“Terra, huh?” Claude said as we drove through another round-a-bout.

“I think it’s something like that.” I held my head in my hands and waited for the throbbing to dull.

But thinking about it too much makes my head hurt.

“It suits you, Terra means earth, and you’re pretty down to earth if you ask me.”

I scoffed and rested my throbbing head against the window, “based on the thirty minutes that you’ve known me you’ve already decided who I am.”

“Oh come on, people aren’t that hard to read.”

Yes they are.

“No, no they’re not.” I lied.

“So, based on the thirty minutes that you have known me, what do you think about me?” Claude teased as the car pulled off the main road into the bus station.

“Fishing for compliments are we?” I sighed and pushed back into the seat as he parked the car.

“Bigger the compliment, the more money I’ll give you,” Claude retorted with a grin.

“You’re suspicious, and I don’t trust you because you’re helping me for no real reason. But you did help me, and you have taken me to the bus stop, so I guess you’re okay.”

“Be still my beating heart,” Claude scoffed with as much sarcasm as he can muster. “I see you’re not one for compliments.”

“So, what’s that worth? A twenty?” I picked up my shoes from the floor.

“More like a five,” Claude chuckled and pulled out his wallet, “here.”

I gasped as I stared at the money in his hand. “Is that everything you have in your wallet?”

“About five-hundred dollars or so,” Claude shrugged, “it should keep you going for a little while.”

“I can’t take this.” I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth.

I need the money, why did I say that?

“You’re clearly running from someone, even though you don’t know why. I get it.” Claude gave me a genuine smile and pushed the money toward me.

“Why are you really helping me?” I asked trying to read his face.

“You remind me of someone, and you look like you need the help.”

“I don’t need anyone’s help,” I snapped in annoyance. “I would have been just fine on my own.”

“Of course,” Claude agreed, “I don’t doubt your capabilities. But, if you ever need help again, uh, just give me a call, okay?” Claude handed me a scrap of paper with his name and number printed on it.

“Thanks, I will,” I lied as I tucked the card and the money into my pockets. “See ya probably never.”

“Bye.” Claude gave me a half wave as I got out of the car and closed the door. I quickly scampered across the boiling hot asphalt into the shade. The bottom of my feet burned, but the sensation was slowly subsiding. I should have thought about putting my shoes on before I got out of the car. I turned to see the black Commodore was gone and sighed in relief. Finally, I’d met some decent people who didn’t want to kill me, even if I only gave him a chance out of necessity.

I sat on the shaded side of the bench, placing my socks and shoes on the sunny side to continue drying. The afternoon sun was incredibly hot. I looked around the empty bus station and noticed there was no one else around. With a frown I tried not to worry about it too much.

If anything, it’s a good sign.

I sighed and gazed at the main road. A car’s silver paint glittered under the sun as it drove towards the bus stop. Panic began building in my chest.

No, there was no way, that couldn’t be.

I jumped off the bench, grabbing my shoes and socks. Slipping my damp socks onto my feet and then my shoes. The car continued to approach as I checked my surroundings. A fenced off area that looked like a school was behind me. A pine plantation was on the other side of the road. I knew I wouldn’t make the fence in time. They could’ve just drove through it and ran me over.

I sprint across the road and into the pine plantation, knowing it was best option. I heard the car rev as they sped up. My feet pounded against the ground as I darted into the tree line and weaved between them. As I ran through the plantation I notice there’s a pattern to the trees. The car skidded to a halt. I heard the doors slamming shut behind me. They’re pursuing on foot.

I might be able to outrun them.

The trees are planted in rows, but if I followed the rows of the pines I’d have only made it easier for them to catch me. I was smaller and lighter than my pursuers, so weaving between the tree trunks should have slowed them down. Even if they had longer legs than me. My chest tightened as the fear crawled under my skin, slowly being replaced by adrenaline.

I don’t want to get caught.

I told myself to keep running through the pines. I heard them shouting behind me. I didn’t dare glance over my shoulder. If I had, I would’ve risked running into a tree, and the pines were planted less than a meter apart. To my dismay, through the trunks of the pines, I saw a river of white. A fire break.

Damnit!

I gritted my teeth together as I broke from the safety of the tree line and onto white sand. Fire breaks are mandatory for all private and public property that house bush or large sections of trees. One white sand I was an obvious target. Dodging the sticks in the sand and trying to run across the more stable parts, I made it into the next section of pines and weaved my way through the trees.

The only sound I could hear was my panting and my feet hitting the ground. I slowed my pace to a jog and ran between the rows of pines so I could glance over my shoulder. No one was in sight. Panting hard, I slowed to a stop and checked my surroundings. I couldn’t see them. Where did they go?

Taking in deep and steady breaths, I tried to calm my breathing. There was no wind, there were no voices, just the still quiet. With laboured breaths I decided to change direction. Walking to the north, Elijah’s word pop into my head.

“You’re more than welcome to stay…”

“The door is always open.”

If I recalled correctly, his home was to the North from the bus stop. My brow furrowed as I thought about returning, then I pushed it out of my thoughts. If these women were still chasing me, whatever they were, I shouldn’t lead them to other peoples houses. It would’ve just put Elijah and his family at risk. I decided I had to deal with this myself and now.

As the pines passed by I noticed a snapped branch sticking out of the trunks. The sharp jagged edges gave me an idea. I snapped off the broken branch and twirled it in my hands, its weight felt natural. A perfect stake.