This Is My Life

23

Staring up at the speckled, motel ceiling, I thought about everything. A million different thoughts were rushing through my mind at top speed, preventing me from sleeping. Was there really anything out there for me? How would I live on my own, how would I do anything? I would have to leave the country. I would have to get a new identity.

I could hear snores from beside me and decided I would get some fresh air. I wasn't doing much sleeping, and no one was going to recognize me when it was this dark.

Out into the dark, I could here the speeding cars and sirens off in the distance. The wind blew the leaves in the trees, and the crickets were loudly playing. It all sounded relaxing. I wasn't sure why. I guess because there weren't people everywhere, hustling and bustling. It was quiet, but not too quiet. 

Just when I thought I was relaxed enough to go back up to the room, thoughts of the night I ruined that boys life ran through my head. Then my mind flickered back to the thoughts of my parents.. What if it happened again. I didn't have medication now, I wasn't getting help out here. 

Trying to push those thoughts aside, I convinced myself that I didn't need anyone's help to control myself. I could take care of it. I wasn't going to let anything happen to anyone else, ever. 

While I was off thinking in my own little world, I had managed to walk 4 blocks away from the motel. Now shivering cold and damp, I turned around to head back. 

Something caught my eye though when I went to turn around. 

It looked like an older man, walking towards me. Turning around anyway, I kept checking to see what he was doing. I could barely make out his face through the light off the dim street lamps. He had dark hair, and a scruffy, short, black beard. It appeared like the man had just recgnized me and was trying to come closer. Hoping I was just being paranoid, I quickened my pace slightly, but when I looked back, the man was nearly running after me.

Now I really felt paranoid. I didn't stop to think about who it was or why he was running, I took off at full speed down the road, toward the motel my feet slapping the damp pavement.

I could hear his feet stomping right behind me. My heart was racing, and I knew that I needed to go a bit faster, or I wasn't going to be making it back to the motel. 

As I continued to run, I heard his foot steps slow behind me, but I continued, not looking back until I heard it. 

"Melissa!"

The man had a deep raspy voice that sounded kind of familiar. I didn't stop to find out though. He may have stopped for a moment, but I couldn't be sure. It bothered me how he knew my name though. I turned around one last time to see him doubled over, hands on his knees, breathing very deeply. Good, I thought. That teaches him to run after young women at night. Still jogging, I went up to our motel door. 

Bursting in, I found that Mason and Darla were still fast asleep. Not even aware at all about what just happened to me. Even though I didn't even know... I was chased down the road, by a guy, who weirdly knew my name. But how?

Surprisingly, I fell asleep quite fast, considering the fright I just had. It mustv'e been all the running. I didn't even hear the snores coming from Darla and Mason. 

Opening my eyes, I could see the bright sun rays shining through the window. Forgetting everything, I laid in the warm bed, feeling the sun soaking into my skin. I could've just laid there all day, relaxed and calm, but suddenly someone leaned over me, blocking out the sun.

"Good morning." Mason's smiling face was beaming down at me. He seemed like he was in a great mood. 

"You seem very chipper." I mentioned, getting out of bed. "Where's Darla?" Her bed was empty, and already made.