The Runaway

Prologue

I can't breathe with every stride forward; as I run, I remember the farther away I am from him. If I keep going he can't reach me. He won't be able to touch me. I can feel my heartbeat in my feet as they seem to step on every stick on the ground. I jump between two trees, pushing myself flat against the trunk as I listen to see how close he is. My breathing is ragged as I hold back my sobs.

I look down to see where he grabbed me... Blood is staining all down my already dirty clothes. Where is that coming from? My memory is scattered as I try and piece together how I even managed to get this far. How much longer do I have until he finds me? What will happen this time? A twig snaps far back as I hear the low chuckle of his voice.

"Alex, you can't really believe I won't find you, do you? We were inevitable from the first day we met. I saw the way you looked at me. You can't deny it," he shouts.

His heavy boots stomp in the other direction as I cover my mouth in hopes to muffle my breathing. I swing my head around to see him sweeping his eyes in the opposite direction of me. I close my eyes to listen for any other noise than his boots in search of looking for me. I hear light honks to my left. My eyes spring open and adrenaline takes over my whole body as I start running.

My body doesn't stop until I come to a highway with cars flying past me, almost hitting me as I run into the middle of the road.

"Help! Help me please!!" I cry out in a panic.

What if he hears me? He won't even question running out here to grab me. I throw my arms up into the air as I frantically cry out for someone to stop.

A green minivan with fading paint on the hood, pulls over with a woman in the driver's seat. She jumps out of her door and instantly asks me where I cam from.

"Please just get me in the car and drive. Please. I can't let him find me," I cry out wrapping my arms around myself as I feel my body begin to crumble to the pavement.

She wraps her arms around me holding my weight against her own as she opens the backseat for me to climb into. I want to apologize for getting blood and mud all over her seat, but only sobs escape my lips as she's the first face I've seen but his in over a year.

"Please dear, tell me what your name is," she gently asks as I pull my legs up to my chest, zoning out on the blurry trees.

"A-Alex. Alex Morgan." my hoarse voice answers back to her.

I look up slightly to see her eyes widen as she looks back and forth from the road to me.

"Oh, honey..." I notice the tears building up and I force my eyes closed, not ready to see the pity that is bound to be given to me.