PART 2 – CHAPTER 136
JESS
The sun blazed overhead as I ran along the familiar path, the warmth sinking into my skin. I loved this–the freedom, the solitude, the simple joy of my feet pounding against the dirt trail. Being back home, everything felt like it was falling into place. The bright, cloudless sky and the quiet of the natural reserve always made me feel… whole.
Still, something was lingering at the edge of my mind, a nagging sense that I was forgetting something important. But I shook it off. For now, it didn’t matter. I had two miles left to the lookout point, and nothing was going to ruin this run.
I pushed myself harder, feeling the delicious burn in my muscles, the adrenaline rushing through me with every step. My breath came in quick bursts, but it was controlled. I relished the way my body moved, how it felt like I could go on forever.
When I finally reached the lookout point, I stopped abruptly, doubling over and sucking in air. The sweat dripped down the sides of my face, and I let out a deep breath, slowly straightening as my heart rate began to settle. The view was breathtaking, as always. The dense forest stretched out below me, all lush greens, the sparkling blue of the river winding through it.
I loved it here–this place where the world seemed to pause for a moment. Up here, everything felt clearer, quieter. This was why I ran alone. I needed the peace, the silence, the space to
22.02
think.
But Luke would be as happy if he knew I’d myself. I rolled my eyes at the thought.
Come up here by
I laced my fingers behind my head, breathing deeply to calm my heart rate.
Then, without warning, a sharp pain sliced through my skull, so sudden that I gasped and clutched the sides of my head.
“Shit. Ow!” I dropped to my knees, the world tilting.
What the hell was happening?
My vision blurred, the edges of the world going dark as the pain intensified, pulsing behind my eyes like a migraine on steroids.
I squeezed my eyes shut, biting my lip to keep from crying out. as the stabbing sensation deepened, spreading across my head.
“Agh!” I groaned, hunched over, fighting to stay upright. The pain was unbearable, like my brain was being squeezed into a vice.
And then, just as suddenly as it had come, it was gone.
Breathing heavily, I blinked a few times, cautiously releasing my grip on my head. I was still kneeling on the ground, feeling dazed. What the hell was that?
Shaking off the dizziness, I slowly stood, dusting off my knees. Maybe I was
