Sam-

I’ve been on the run for a while now and I don't know how much longer I can stand this. I'm starting to run out of money and at this point I’ll have to start sleeping under trees instead of in motels. Not that the places I’ve been staying are much better but they have a roof and walls which I guess is nicer than being outside. The nightmares have also gotten worse I see my mom murdered right in front of me almost evey night and these days I hardly sleep at all. I'm not sure what I'm going to do next and spend a lot of time telling myself it's going to be ok. it's not working. Things aren't getting better and I'm running out of places I can go. I don't know what I'm going to do next. The days are blurring together and I'm terrified that I’ll wake up and he’ll be there waiting for me.

I yawn and rub my eyes before closing the door to my motel room and walking to the front desk. I placed the room keys on the desk and walked out of the rundown building. That was the last of my money, I sigh, I guess I'm sleeping outside tonight. I jog towards the woods at the edge of the town I'd been staying in. 

I got there a little while later and walked around. Being outside always makes me feel better but it's not much help today. I rub my temples before quickly shifting and deciding I need a run. The second my paws touch the ground I'm off. I sprint through the trees feeling the soft soil under my paws and the wind in my hair. I wish I could stay like this forever. I Stumble upon a small clearing and lay down the grass softly brushing my fur. I'm so tired I can't do this any more. I struggle to keep myself as open as sleep starts to over take me. I can't sleep here, I dully think before drifting off.

My eyes flutter open and I find myself in a field of flowers. They sway in the wind as I reach down to smell one. I hear footsteps behind me and slowly turn around. A figure walks towards me and my breath catches in my throat. 

 “Mom?” I called as the figure approached me. “Mom!” I sprint towards her and jump into her arms.

“Sammy!” she smiles as she calls my name, her hands snaking around my waist to hug me. “what's wrong why are you crying” She lifts my head and wipes my tears with her thumb. “You're safe here sammy.”  I look at her and press my face into her shoulder breathing in her smell. She hugs me and spins around flower petals flying in the wind around us. She softly sets me down and smiles at me as she pulls me into a tight hug.

“I missed you” I choke out, my sobbs muffled by her clothing. She runs her fingers through my hair and pulls me closer. Her warmth surrounding me.

“Me too sammy. Me too.” The sky darkens and her hands loosen around me. “I really missed you.” I freeze, my eyes widening. Its not my mom's voice talking anymore. I look up and meet the eyes of the man I never wanted to see again. The sky shifts and suddenly I'm on the ground surrounded by terrible thorny weeds. Hands clamp down on my neck and squeeze. I thrash gasping for air.

“W-what? Mom?!” She smiles at me as dark bruises start to form on my neck. She stands behind the man strangling me. I reach out for her tears streaming down my face. “Mom please! Mom!” sobs rake through my body and I struggle to breath. “Please stop! Mom!” I scream, staring at her as the man above me tightens his grip. My gaze turns to him and cold sweat drips down my back. He smiles and looks down at me.

“You're doing such a good job sammy!” he says, looking at me. “Just a little longer and she’ll never breathe again!” All of a sudden the world spins and I'm on top of my mom. My hands are on her throat crushing her airways. I scream as more sobbes rake my body. My hands won't move, I can't let go! She starts to foam at the mouth as tears slide down her cheeks. She reaches up and strokes my cheek.

“I love you sammy.” she rasps out. Then her eyes glaze over and she stills. She's not breathing. My hands release her throat and I scream. I fall off her to the ground and clutch my head.

“I didn't kill her! It's not my fault.” I scream, clawing at my face. “It wasn't me. It wasn't me. IT WASN'T ME.”