Pieced Together Again

All Work and No Play- Chapter 1

© 2012, Briana Hernandez

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be produced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author. Any infringement is punishable by law and infringers may be subject to court fees, fines, and jail sentence.

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidential.

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I kept running through the woods and I knew I wouldn't stop until I found someone that would be able to help me. As I kept running I could hear his heavy breathing and footsteps behind me. I couldn't let him get me because if I did I knew I would never be able to escape. I made my way onto the road stopping only momentarily to frantically look left and right. There was a car coming down the top of the road to my left so I started running. I didn't even make it two steps before I felt two strong hands on my shoulders. "I know you're not going to leave me babe," he said in his husky voice.

I quickly sat up in bed, my head pounding and a sheet of sweat covering my skin. I let out a deep breath and looked around me warily. I threw myself back on the bed feeling relieved it was just a nightmare, but I had hoped that they had gone away. Guess not. I mean, I couldn't be happy and normal for once after all that I've been through? Ugh, why did he always have to come after me in any way possible?! It has been two months since I have escaped him, but I still always look over my shoulder constantly and living in fear that he might find me again. I looked over at the clock and realized it was only 5:47, so much for getting enough sleep before work and school.

I drag myself out of my bed and gather my things to head into the shower. As I showered I kept thinking about my dream. I hadn't been getting them as often which is a good thing, but I wanted to move on already and not worry anymore. I had a feeling that wasn't going to happen for a while. After spending an hour in the shower I got out and quickly got ready. Class didn't start until 9:00 so I decided I might as well make breakfast for Jason and I.

I was just setting the eggs on a plate when Jason comes waltzing in, looking like he just rolled out of bed.

"Morning, cuz! How is my beautiful little cousin?" He asked while throwing his arm around me and pecking me on the cheek.

"Good, until I caught a whiff of your morning breath," I told him trying to get away from him.

"I don't have-" he started to say but then he saw my smirk. He held me in his arms tighter, brought his face close to mine, and let out a big gust of breath right in my face.

"Ewah," I yelled dropping to the floor and pretending to pass out.

"Haha," he replied back in a sarcastic tone while moving away and rolling his eyes. "You're in a good mood. I'm really glad you're not as depressed as you have been. What suddenly changed?" He inquired in a serious tone.

"I don't know. Siento que tengo que hacer algo con mi vida. No puedo vivir con miedo y pensando que él va a venir por mí," I noticed that his hands clenched in fists as I said that last sentence, but I continued on. "I want to be happy again, you know?"I shrugged and he nodded.

"And you have a right to be happy just like everyone else. You shouldn't let something like that determine the rest of your life. Live for now and tomorrow not for yesterday," he came over and gave me a hug.