Page 119 of No Need to Run

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And then, I’m jogging across the backyard to the woods.

Why?

No damn clue.

I must’ve lost my fucking mind somewhere between dinner last night and messing everything up this morning.

I’m already panting as I hit the woods.

You can do this.

Endorphins. Remember?

My pace is much slower than when I ran with my brother, but at least I’m not halfway to dying, so that’s a plus.

As I run, my mind decides to entertain me with a movie montage consisting of Violet and me from the moment we first met at the bar until now.

That nagging feeling returns.

There’s something familiar about her.

But I’d remember if I met her before.

Right?

I shake it off, exchanging it for an analysis of every moment between us.

And I realize one very important thing: I miss her. She's become the best part of my day.

I think about her when we're apart. Smile every time her name lights up my phone.

And when I'm with her... I feel seen.

I wipe the sweat from my brow and finally look up. The sun sparkles off the crystal blue waters ahead.

Oh my gosh. I made it to the lake.

I’ve never run this far before.

Time to go back.

I turn around, and that’s when I see it.

A glimpse of something ahead that darted behind a tree.

I blink, trying to process it.

It’s too big to be an animal. But if it’s a person, why would they have jumped behind a tree?

“Hello?” I call out, my voice breathless from running. “Is someone there?”

My focus is on the tree in the distance. The one I have a sneaking suspicion someone is hiding behind.

I swallow hard. What if it’s someone who intends to harm me?

Someone huge like... Smoke.

My mouth dries.

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