The Past Between Us novel Chapter 7

|3 years ago|

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I jolted awake.

It took me a while to realize what had woken me.

It was happening again.

Mom and Dad were fighting. It was the third time this week.

I covered my ears with my hands as the shouts grew louder.

"Would you just listen to me for once Julie?" My father's voice bellowed.

"I don't want to listen to your lies Richard!" My mother screamed back.

That's it.

I jumped out of bed.

I needed to get out. I couldn't deal with this right now.

I quietly made my way out the back door.

I took in deep gulps of air.

I needed to run.

Without thinking I sprinted. I wasn't aware of my surroundings. It was like my legs had a mind of their own.

That's why I liked to run. Because it stopped me from thinking.

It stopped me from feeling.

My legs finally gave out from exhaustion and I collapsed to the ground. I felt the soft grass beneath me.

I took in my surroundings and I wasn't surprised when I found myself in the middle of the familiar clearing.

Somehow I usually ended up here whenever I was upset.

Hunter and I had found this place when we were kids, we hadn't told anyone about it for some reason. It was like our special hiding place.

The rustling sound of footsteps coming from behind me broke me out of my thoughts.

I didn't need to turn around to know it was him.

"Are you okay?" Hunter asked, concern lacing his voice.

"You're stalking me now?" I teased him lightly.

He chuckled. "You caught me there."

He sat down beside me. "I saw you running so I followed you here. You look upset."