Lottie always excelled in track. She loved how all the anxiety she had before the gun would disappear in a matter of milliseconds. The bang like a trigger. Time slows and the only thing left is her and the track. The others would fall behind but Lottie only looked up and kept running.

The best runners would always be taken to another school team. Best friends would be ripped apart and ghosted. Most friends would try to stay together. Lottie had no time for such friendships. She had to keep practicing to make the best team. She had to see her best friend again.

First call, second call, and finally third call. Lottie was in the first heat out of many. She set up and studied the ground. This was the day she would meet her best friend again. Ready, set, Bang! Lottie took off. Her spikes grabbing at the ground as if she would float away. The competition looked like they were standing still compared to her. She crossed the finish line in first. Even out of the other heats.

The coach never doubted her. He walked up behind her and told her that she would be going soon. Lottie beamed. This was her dream. The coach gave her instructions to come back to the track at night. The time was sketchy and tiresome, but it was like this for everyone.

Lottie was so excited that she tripped over the curb outside the track. That was embarrassing. She made her way inside to find coach with a boy. He looked about four years older than Lottie. “Lottie! Your right on time.” Lottie just nodded and smiled as she set her stuff on the ground. “Today I want you to race my best prodigy. If you win you will be on the team.” The boy only frowned. That made Lottie get a bad feeling. “Don’t slow down, don’t look back, don’t lose your edge, and lastly run like your life DEPENDS on it.” The coaches eyes were cold. “ Let’s start outside of the track.” He said with a grin. Lottie made a mistake. There was a feeling deep inside telling her to run. Outside of the track the coach gave her a head start.

“Five, four, three, two, one… go.” Lottie was off. As she ran she kept getting a bad feeling and looked for somewhere to go if anything happened. No houses, no people, not even a building in sight. She disobeyed the coach and looked back only to see the boy chasing her with a knife. Her heart sank and she ran as fast as she could. The adrenaline pumping through her and making her head thump.

No matter how fast she ran the boy was right behind her. At times he would lunge and try to grasp at her. Lottie just focused on running. The wind she once loved now hurt her eyes and made her tear up. Not to mention the fact that if this happened to her best friend. No, Lottie would not think of that. It had to have been hours in Lottie’s mind. Her adrenaline was fighting to stay but she could bearly stay in a wobbly line if not complete zigzags. The boy lunged again but Lottie dodged as she tripped on a curb. Lottie just laid there. The boy walked up gasping and stood over her. Lottie coughed and smiled, “How embarrassing.” She frowned. The boy kneeled and stabbed her. Lottie grabbed the strangers ankle and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry.” The boy stated.

Lottie was fast, but not fast enough this time.