"Leave me alone!" I shout, running through the woods. Twigs snap and leaves crunch underneath my feat, as well as my pursuer's. I don't dare look back, because I know if I look back, he will get me. I catch sight of a large branch ahead, but I catch it too late. As I fall to the ground, his body lands on mine and he easily overpowers me, my slight frame writhing under his large mass. Just as I hear the click of his switchblade, my alarm clock begins its shrill cry.
Once I press snooze, I sigh with relief. It was just the reoccurring dream, with James. He catches me every time.
I shudder at the thoughts and memories. I suddenly get the chills and the hair on the back of my neck stands straight up, my senses heightened. I jump slightly as someone lightly taps on my door.
"Morning sweetie!" my mother pipes up. "Would you like me to make some pancakes real quick? Remember, our driver is coming at nine to take us to the airport."
"Sure, mom. And yeah, I know, I know," I mumble, still on edge. My mom trots down the hall, and I am left by myself.
7:30, my clock reads. One and a half hours until I leave sunny California for ugly, barren, Union Kentucky. In all of the 16 years of my life, I've never lived anywhere else but here. All of my friends, my relatives, my life, it's all here.
But I knew why we have to leave. Most people think it's because my mom wants to get away from the memories of my deadbeat dad, which is partially true. The real reason we need to leave is because the police told us that we need to get as far away from James as possible. We must also tell no one who doesn't absolutely have to know.
"Breakfast is ready!" my mother bellows down the hall. I look back at what used to be my room, everything in boxes, and allow myself to shed a tear. I regain my composure and skip down the hall playfully. As though I'm excited for the 'big move.' As though I'm OK with leaving my life behind forever.