Just Run

"Hey, the phone is for you."

"Who is it?"

"I don't know, he says he knows you."

You don't know how, but you know it's him. You don't have to take the receiver to know that he's found you again somehow. All the running and hiding hasn't mattered because it never matters. He always finds you again. You're stomach drops and your heart and breath catch then quicken. You take the phone receiver unwillingly out of social habit and convention. You immediately regret it.

"Hello."

"Katie..."

The receiver drops and you start packing all your things as quickly as you can though you know it doesn't matter. He hasn't just found a phone number, you know he's found your apartment and your car and your new life. If you can start running though, maybe you can lose him--maybe you will win this time, not him.

You run down the stairs instead of taking the elevator, you made that mistake the last time he found you. You don't stop to pick up anything that drops out of your hands, you just keep moving. You have your passport and saved money strapped to a belt under your clothing. You take the door for the second floor since he's either made it to your office cubicle by now or is waiting for you to exit the elevator or stairs on the main floor. You won't let him outsmart you like that this time. Last time he caught you he gave you the scar above your left temple as a reminder that he was in charge and he wouldn't be foiled again. Well you had foiled him. And you would never stop trying to get it right and disappear.

You make it to the washroom towards the back--it's the one designated for families so he would be less likely to assume you'd go in there. Last month you stashed a black wig and an emo outfit and makeup in the utility closet next door to it. You change quickly just like you've practiced. You know he's frantic now because he hasn't found you. You can't make any mistakes. You know what the consequences will be if you do. You may not make it out alive this time.

You ditch your old clothes in a vacant office and pull the fire alarm as you make your way towards the main exit. You don't look too closely at anyone which means he hopefully won't notice you and you have no idea where he is or if he's figured out what is going on.

You make it to the street corner. In a moment of weakness and terror, you look back to see if he's spotted you or if he's looking the wrong direction. Your eyes meet. You run.