My feet hit the ground hard as I broke into a sprint from the blacktop into the forrest. My heart pounded, my lungs were on fire but I kept running. I knew he wasn’t very far behind me, and I couldn’t take the chance of being caught to slow down for even a moment. As I neared a quarter mile into the forrest the clouds that had been looming overhead all day finally began to rain. I used the rain as an opportunity to hide for a moment and catch my breath. His senses would be dulled so it was the only time I’d be able to rest. My heart was still racing… it had been four years since I’d seen him and it was still to soon. My mind floated back to the day we’d met, that being the last day I truly felt safe..

I was pulled from my thoughts as I heard him. “Veronica!” His voice was muffled by the rain but it sounded close. I gathered my courage and began my sprint again. I weaves through the trees and thick undergrowth hoping it would lose him. After a while I slowed to a jog, I wasn’t easy to track to begin with, but with the weather conditions it was near impossible. I smiled to myself thinking I’d done it, when I heard him.

“Veronica..” he said out of breath. I whipped around to see him standing there just feet from me. His clothes were soaked and stuck to his skin. His body heaving trying to regain his breath. I took a step back as tears began to form in my eyes.

“Veronica don’t move” he commanded as he took a step towards me. I felt trapped and helpless, I couldn’t go back there again. I decided my chances would be better off if I started running again. I turned to run and as I did the ground began giving way beneath me.. a mudslide.. I braced myself for the pain, closing my eyes tightly.

I felt his hand grasp my arm as I fell, pulling me up with great strength. I began to beat on him begging for him to let me go, but instead he held me. He held me close to him, with big gentle arms and a large hand placed upon my head.

“Please Veronica.. don’t scare me like that” his voice was filled with worry. I looked up at him and saw the tears in his eyes. I couldn’t help but feel confused.. why him? The one who’s been actively ruining my life for years. The one working for the people who want me dead.. why is he worried about me?

We stood there, for a long time, until the rain had stopped. That was the day, I began to feel safe again.