Forever Chased

Chapter 1

Run. Don't think, just run.
Don't stop and consider, they'll catch you.
Just run.
Like I have been my whole life.
I can't remember a time where I wasn't running, looking over my shoulder as I went, checking for the Chasers. Ever since I was small I feared what lurked behind me, just out of my range of vision. Always having an itch to run, try to outrun the Chasers who always tracked me.
I'm Alex. This is who I am, every day. Just a rush past, a face in the crowd. If you see me, you'll never remember me - I guarantee it. I have someone good with memory editing on my side.
At least, I think they're on my side.
I slam into a man on the street. Dazed, I look up at him, blinking.
"Where are you going? Is someone chasing you?" The man, looking to be about 40, says with concern.
"Yeah. Someone's chasing me," I reply quickly. "Bye!" I continue on, sprinting down the street.
"Wait! Who?" His voice calls, growing fainter with distance. I shake my head.
He will forget me, just like everyone else who's ever met me. It's a fact of life for me that's both good and bad.
Good - no one can put me in newspapers or wanted posters if they can't remember me.
Bad - I've never made any friends. For obvious reasons.
As soon as I begin to slow down because of pure exhaustion, I feel hot breath on my neck and adrenaline makes my legs pump even faster than before.
I collapse in an empty house, breathing hard. I pull my water bottle from my bag of necessities and drink. Half a day down. Half a day to go until I can sleep safely. That's how I count my days.
The Chasers always leave me alone while I sleep, as if its a game and they want their players well rested.
I suppose I should explain.
For as long as I can remember, someone - or something - or multiple things - have been chasing me. The Chasers are those things (or people). I know that they're close when the back of my neck tingles. Then I know, it's time to run.
The Chasers aren't a tangible, faceable fear, since I've never seen one. All I know is a gut feeling that tells me that being caught by a Chaser is trouble.
I don't remember being little. My first clear memory was of being about 8, waking up in a white building. That was when I first experienced the Chasers. A feeling on my neck, and suddenly, that deer-caught-in-the-headlights moment, when I just needed to get out, right then.
But this life is so far from easy and comfortable. And I mean miles away.
My rest is over, so I tenderly get up and look out the window to check for Chasers. There are none.
Stepping out the door, I glance around before setting out at a jog. Hard, slapping footsteps behind me hurry me along to a run.
You may be wondering why I never try to see the Chasers. I used to. But every time I glance behind me there was nothing there, and I earned myself a punch in the gut from some invisible force. Now I just accept that there are invisible things chasing me wherever I go and I can't ever get away from them.
I glance out into the street before I cross, but when I snap my eyes forward again there is a woman in front of me. I fall backwards to the pavement, smacking my head.
I blink tears from my eyes and try to focus on the woman. She helps me to my feet.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" She gushes, her face the definition of embarrassment.
"It's....fine. I, uh, gotta go," I reply unsteadily. I try to take a step but the world swims in front of me. The woman catches my arm and pulls me away from the street.
"Maybe you shouldn't walk for a while," she says with concern. "You hit your head pretty...wait. Do I...know you?" I shake my head.
"You must be thinking of someone else. Listen, I really gotta go-"
"No! I know I've met you before! Alex?"
My mouth drops open.
But she can't remember me, even if we had met before.
It can't be.
Could it?