Still bleeding. Put pressure on it, hold it tight – shouldn’t have to, it’s not a serious wound. I know that if I don’t get it to stop bleeding that they’re going to find me. I’m so tired. Running, hiding, running again. If only I could sleep. Rain, that’s what I need. It would hide my scent for a while. It would even keep any of them from seeing me. Not even the dark does that. Useless wishes, might as well wish this never happened.

It’s not safe in the houses, too many ways to trip up. But there is a crawl space under that front porch! Yes! I can just wiggle in between the supports…pull the skirting back into place behind me. Safe, for now. Perhaps I can sleep for a bit – better lay on my side, don’t need to be snoring. I should have listened to the notices and got out of town while I could. Even if the roads were jammed, I could have ridden a bicycle and got farther away that I am now. I’m such a fool.

What’s that sound? Quiet, don’t breath – stop shaking! “Bastard! Let go! Get off of me! Help! Help!”