The Middle of Nowhere

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:31 am

"Or I figured it out on my own," Erik said glumly. "Living with my uncle really brought that out." He flinched when he mentioned his uncle, fear entering his eyes.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:51 am

-Ok,I said.Let's stop talking about that.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Sun Apr 15, 2012 2:54 am

Erik nodded, looking away, ashamed at himself for acting like a kid in front of her.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:02 am

He was looking weird.

-Are you ok?I asked him.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:03 am

"Yeah," Erik muttered, trying to get a grip on himself. He couldn't fall apart now. Not with Christine here.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Sun Apr 15, 2012 3:28 am

I took his hand and pulled him up.

-Stand up,I told him.Do you want to race?

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:00 am

Erik drew his brows together in a quizzical expression. "Again?" he teased lightly as she pulled him up. "You've already beat me once and I would think that you could do it again."

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:02 am

-Running race,I told him with a big smile.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:11 am

"Oh," Erik said, feeling dumb. "Er... sure." Running was the only place he excelled, but he didn't want to pit himself against Christine, he wouldn't take any satisfaction from it.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:13 am

-Until were?I asked him.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:18 am

"Don't matter to me," Erik said, surveying the trees. "You chose."

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:23 am

I saw a tree away from the others.

-Until there?I said.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:24 am

"Sure," Erik said, thinking that that distance was easily run. "There and back, or just to the tree?" he questioned, smiling crookedly at her.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:28 am

-There and back,I said.Strart counting.

I was hoping that run will make him happier than he was.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:31 am

"Runners, take your marks," Erik said. He drew a line on the ground with his sneaker. "Get set." He assumed a starting position and turned his head to look at her. "Go." And then he was flying.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:34 am

I started ruunning behind him.He was too fast.I continue running with all my power.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:41 am

Tree. Turn. Slow then speed up as you make the turn. And back, he thought. Erik had always been able to trust legs to carry him away when he'd needed to escape, to get away from it all. When they were looking for him, he had always run. Fast. Get the heck out of there before he could be taken back. There was no way he was going back there... not unless they caught him first. And then he was back. And Christine? Dang it all. He'd forgotten her in the run. He turned.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:43 am

I turned and start running back.Eric was in frond of me.He turned.

-What?I said.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:45 am

Erik ducked his head with a shy smile. He pointed to the ground. He still hadn't crossed the crude finish line.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:51 am

It was the last few metters."Maybe"I thought and startn running fasster.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:53 am

With a grin, Erik took a step back, crossing the line. He executed a quick, well-formed bow. "A fine day for the race," he commented, coming back up.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:55 am

I slowed down and crossed the line.

-1 and 1,I said and tryied to breathe.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:59 am

Erik felt bad for letting this play out this way. "You okay?" he asked, bending down. He wasn't even out of breath, he generally ran longer distances in truth and in them, there was definitely a defining element of desperation. It had been different now. Running just for the sake of running.

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:02 am

-That....was.....AMAZING!I said.How can you run so fast?

Subject: Re: The Middle of Nowhere Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:37 am

"I've had to," Erik replied. "Hard work, practice, determination... they all pay off." Especially if you're desperate, he thought bitterly. Desperation can lend you wings.