Hit, Run and Hide

Chapter 1   Life as I knew it was going to change. Everything that was normal was going to change, well what I thought was normal anyway. What was normal anyway? All I knew from this day forward what I had considered as a simple normal life was gone and I now had to adapt to a new normal, living in the shadows, hiding. My days would now become my nights and the nights my days where I would be free to move safely and hopefully undetected. Two years later, I stood on the balcony and looked over the city buildings only to be met by the ocean in awe. It was so magnificent, the dark morning ocean air was fresh and the city was finally quiet - I will never get tired of this view I told myself as it was one of the reasons, I picked this apartment. I had been in limbo for far too many months and although emotionally drained was totally excited, yet cautious for the prospects of the future. Surrounded by boxes the question was where to start. I had plenty of time but I wanted to unpacked methodically so I knew exactly where everything was. With my Beats, the most amazing headphones on just loud enough to be able to hear any outside noise, I went to work on the new normal. By the time I had finished the majority of the unpacking the sun was setting and the hustle and bustle below was starting to disperse to where ever they go. It was time for me to venture out and get my bearings plus pick up staples and supplies. By the time I had a shower it would be fully dark by since it was a 24 hours city there would be plenty of people still out and then I could move about more freely. A wave of panic washed over my body…it had been 2 years and there had been no sign surely, I am safe. Calming myself I started to make a list of things of items to purchase. I really did not need a list -I had done this first shop each and every time I moved which must be at least 20 times. Dressed in a cap, hoodie, jeans and tennis shoes I looked at myself and scolded myself – in this outfit I would not only stand out but sweat to death. I was in Hawaii – who dresses for winter? Exchanging the jeans for denim shorts and the hoodie for a t-shirt whilst keeping the cap I was satisfied that I would blend much better. Ideally, I should be in flip flops but has anyone tried to run in them – impossible. Grabbing my keys and one of the last possessions of my past, my cherished LV crossover bag I headed out the door. The hallway was quiet but that wasn’t unusual as most tourists would be in their rooms getting ready to hit the town. I still checked the hallway for signs of activity but all I got was silence. I walked to the elevator and hesitated before pushing the button – maybe I should take the stairs at least there was options should I need them. Walking back to the Emergency Exit I smiled to myself – I really could freak myself out so easily, but I still took the stairs. I excited to the side of the building and made note of the surrounding laneways and streets to my left. To my right was the main strip and the beach. I crossed the road to the beach and watched the sun begin to set over the ocean. It was truly paradise - absolutely breath taking. Lost in the visual beauty I was startled by a tap on my shoulder. In panic mode I jumped back ready to defend myself only to be faced with a middle-aged woman with her phone extended towards me motioning to me to take a picture of her and her husband both wearing matching Hawaiian prints, her dress and his shirt against the sunset. Relaxing, I took the phone and snapped a few happy snaps and handed it back and quickly moved on. Walking beach side, I was able to focus on the sunset that had me totally mesmerized. The air was still warm and there was a buzz of tourists rushing back to there hotels to examine how burnt they got and to get ready for any evening activities. As I watched it made me feel lonely. I wonder if I would ever have a friend again…probably too dangerous especially with all the social media out there, I’d worked so hard to get here that I wasn’t about to jeopardize it all because I wanted a friend. I know that they would never stop trying to find me, he would never stop…because if he could not have me then he would not let anyone else. He had eyes everywhere…