My heart raced as my feet pounded against the ground. My lungs burned. Energy surged through my body. I felt my feet hit the ground to the beat of the music blasting in my ears.

Something about running was cleansing to me. When I ran, it felt like I was releasing all my stress into the world and letting new energy run through my veins.

zzzzt. zzzzt. zzzzt.

The buzzing of my phone brought me out of my pensive thoughts. I stopped and took a few deep breaths before I answered it.

"Hello?"

"Rowen, where the hell are you? You told me that you were going to be home by ten."

"Shit." I checked my watch. 11:30. "God, Dani, I'm sorry. I guess I just got lost in the run. You know I'm shitty at keeping track of time."

"Yeah, well, now you're going to make me late. Either get home by 12:00, or I'm going by myself."

She was talking about going to the house of the designer she was planning a show for. I was the photography and music coordinator for my sister's fashion shows, so it was important that I went to meet with the client with her. I also knew that she would absolutely leave me if I wasn't back in time.

"I'll be home by then. Promise. Love you."

Dani sighed, but I could tell that she was smiling. "Love you, too."

I attached my phone back to its holster on my hip and geared up for the run home. It would take me at least 20 minutes, and that was only if I could get back into my rhythm, which was becoming more and more unlikely as my adrenaline levels dropped and my body started to feel the pain in my calves and the soles of my feet.

"GET OUT OF THE WAY!"

In half a second, I was back on high alert and diving out of the way as a red sports car came spinning around the corner, coming to a stop right where I had been standing. The engine immediately died and the driver got out and started running to me.

"Are you okay? God, I'm so sorry. I just lost control. I didn't even see you. Are you okay? Are you hurt? Do you need me to call an ambulance?"

The words were thrown at me at a pace that was almost too fast for me to understand. It took me a minute to shake my head and answer. "I'm fine. I'm okay. I don't need you to call anyone. I'm not hurt."

The man standing in front of me, well-muscled and clad all in black and leather, sighed in relief. "Are you okay to stand?" He asked, offering me his hand.

I took it hesitantly. I knew about the kinds of people that kidnapped girls like me. They always acted nice in the beginning. Then they tied you up, raped you, and left you dead on the side of the road.

"What's your name?"

"Rowen."

The man smiled. "I'm Ashley. Ashley Purdy."

The name sat uncomfortably in the back of my mind. I should know his name. I did know it, I just didn't know why I knew, or why it seemed to be important.

"Thanks for checking on me." I said, dusting myself off. "And thanks for not actually killing me."

He laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, I'm sorry. Can I give you a ride home?"

"That's okay." I answered quickly. I wasn't stupid. "My house is just across the street. I can walk."

Ashley rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay, then. I guess that means that this is goodbye."

Notes

I know it's kind of an abrupt ending. I'm not good with endings. Don't be afraid to tell me what you think.
XOXO
Blue