Guide My Steps - A Zak Bagans Story

Bloody Knees

A/N: GUESS WHO'S BAAAACK. Again, as most of these author's notes go, I'm sorry for the unexpected hiatus. Personal stuff. But I've had plenty of time to think about Emeline, Zak, Aaron and the rest of the gang. So, without further ado, enjoy!

"All those special times I spent with you, my love, they don't mean shit compared to all your drugs. But I don't really mind I've got much more than that..." - Pretty When You Cry by Lana Del Rey

*

The elevator halted abruptly, dinging softly as the doors opened to reveal the ground floor. I offered an awkward, yet genuine, smile to a couple that was waiting to board as I shouldered my way out. Their excited whispers faded into background noise as I padded out of the lobby and into the early morning breeze.

There was a slight chill in the air, but not enough to require another layer. I stood in a pair of black running shorts and an old tank top, my eyes centered on the dimly light city before me. My phone weighed heavily in my back pocket, but I immediately pushed the thought of it out of my mind.

Last time I looked at the clock it had been around five in the morning, and that was when I quietly slid out of the bed I shared with Aaron. Thankfully, my slumber hadn't been tainted with memories so I had no nightmares, or dreams for that matter. It was almost as if my life had finally stopped falling apart, but it was too soon to determine that.

By means of jet lag, a time change and months' worth of lost sleep, you would have thought that my brain would have voiced its opinion on sleeping in, but no.

Out of habit, much like Aaron, I had established a routine and if I broke it, I wouldn't function properly for the rest of the day. Why did my body, mind and soul have to be so complicated with even the simplest of things? I desperately needed the answer myself.

I wasn't familiar with my surroundings, let alone Florida. I was told it would be warm and humid, not gusty and cool. Guess I couldn't complain too much as it was perfect weather for a good work out.

Grains of sand crunched beneath the soles of my sneakers on the concrete as I twisted in the direction of the beach. Reaching into the back of my pocket, my eye skimmed over the hotel map I was provided. The lovely hotel custodians had also left an invitation to a home cooked breakfast at eight.

Of course, I was up way too early to enjoy it now, but breakfast would settle better after a run.

Out of sheer luck (after wandering around the grounds for a solid twenty minutes in the dark) I found the wooden gate that opened to a boardwalk.

White sand swallowed my shoes, squelching, with each step I took towards the crashing waves. The sun was beginning to peak above the horizon spreading pastel oranges, yellows and pinks like jam over lightly crisped toast. Waves were eating away at the darkened sand at the water's edge, leaving behind milky white foam with every pull and tug on the ocean.

Hungry, much? A smile graced my lips as I thought to myself. This was going to be a good day, right?

Sighing, I shook my head at the self-inquiry. I tied my hair up into a long ponytail that swayed with each step I took towards the damp, packed sand.

Without much thought, I broke into a light jog. The water splattered beneath my sneakers as the waves brushed my toes, my soles leaving behind deep etches that soon filled with water.

I decided against music before I had left Aaron's room earlier, deciding the sound of the sea would keep my mind at bay (haha, get it?).

Gulls soared overhead, squawking loudly as the sun began to breach the horizon. Pelicans, along with other carnivorous birds, scoured over the dark blue searching for a meal. I kept my eyes forward and pushed my body to its max with a hard sprint, making sure to work up a good sweat.