
She knew it was stupid she was leaving this place for a two story house in the suburbs.
She walked over to the door closed her eyes and stepped over the threshold.
She felt tears trickle down her face. "Good buy" she whispered and walked down the hall not looking back. 

Ireland
2009
Shores of Galway

Clara sat on the wall looking out at the sea as it crashed into the land. It was stormy today which meant Clara was alone on the beach.
It was almost a year since she moved to Galway. She loved the beach she came hear to calm her thoughts.
Her phone beeped so she took it out. A text from Lilly her best friend. Lily  was the first person she met in Galway. Lily and her brother Dan wear her only friends.
School was challenging but after a few weeks she got into a
Routine.
"There inside me" a voice said from behind her. Clara whirled around to see a man standing on the rocks I front of her.
"There everywhere there inside ME there in ME there coming out. Do want to see them little girl" he screeched. Clara was standing up and backing away.
"DO YOU" he screamed. "No thank you" clara stammered "I actually better be going". The man laughed "they know you. They want to be you. He's under your bed. Outside your window. Inside your wardrobe". He moaned and griped his head. "SMILE SMILE SMILE SMILE" he screamed. Clara was now trapped cornered be this man.
The man coked his head to the side "has he smiled at you yet" at that the man turned and started walking away singing a lullaby.
Clara took a moment to control her breathing and stop her heart to stop beating so fast.
What was that who was that. Clara had never seen him before.
When stopped feeling like she would fall flat on her face if she took a step she ran back to her house.

England
2012
London

Clara took a picture of the eye of London on her pone. 
Three years have passed since she met the man on the beach. In fact she had completely forgotten about him.
She was now fifteen and had just finished her junior cert and had to blow off some steam.
So her parents and Lilly and Dan's parents had brought them to London.
While they wear relaxing in the hotel room Clara was out site seeing with her friends.
Lily and Clara wear liking there ice creams whilst Dan was of in search for a KFC.
"I feel like going to see the Harry Potter studios. Do you want to go later" Lilly asked .
"Em" Clara replied examining the map.
"Hello earth calling Clara" Lilly said waving a hand I front off her face.
"O sorry my mind wondered" Clara replied.
"Your always wondering" Lilly muttered.
Clara went back to reading the map and after a few seconds she looked up to see her friend look into the river themes. "Hey Lil I was thinking we could go to the Harry Potter studios later" Clara asked. Lilly just looked at Clara with a exasperated look on her face. "That's a good idea I hadn't though of that" she answered rolling her eyes. "But seriously Clara your mind keeps wondering  it's really annoying trying to talk to you".
Clara nodded an apology only half listening staring at the building across form
Her.
"See your at it again you always" Lilly's voice was lost in the noise of London.
Clara was still watching the building when she saw someone she recognised standing in front of the building.
It was a balding man in a tan jacket and he seemed to be staring at her.
She knew him from somewhere she just couldn't put her finger on it. It was on the tip of her thong. Suddenly the penny dropped as she remembered the man.
He was the crazy man on the beach when she was thirteen. The same man staring at her in London two years later.

Ireland
2015
Shores of Galway

All Clara did was study. It was nearing her leavening cert and she felt smothered.
She hardly saw Lilly or Dan anymore or left the house.
Her stomach rumbled and hunger prevailed over studies so she decided to
Get a slice of toast. She got of the bed stretching her legs after lying on it all afternoon an walked out to the kitchen which was surprisingly empty.
She thought her mum would be there.
She put her toast in the toaster and went to the press to get a tea bag when she saw a foot behind the island.
"Mum" Clara whispered as everything went still. Clara's legs went from under her. "MUM"she screamed crawling towards her mother.
When Clara reached her she saw how cold she looked. "Mum wake wake now please wake up" she screamed sopping uncontrollably. "Wake please wake mom wake up" and the she whispered "please wake up mommy"

Ireland
2015
Cork

Everything after that day went so fast.
Clara threw herself into her studies just to escape the horrible fact that her mother was gone.
Her father never spook anymore and the house had become a depressing place and no longer a happy place. She was glad to leave for college as to much there reminded her of her mother.
Lilly and Dan came to the same college and lived in the same building nether of them wear her roommates.
Her apartment was a four bedroom so that mention sharing with three other people.
Suddenly she herd a key in the look so Clara got of the couch to meet one of her roommates.
The girl that came in was tall with shoulder length dark rad hear.
"Hi my name is Clara nice to meat you" Clara said offering a hand. The girl glanced at the as if not knowing what to do. "um hello my name is Lizzie"