Typically it’s the same bad dream, a reoccurring nightmare. Tonight was slightly different because this time he wasn’t in it. I couldn’t see who was chasing me down the dark winding road. I couldn’t see further than two feet in front of me. I mostly focused on the rhythm of my feet slapping the wet pavement. In sync with my rapid heartbeat. I ran Until the ground left from beneath me.

And then I woke up in a puddle of cold sweat. I ran to the bathroom. Scrambling for the light switch I knocked over a bunch of shit.

Under the bright interrogating lights I noticed something about my eyes. They seemed different. More almond shaped than the nights before. Under a wrinkled forehead and arched brows and noticed how brown my eyes were for the first time.

There was a somber clarity in my eyes this time. A fierceness I didn’t recognize. Every other night when I dreamt this dream he caught me, but tonight I out ran my fears. I got dressed for my track meet. The one I had been preparing weeks for.

The gun shot clapped. I mostly focused on the rhythm of my feet slapping the wet pavement. In sync with my rapid heartbeat. I ran Until the ground left from beneath me and my team picked me up.

VICTORY! I Won!