Previous: 02 The First Turn
This story contains themes suitable for adults. Please proceed only if you are 18+
“People run all the time. But no one can outrun the truth.”
Quiet Pressure Thrillers
J.E. Nickerson
Sarah took a breath, the cold air stinging like needles in her throat.
“I can’t believe it, Sarah. You and Katie.” The memory of Harold’s words still cut deep. “I didn’t want to believe it… we have a family. A daughter.”
Sarah pushed her legs to go faster, feet pounding the pavement in a steady rhythm.
“It’s not what you think,” she had told him, though the words had sounded flat as soon as they left her mouth. “Lots of people—lots of couples—”
“Who are you?” Harold had shaken his head. “Who did I marry?”
A single tear slipped down Sarah’s face, freezing against her skin in the winter morning.
She slowed to a stop by the railing, letting several other runners pass behind her. She propped her leg up on the metal bar and leaned forward. The stretch burned through her thighs and calves. She held it, then switched to the other leg.
When she looked back up at the trail, she saw Katie’s familiar form approaching from the bridge, her pace steady. Sarah crossed her arm over her chest, holding herself still.
As Katie drew closer, Sarah’s heart rate spiked. Not from the running.
“I’m glad you came,” Katie said, slowing to a walk. Her breath came in short gasps, condensation between them.
Sarah nodded but kept her eyes down.
Katie stepped closer and brushed a strand of hair from Sarah’s face. “Hey. It’s going to be okay.”
Sarah didn’t answer.
Katie leaned in and pressed her forehead against Sarah’s. Warmth against cold air.
“We’ll get through this.”
Sarah froze for a moment, then pulled Katie into a hug. It didn’t hold. She let go.
“I can’t… I don’t think I can do this.”
Katie held her gaze. “Shh. We don’t have to figure it all out right now. You came. That’s what matters.”
Sarah shook her head slowly.
“I haven’t told them everything. My daughter—she needs to know. I can’t just—”
Quiet Pressure Thrillers
Step into the world of Quiet Pressure Thrillers — where every choice has consequences, and no one walks away unchanged. For Mature Audiences Only. Enter the series at https://wearewisethinkers.com/welcome-to-the-world-of-quiet-pressure-thrillers/
Discover more from We Are Wise Thinkers
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
We Are Wise Thinkers 
One thought on “Some People can’t outrun their past—The Meeting A Quiet Pressure Short”
Comments are closed.