Chapter 4- Running again

Elise’s POV — Morning

Elise jolted awake before the alarm.

Her heart struck her ribs in a heavy, uneven rhythm, reminding her she had slept too little again.

She pushed herself out of bed, forcing her aching body into motion.

Elise (thinking): Another day. Just keep moving. Don’t slow down.

She cooked breakfast mechanically, like a machine programmed to repeat the same motions.

Her mother walked in, already looking irritated.

Mom: “Good. You’re up. At least you’re useful.”

Elise: “I made eggs. And coffee. And your lunch.”

Mom: “Mm. Don’t burn anything this time.”

No thank you. No smile. Just expectation.

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Dad’s POV — Brief Moment

Dad grabbed his jacket from the chair, not even glancing at Elise.

Dad: “Bills are on the table. Pay them before noon.”

Dad (thinking): At least she does something productive around here. Saves me time.

He walked out before Elise could respond.

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Leo’s POV — Hurt

Leo stomped into the kitchen, dragging his schoolbag.

Leo: “You promised you’d help me with my project. You didn’t.”

Elise winced.

Elise: “I’m sorry, Leo. I had work. And… other things.”

Leo (pouting): “You always say that! You’re never here!”

Elise felt her breath catch painfully.

Elise (thinking): I’m trying. I really am.

But she didn’t defend herself. She never did.

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Elise’s POV — Midday at Work

Her manager eyed her with disapproval.

Manager: “Elise, you’re late. Again.”

Elise: “I’m sorry. I had to—”

Manager: “Excuses. Customers are complaining you zone out a lot. Fix it.”

Her knees wobbled. A sudden wave of dizziness washed over her.

She grasped the counter.

Elise (thinking): Please… not now.

But she steadied herself.

She always did.

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Adrian’s POV — Waiting Again

Adrian stood outside her workplace holding a paper bag.

Inside was Elise’s favorite lunch.

He waited.

And waited.

Adrian (thinking): She said she’d be on break at two. It’s almost three.

Finally, Elise stepped out, pale and trembling.

He smiled gently.

Adrian: “I brought you food. You skipped breakfast again, didn’t you?”

Elise blinked, taken by surprise.

Elise: “Adrian… you didn’t have to.”

Adrian: “I wanted to. You look exhausted.”

She flinched.

Elise: “I’m fine. Really.”

But she wasn’t. He knew it.

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Adrian’s POV — Confrontation

He handed her the lunch.

Adrian: “You’re fading, Elise. You’re canceling everything. You look like you’re barely standing.”

Her shoulders tensed.

Elise: “I said I’m fine.”

Adrian: “Then why won’t you talk to me? Why do you keep running from me?”

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

Elise (thinking): Because if I tell you… you’ll try to save me. And I can’t be saved.

Elise: “I’m just busy.”

Adrian: “Elise. I’m worried about you.”

She looked down.

Elise: “Don’t be. I’ll handle it.”

Adrian’s jaw clenched.

Adrian (thinking): Handle what? What are you hiding?

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Elise’s POV — Evening Responsibilities

She rushed home after work, ignoring the burning sensation in her chest.

Her mother shoved a list into her hands.

Mom: “Groceries. Pay the electric bill. Then pick up Leo. I’m tired.”

Elise: “But I just got home—”

Mom: “Elise. Don’t start. You know we rely on you.”

Rely.

Not care about you.

Not are you okay.

Just demand after demand.

Elise nodded silently and left again.

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Leo’s POV — Watching Her Break

Leo watched his sister from the passenger seat as she drove him home.

Her hands shook on the steering wheel.

Leo: “Elise… are you okay?”

She smiled weakly.

Elise: “I’m good. Just tired.”

But Leo saw something new.

A kind of sadness he had never noticed before.

Leo (thinking): She’s lying. She’s breaking and no one sees it.

He looked out the window, guilt eating him alive.

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Adrian’s POV — The Unsent Message

At home, Adrian typed a message:

Adrian (text): Tell me what’s wrong. Please. I’m here.

He hovered over “send”.

Then deleted it.

Adrian (thinking): If I push too hard, she’ll run farther. But if I don’t… I might lose her anyway.

He exhaled shakily.

Adrian: “Elise… what are you carrying?”

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Elise’s POV — Nightfall

By the time she returned home, everyone was asleep.

Except her.

She sat on her bed and opened her secret notebook.

Her pen trembled as she wrote.

Elise (writing):

“I’m running again. Faster than ever. For Mom. For Dad. For Leo. For Adrian.

But I’m not running toward anything.

Just away from the truth.

My time is slipping through my fingers. And no one knows.

No one sees me.”

A tear blurred the ink.

She wiped it quickly.

Elise (thinking): If I don’t keep moving… everything will fall apart.

She closed the notebook.

Tomorrow, she would run again.

She always did.

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