Hi there :) This is my first try at writing a story. It ended up being much longer than I anticipated, so I'm making this the first chapter of a few installments instead of just doing one chapter. Please let me know what you think. I'm open to any editing, comments on my style, or tips on where you think this should go. There will be multiple men, and BDSM elements throughout the story, I just haven't gotten to the erotica part yet. "Yet" being the emphasis ;) Hope you enjoy!
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My long auburn ponytail swayed, loosely brushing against my back and hitting my elbows as I ran. The lake was cool and calm to my right, with slow ripples reflecting the warm sunset and the mountains, and the skate park ahead of me was quiet in the warm dusk. Since the weather had warmed, making the short drive to the lake then running around it had become my routine. It was a pleasant change from the monotony of the treadmill and stifling heat of the workout room at my apartment complex.
One, two, one, two, one, two. The steady beat of my sneakers against the concrete trail had finally progressed to a rhythm I was proud of. The treadmill told me it was at seven miles an hour the last time I had run on it. It wasn't a difficult pace for me to maintain any more. Popping up and forward off of my toes, I swung my knee forward and upward from the hip, easily keeping an open, steady stride. Yes, I was very proud of my pace. It yielded eight-minute miles, and my stamina had increased dramatically.
As I passed the empty skate park and crossed the footbridge over the small canal, I felt the familiar pressure in my lungs, and burning building in my legs. It was almost the end of my second straight mile, and I longed for my headphones to fill my ears with music and give me the inspiration to push through the burn. But my brothers, parents, and several self-defense and martial arts instructors had imprinted on my mind how dangerous it was to run with headphones in. It deprived my body of one of my senses, something I didn't like anyway, so it didn't bother me too much, other than wistfulness for extra motivation.
My breathing became more ragged and labored as it became harder to keep up my free-swinging stride. A glance at my watch told me that if I maintained my pace to the end of the lake, my two miles today would be just under sixteen minutes. Ah, there was my motivation. Filling my lungs deeply with each breath, I was winded and glad to slow my pace to an open walk by the time I rounded the lake and reached the playground.
Stopping briefly at my car, I grabbed my water bottle and light jacket before continuing walking to cool down. It may be late April, but the evenings still get chilly once the sun disappears behind the mountains like it is now. The magnificent oranges, golds, and pinks that had lit the clouds aflame like cotton balls soaked in kerosene were fading to dull greys, and the purple mountains had become black silhouettes along the horizon. I sipped from my water bottle as I turned onto the trail winding through the trees, enjoying the fatigue in my quads and calves, and the rare silence of the small park.
Placing my water bottle on the ground, I stopped a moment to stretch my legs a bit before I continued my walk. As I bent over, a cool breeze tickled up my shorts, and I wished for more cover on my legs. The stretch in my hamstrings burned, and the relief as I stood was short lived when I felt a strong arm around my waist. My reflexes were fast from riding horses and sparring, and as I spun to my right, I struck out with the side of my right fist, hoping to land a lucky blow. It missed, so I followed up with a kick launched from my left leg, aiming at his head. This blow connected, and he dropped like a rock onto the concrete path.
The fatigue in my legs and lungs was gone as adrenaline flooded my system. It was almost a half-mile back around the lake to get to my car, but I sprinted as fast as I could to try and get to my phone before my assailant pursued me further. Over my own panicked breathing and fast footsteps, I could hear more masculine panting and heavier tread behind me. Not letting my pace slow, I launched forward with each stride. But the intense adrenaline was fading, and fear began to cloud my thinking as my fatigued muscles begged for reprieve. I couldn't make it to my car while taking the trail - my body was too exhausted. Could I cut across the drainage canal? The sides were steep, nearly vertical, but if I ran along the bottom of it for a bit before climbing out, I might be able to make a shortcut to my car.
The footsteps behind me sounded closer as it became impossible to maintain my sprint, and I felt a whimper escape my lips. Turning right onto the grass, I slowed my pace to set up my jump into the ditch. Motion from my left caught my eye, and I slammed to a stop, bracing myself for impact. Time seemed to slow as I felt his body slam into mine, and I launched my elbow upwards into his chin as his momentum carried us both to the ground. My stop had caught him unprepared though, and I rolled into the fall to pop back onto my feet. Not sparing a glance backwards, I sprinted to the ditch and dropped down into the dark pit.
Light had completely faded, and I realized what a terrible idea trying to run through the drainage canal was. The ground was uneven, and without any light, I couldn't see the rocks at my feet or any handholds to climb back out. Since I couldn't run any more, my only option was to hide if I could. Fumbling blindly, my hand groped along the side for a depression in the dirt wall. There was none.
A darker patch further ahead caught my eye, and I could just make out the shape of tangled brambles. It wasn't much, but it was my only option. Moving as quickly as I could towards the dark patch, I heard low voices echoing above me. They weren't shouting, which would draw attention to the park, attention I desperately needed. Branches scratched my pale legs as I pushed through the brambles to the dirt wall of the canal. Once I reached the mud, I smeared what was on my hands onto my legs and hoped it would break up my silhouette enough to escape notice. The brambles didn't provide much cover, but, fortunately for me, my jacket was a dull brown and wouldn't draw the attention of my pursuers.