You Can't Run Forever

-1-

I stood with my feet firmly pressed into the soft dirt. The fall weather always brought rain that made my boots slip but today I didn't fall. This was my fifth year after all, I should know what I'm doing. I slowed my breathing before I put my finger on the trigger. Part of me felt bad but I had to do this. The girl was no more than 23. Just a few years older than I and already wanted by the law. Of course I'd be wanted too if they ever found out how I tracked down these people. Quickly I pushed every thought from my mind and shot. She fell forward and landed on the cement. The deafening drop was something I'd never get out of my head. I just sentenced her to death. In one moment I took her life away. The guilt I held as I scaled down the mountain was something I'd never get used to.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to mostly myself since the girl was unconscious. Still I didn't use real bullets, the girl wasn't dead. Yet. I simply stunned her and would take her in to claim my money.

"Hey, good catch, Sky," Zack complimented as he came back. He was the one distracting the girl so I could take my shot. A natural flirt, Zach had chiseled features, short curly brown hair, blue eyes that stunned most girls, and a tall muscular build. Yes, he was very handsome and was a very good distraction. He was two years older than me and my best friend of sorts. At first it was a partnership because he was strong and I had very good aim. With our combined income we even lived in an apartment together, living fairly comfortable lives.

"Whatever, just get her in the truck," I told Zach. He rolled his eyes at me but did as I said.

"I don't know why you get so upset over this. They're the ones that brought it upon themselves. All we're doing is the government's dirty work." I ignored Zach as I climbed in the driver's seat. "They're criminals, Sky. They deserve this," he said when he noticed I was ignoring him.

"Shut up Zach! You know no one deserves this!" I shouted at him. He was just barely in the passenger seat when he stopped his movements. Zach didn't know how I found out where these people were and he never would. Zach would turn me in if he found out.

The trip was silent all the way to the station. Zach stayed with the girl who would surely wake up soon while I went in. The officers took her away and I was given a lump of cash. Five grand for her. I never looked at what these people did. Everyone thought they were awful people because of their crimes. I liked to look at their history, like where they went to school, what their favorite food was, and normal stuff that made them human. If everyone else was going to hate them I wanted to know them for the good things. It made turning these people in more difficult but I felt they deserved to have someone not hate them. Even if they didn't know it I believed these people were good.

"What do you say about going out tonight? Julian and Raina are going to Seaside. Reed said he might stop by and Dante leaves tomorrow. What do you say?" Zach asked while I drove. It had been weeks since I saw Raina. Of course I wanted to go and Zach knew that.

"Yeah, let's go," I agreed with Zach. He seemed disappointed I didn't say anymore but he knew I was irritated with him.

"Did you hear that runner is still out there? Hacked into another security database," Zach said to change the subject.

"Yeah I saw it on the news this morning. On the run for five years now," I added. Zach nodded and was happy I was talking. Five years ago someone started hacking into databases to steal information. Zach didn't know how much we actually spent. He didn't know I was a good hacker. No one did but me.

"I hope they catch 'em. How do we know someone isn't selling that information? It's dangerous. You're really good at finding people, you should do some digging around," Zach suggested.

"I have. Everywhere I look all I can find is headlines and what's already happened. Whoever it is covers their tracks really well. Besides, I only find these people because they're dumb and use an atm or a credit card somewhere," I lied to Zach. I knew exactly who the runner was. That nickname was earned for being the criminal on the run the longest.

Back at the house I noticed a line of black cars along the front of the building. "Hunters?" I asked. Zach shrugged but looked over.

"Maybe there's someone near by. Too bad we didn't get them first," Zach laughed. Suddenly I got a nervous pit in my stomach.

"Why don't you head up. I'm gonna stop by the store," I told him.

"What's up?" He asked in his concerned voice.

"Girl things," I lied. Zach rolled his eyes and laughed. I dropped him off by the back door for residents and parked in the back. I had assumed when we drove past it was more than hunters. Zach and I were hunters, these were agents. I could tell by the wire two were wearing. Of course they were dressed as normal looking people but I picked up on the little things. I put the car in drive and drove around a little until hopefully they would leave. After about two hours Zach called me.

"Where are you? Are you ok?" He asked.

"Yeah, all good. I had to go across town because they didn't have what I needed," I lied. I hated lying so much to Zach but he couldn't know.

"Ok, well there's someone here asking for you. What did you get into?" When I heard those words I almost swerved off the road.

"Zach, I have to go to stormer's," I said. Stormer was Zach's dad that we would visit until he died two years ago. It was a code for when we were in trouble. The line went silent for a few seconds until Zach responded.

"Ok, so you'll be home in a half hour? I'll see you there?" Zach asked and I knew exactly what he meant. A half hour away was our tucked away cabin on Zach's family's land. He would meet me there.

"Ok, thanks Zach," I said in one breath. Zach would help me. We hung up and I drove. My heart was racing and I knew I was in deep trouble.