Esme's feet smacked against the pavement, small jolts shooting up her legs from the rhythmic impacts. Her regular old sneakers weren't built for running but she hadn't anticipated needing to go for a run that morning. After all the activity last night she should have been too sore and exhausted to move. But when she'd fallen out of bed her first thought had been to get moving.

The longer she'd ignored the urger the stronger it had gotten. Eventually it had grown an edge of panic to it and she'd given her parents the briefest hello before dashing out the door into the predawn air. Between the chill in the air and the movement she seemed to so desperately crave, her mind calmed and the panic receded.

Even the ache in her knees subsided with the constant movement. She'd done her best not to look at them this morning. Esme had cleaned and bandaged them the night before, but they'd need more attention later. She shook herself, willing the unpleasant thought away.

Still, something tugged at the edges of her thoughts. It was like there was something she should know or do but what that was hovered just out of reach. Esme pushed herself faster as if to get away from the nagging worry. Maybe she wasn't running from answers, but towards them. They were right there. Just a little faster. A little more.

She nearly tripped over herself when a car zipped by with its engine roaring. It buzzed down the street and out of sight while she bent over double with her hands on her knees. Her watch beeped out an alarm telling her it was time to wake up and get ready for work. Waking up she had managed. Getting to work was another story. She'd considered calling out, but she needed a distraction.

Reluctantly, she turned to head back to her parents' home. There ought to be waffles waiting by now and she supposed she could be a little late. Waffles were worth it. Maybe there'd even be time for a cup of coffee and a morning catch up with her mom.

Esme lowered her eyes to the pavement immediately, trying to pretend she didn't see the black van idling at the corner. She bent down to tie her shoe and snuck a look at it from under the visor of her cap. There, in the front seat. She recognized him as one of the men from the bar. Apparently, a chair across the back wasn't enough of a hint to stay away. Being thrown through the door might have gotten the point across better.

She dusted off her knees as she rose, keeping her eyes away from the car. All she had to do was get past them. They were on the other side of the street, far enough that she could slip past and down a few back roads and over the back fence of the school. There was a chance they already knew where she was going and would be waiting but as long as they didn't catch her, she was peachy.

A rough hand grabbed her shoulder, and she grabbed the wrist, pulling forward and pushing her hips into theirs so they bent forward across her back. She rolled forward, dragging them along. They both hit the floor, but Esme was back on her feet and running before they'd managed to get their breath back. She didn't stop till she'd landed on the other side of the school fence and dropped to her hands and knees.

The cold grass blade poked at her palms, coating them in a layer of morning dew. Her ears were ringing over the pounding of her heart. Everything in her was still screaming run but her jelly legs were down for the count. It was all becoming too much. The texts, the running, the guys in the bar, Easton hovering over her trying to get her attention-

"Easton?" Esme stumbled back, sitting in the wet grass. She hadn't even heard him walk up. How hadn't his shiny loafers squeaked in the grass?

He approached her slowly, his hand held out like he was expecting her to nuzzle it. "Hey Essie, it's just me," he whispered.

Esme slapped his hand away, clambering to her feet. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to check on you, saw you running off and followed you. Are you ok?" He offered her a bottle of water and grinned when she took it. The way he looked her over should have disgusted her, but it somehow calmed her nerves instead. He couldn't know that though.

"I'm fine creep," she snapped. How many people were following her anyway? She swiveled her head side to side looking for hidden cameras. You could hide those things anywhere these days. "Now why are you really here? You could have just called."

"You weren't answering your phone agent," he argued.

Esme narrowed her eyes, taking a step away from him even as she leaned towards him. "What did you say?"

"Nothing, forget it," he sighed. "You should get home before anyone else comes looking for you." Easton gave her a curt nod and walked off towards and open gate she hadn't noticed in her panicked run. His head swiveled side to side much the same way she'd been doing since the previous night. What did Easton have to look out for? Probably Paula.

After a few minutes she followed and walked as quickly as her tired muscles would allow. The grass caused her some trouble, making her slip slide on her unsteady feet until she reached the steady concrete. Hopefully there were no early morning janitors making their rounds. She caught one last glimpse of Easton slipping down a side street. Esme went the opposite way, the water bottle clenched in her hands.