I stood in line to board the the bus, counting the change in my pockets and pulling up my pants, they were still damp. I sighed in frustration at how slowly the line was moving and ran my hand through my hair, also damp. I finally stepped onto the bus slipping my crumpled ticket into the box and took a seat in the back, near the second set of doors.

   I pulled the hood of my jacket over my head, far enough so no one could see my face. I pressed my forehead against the cold window, my heart was still racing. A wave of relief washed over me when I hear the doors of the bus hissing as they shut. I relaxed a bit, leaning back in my chair, I realized my cool composure came too quickly when I saw the tall dark figure slam its fists against the front doors of the bus.

   There were worried whispers as the driver opened the doors and began a heated but inaudible conversation with the mysterious man.

   I stood, panic engulfing me again, how could he have found me? I rushed down the isle to the back door and pryed them open, glancing back up toward the front of the bus where my fate was angrily looking for me.

   I stepped out onto the pavement and sprinted to the small restroom around the corner. I sighed with relief as the bus pulled away. There was no sign of him, he must've got on the bus thinking I was still there.

   I collected myself and began walking down the road, looking down at my dirty sneakers, there was still water collected in the bottom of them.

   I'd only been walking a minute when I ran into him.

   “I'm sorry sir.” I said, regaining my balance.

   I looked up and I was nose to nose with him, staring into his dark eyes.

   “Surprise.” He whispered as something smashed into the back of my skull.

*****

   I woke with my hoodie balled up in his fist with my feet dangling off the bridge over the raging river.

   “Please no! Not again!” I cried to him, wrapping my fingers around his wrists.

   “I don't know how you escaped me the first time,” he growled, “ but it isn't happening again.”

   He thrusted his arms forward and released his grip on me. The cold, rushing water swallowed me as I saw him watch me go under.