Graceful Fall

Faster - Grace

Running takes not only physical strength, but mental resilience. If you don't have the drive, then those legs of yours won't take you anywhere. You'll huff, puff, and blow yourself down. Believe me, I know the trial and error of putting miles underneath the soles of my shoes.

I never used to run, couldn't even contemplate the need for it when I could just walk wherever I wanted. Not necessarily a couch potato, but I wouldn't call myself athletic. But, at the time, I also didn't have anything to run from. 

Our time in New York changed everything, and made me understand that my legs were made for more than just walking, that there were things I needed to run from and run fast. Most people can run a short distance under normal circumstances, and even with adrenaline at play there is still a point where that person's body refuses to work anymore.

Once, my body was there at the cusp of quitting. My heart pounding so loud it overcame the cacophony of the surrounding city streets. The short, quick breaths scorching my throat as I tried to push myself harder. The fear that my legs would seize and I'd never make it out. That leaving him would be the end.

In self-defense classes they say not to look behind you because it will disrupt your speed and coordination, making it possible for your pursuer to catch up. Well, I didn't know that at the time, but it wouldn't have really mattered. I chanced a glance over my left shoulder, through the tangled and dirty curls that had escaped from my bun, and tried to see around the dumpsters haphazardly parked throughout the alley. My pursuers must have given up because I was alone. Remembering his last words to me, I turned back to my mission of finding help.

Besides, when I looked behind me, his strawberry blond crop was nowhere to be seen.

The stinging dredged me up from the vestiges of restless sleep. Heavy eyelids that felt slathered in a sticky paste opened with a curse that rang in my ears.

Did my ass get steamrolled?

"Good, you are awake," said a man with the deepest voice I had ever heard.

Brows furrowed, I tried to remember where I knew that voice. The sound made my breath come faster and my stomach clench painfully. Something felt broken. I willed my arms to hold in my stomach, but they wouldn't move. A small tug caused another ringing noise that sounded a lot like chains. Rolling my shoulders was a feat since they were numb and tingling with pins and needles above my head, which hung between them.

I forced my head back slowly and leaned against something solid and cold behind me. The chains rattled again when I sucked in a breath and moaned from the instant stabbing pain.A cruel smile transformed his classic features from handsome to monstrous. Who had ever found him angelic?

Leaning down so our eyes were level, he pulled a strand of hair away from my skin. The clump was matted and stained nearly black with blood, parts of it still clinging to my throbbing cheek.  "Are you ready to begin?"

I'm ashamed to admit a few hot tears slipped down my cheeks, but the searing that followed couldn't compare to the dread weighing me down.

Moving in closer so that our noses almost touched, the subtle stench of sulfur hit me like a blow. "I have been waiting a long time for this. I suggest you scream. I hear it helps with the pain."

My traitorous mouth howled.