Chapter 1: Taking The First Steps

My alarm blared through the silence and I instinctively slammed my hand down on the snooze button. Looked across at the time displayed on my clock. Sat up straight in bed and remembered why I had woken myself up at 2 o clock in the morning. Today was the day. It was finally going to happen. I got out from under the covers and silently dressed, psyching myself up for the big challenge that lay ahead of me. The challenge I had to face alone. Once dressed I put on my coat and grabbed my backpack, which would be all I had left in the world within a couple of minutes. That and the possesions it held inside. I crept out the back door and breathed in the fresh, cool air. One good thing about living in the country? The air is always fresh and clean. Shame I no longer live here. Well, not a shame really. This is how I planned it. I walked through the first few paddocks, quietly opening and shutting gates, leaving everything how it was. Then I ran. I ran and ran and ran like I've never run before. The cold air kept me going, it kept me alive. The darkness encouraged me, enticed me, invited me. And I ran towards it, excitement and adrenaline filling my whole body, with no room left to spare for nervousness. I had finally taken the first few steps. I had finally run away from my old life, to begin my new one. I shivered with anticipation as a thought bounced around inside my head. I couldn't stop thinking: 'my new life has begun.'