Her breath comes out in pants, rain drops splash in her eyes, and still she runs on. She runs to escape him, to escape what he did, to escape herself and her thoughts. Running clears her mind, nothing to focus on but the intake of breath- inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale- and the placement of her feet- left, right, left, right. As Rose nears the edge of the lake she slows her steps and finally comes to a stop. Breathing hard, she bends over at the waist and rests her hands on her thighs, catching her breath. Standing up in a stretch Rose shakes her legs out and makes her way to the bench nestled between the two oak trees to escape the rain. She sits and watches the other runners, wondering where they're running to and what they're running from. Rose thought the run would help, but nothing ever helps to escape the pain, to escape him. Frustrated with herself Rose blows a hard breath out of her nose, stands up and makes her way back home, looking forward to the hot shower that awaits her.

Standing in front of the mirror Rose wipes the condensation away with the palm of her hand, clearing a path to see her reflection. It's been two years but still she looks the same, the same face with clear almond-coloured skin, deep-set chocolate brown eyes, and soft pink lips. The same hair so dark brown it looks black, which flows in curling cascades down her shoulders and ends with a flip at her lower back. The same lithe body with the eye-catching curves designed to make men crazy. The only changes visible to Rose is the dragon tattoo which runs the length of her ribs, starting at the bottom of her right breast and curving its way down to end at her hip; and the haunted look in her eyes, which she successfully hides from everyone but herself. Shivering, Rose wraps herself in a towel and sits on the tiled bathroom floor, unable stop the memories of where it all began…